Kanthi Lewis

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media Profile

“Targeted drug delivery to specific sites in the body is of particular significance for patients suffering from osteoporosis, a condition which is on the increase around the world including in Australia and the United States. This is largely due to the ageing population and currently costs $A131.5 million a year in medication subsidies in Australia alone.”

Kanthi Lewis has received a 2007 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to undertake research at New York University into the factors which can be utilised to enhance bone formation, in order to prevent bone degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis. This work will be towards the PhD in Science she is currently undertaking at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) through a UTS Doctoral Scholarship.

“I will study how to alter the way that calcium phosphates precipitate, and I plan to do this in an environment simulating the natural bone,” explains Kanthi. “This is done using simulated body fluid, hydroxyapatite (Hap) coated substrates as a precipitation surface, and the inclusion of functional groups to mimic bone proteins.”

“The USA is one of the world’s leading countries in the research of calcium phosphates and apatites, particularly in bone and dental research. Professor LeGeros at New York University (NYU) is recognised worldwide as one of the best in the field and studying in the USA will also give me the opportunity to access world class facilities such as the synchotron in Berkeley, California to expand the scope of my project."

“This research will be part of an ongoing collaboration between NYU and UTS supported by a joint ARC research grant. My work and experience will allow me to bring additional specific expertise back to our research group in Sydney. I am also looking forward to participating in the wider bone research community by becoming involved in the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, and on return to Australia, hope to present my work at the upcoming International Bone and Mineral Society meeting in Sydney.”

Kanthi completed a Bachelor of Applied Science with First Class Honours from UTS, Sydney in 2006, where she was recognised with an Australasian Ceramic Society Scholarship, the Deans Merit List for Academic Excellence and the RFG McMillan Award awarded for the best honours project in materials science. Her studies have also led to her publishing a paper on a comparative study of Thai and Australian crocodile bone as a potential bio-medical material.

“I believe that as a part of the Fulbright program and by participating as a Fulbright Alumni, I will generate contacts which will be invaluable throughout my career, both in the field of scientific research as well as the wider community. This is of growing importance given the increasing need for business and commercial partnerships in science, and the significant cross disciplinary impacts of scientific research.”