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UNMC College of Dentistry names Indian-American associate dean for research
The biomaterials innovator is set to drive cross-campus research integration and clinical collaboration.
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Anushka Pathak - Thu, 09, Oct 2025
- 13:36 EDT
- 37
Sangamesh G. Kumbar, associate dean for research at UNMC / Courtesy: UNMC
Sangamesh G. Kumbar has been appointed associate dean for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry.
A leading scholar in biomaterials science, Kumbar joined UNMC earlier this year and operates his research laboratory on the university’s Omaha campus.
“Kumbar stands out as a remarkable scholar, seamlessly linking foundational science with practical breakthroughs,” said Gerard Kugel, dean of the College of Dentistry. “His appointment underscores our commitment to advancing cross-disciplinary research and innovation. His leadership will strengthen our research enterprise and inspire future scientists at UNMC.”
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Kumbar’s research focuses on the development and evaluation of next-generation materials for tissue regeneration and drug delivery systems. His laboratory specializes in micro-engineered biomaterials that enhance healing and enable precise therapeutic release.
“Researchers often work in isolation, focused on individual funding or narrow projects,” Kumbar said. “But collaboration creates breakthroughs none of us could achieve alone—whether in securing grants, driving applied research, or improving patient outcomes.”
Currently a faculty member in the Department of Growth and Development, Kumbar is collaborating with the Orthopaedic Surgery Department and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Engineering.
He intends to expand partnerships to include additional UNMC departments, UNL programs, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and other campuses within the University of Nebraska system. “My recruitment was designed to connect the College of Dentistry with UNO’s engineering school,” he explained. “That’s why I’m based in Omaha—to build bridges and spark joint innovation.”
Working alongside specialists such as Edward Fehringer from orthopedic surgery and Dong Wang from pharmaceutical sciences, Kumbar is pursuing collaborations that address unmet clinical needs in osteoarthritis, rheumatology, orthopedics, and related fields.
Before joining UNMC, Kumbar served as a professor of orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He earned his PhD in polymer science from Karnatak University in India, followed by postdoctoral research at the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials at Rutgers University.
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