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Coulter BME Faculty Earn Top Institute Honors and Advance in Academic Ranks

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May 27, 2026 | By Leeanna Allen
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A row of clear glass award plaques arranged on a table in the foreground, with more plaques laid flat beside them and a blurred event setup in the background.
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Coulter BME faculty were recently honored at Georgia Tech's annual Faculty and Staff Awards Luncheon.
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The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering is proud to recognize faculty honored at the Georgia Tech Faculty and Staff Honors Awards, as well as those who have achieved recent career promotions. 

Lakshmi “Prasad” Dasi, Ph.D. and Rozelle Vanda Wesley Professor received the Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation Award. Dasi is a recognized researcher and entrepreneur in cardiovascular science and technology. His work focuses on moving innovations from academic laboratories into practical, real-world commercial solutions. 

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Lakshmi “Prasad” Dasi, recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation Award

Edward Botchwey, Ph.D. was honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Research Engagement and Outreach Award. Botchwey’s research explores how the body’s natural signaling molecules can be used to guide healing. His lab develops innovative materials and therapies that guide the immune system toward repair, with the goal of advancing next-generation regenerative medicine. 

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Edward Botchwey, recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Research Engagement and Outreach Award

Mark Prausnitz, Ph.D., Regents' Professor and J. Erskine Love, Jr. Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and BME program faculty member received the Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award, the highest honor given to a Georgia Tech professor. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching, research, and service. 

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Mark Prausnitz, Ph.D., (left) receives the Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award from David Joyner, Associate Dean for Off-Campus and Special Initiatives

In addition, the Georgia Tech Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty recognized Coulter BME research faculty who earned promotions this spring.  

Rachel Pitts Hall: Promoted to Senior Academic Professional 

Thangam Natarajan: Promoted to Research Engineer II 

Larissa Doudy: Promoted to Research Technologist II 

Soojung Lee and Anthony Lien: Promoted to Senior Research Scientist 

These recognitions reflect the continued impact and leadership of Coulter BME faculty, whose work drives innovation in biomedical engineering and strengthens the department’s academic mission. 

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RELATED STORY: Honoring Faculty Promotions, Spring 2026

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