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Indian-origin professor joins Virginia science academy
George Mason bioengineering professor Siddhartha Sikdar joins Virginia academy alongside two colleagues from the university.
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Pranavi Sharma - Tue, 28, Jul 2026
- 03:20 EDT
- 22
Siddhartha Sikdar / Office of University Branding
Indian-origin bioengineering professor Siddhartha Sikdar of George Mason University has been elected to the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (VASEM), joining two other university faculty members in the 2026 class of the organization that provides independent, evidence-based expertise on issues affecting Virginia.
Sikdar, a Distinguished University Professor and co-director of the Center for MedTech Innovation in George Mason University's College of Engineering and Computing, was elected alongside Distinguished University Professor Liping Di of the College of Science and Dean Melissa J. Perry of the College of Public Health.
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Founded in 2013 and modeled after the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, VASEM brings together scientists, engineers, health professionals and innovators from academia, industry, government and nonprofit organizations. The academy provides expertise to policymakers, institutions and communities across Virginia.
In recent years, the organization has expanded its work through studies, white papers, workshops, conferences and educational programs focused on artificial intelligence, energy technologies, climate resilience, health care and advanced manufacturing. It also supports the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science Policy Fellowship and the Undergraduate Policy Program.
As a VASEM member, Sikdar will have opportunities to contribute to committees, workshops, study groups and policy initiatives that support evidence-based decision-making across Virginia.
Sikdar's research focuses on developing advanced imaging technologies and wearable sensors to better understand brain-body interactions and improve rehabilitation outcomes for people living with chronic pain, stroke, spinal cord injury and limb loss. His work has contributed to rehabilitation and medical technology research aimed at improving patient care.
“It is a great honor and privilege to join such a distinguished group of experts at VASEM,” Sikdar said.
“I am eagerly looking forward to working with VASEM to inform public policy in biomedical and healthcare technologies and strengthen Virginia’s medical technology ecosystem.”
“I hope to represent an interdisciplinary and community-engaged research perspective drawing upon my experience working on complex problems at the intersection of society, health and technology, and elevate the voices of patients and community partners who are often left out of policy discussions,” he added.
The election of Di, Perry and Sikdar brings the total number of current and former George Mason University faculty members inducted into VASEM to 13.
Previous George Mason inductees include President Gregory Washington; College of Science faculty members James Kinter, Lance Liotta and Jagadish Shukla; College of Public Health professor emeritus Naomi Lynn Gerber; 'Distinguished University Professor Emeritus' Edward Maibach; College of Engineering and Computing Dean Kenneth Ball; inaugural Vice President and Chief AI Officer Amarda Shehu; and engineering faculty members Missy Cummings and Elise Miller-Hooks.
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