Hannah Dailey, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, has recently been named one of the recipients of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for the year 2024. This recognition, bestowed by the Biden administration, is highly esteemed in the scientific community and marks a significant milestone in Dailey’s accomplished career. Established in 1996, the PECASE awards are uniquely aimed at honoring individuals who have shown exceptional promise in their respective scientific fields, demonstrating a commitment to advancing science, technology, education, and mathematics as well as serving their communities through outreach and education initiatives.
Dailey’s particular nomination stems from her significant contributions in the domain of orthopedics and biomedical engineering, focusing on the innovative development of a virtual mechanical test designed to early identify nonunions in bone healing. Nonunion, a term referring to the failure of fractured bones to unite correctly, occurs in roughly ten percent of shinbone fractures, presenting patients with substantial health risks that include high levels of depression and prolonged opioid use. By effectively detecting these potential complications much earlier in the healing process, Dailey’s research stands to enable timely surgical interventions that can vastly improve patient outcomes.
Her groundbreaking research at the intersection of mechanical and biomedical engineering illustrates an exemplary model of interdisciplinary collaboration. The challenges that nonunions present are not merely mechanical but involve complex biological processes, necessitating a sophisticated understanding of both the engineering principles and the biological environment surrounding bone healing. By integrating computational approaches with biomechanical insights, Dailey is contributing to a body of knowledge that bridges multiple scientific disciplines, ultimately aiming to enhance the standards of patient care in orthopedics.
Being one among nearly 400 awardees, Dailey represents a cadre of scientists and engineers that are employed or funded by various prestigious agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and notably, the National Science Foundation (NSF). For the 2024 recognition, NSF nominated 111 individuals, of which Dailey is one of just 31 awardees from their Engineering Directorate. This statistic not only emphasizes the competitive nature of the award but also highlights the importance of innovative research that aligns with national interests in science and technology.
Dailey’s research prowess was also recognized previously when she received the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award in 2020, an honor that is often seen as a precursor to greater achievements in academia. Her CAREER project focuses on the multiscale mechanical characterization of bone fracture healing—a subject that is crucial not only to medical experts but also to engineers like herself who seek to develop robust, evidence-based solutions to medical challenges. Such dedication to impactful research marks a defining characteristic of her career trajectory, as Dailey continually seeks to forge new pathways and methodologies in both engineering and medical fields.
In the words of Steve DeWeerth, professor and dean of the Rossin College, Professor Dailey’s contributions are nothing short of inspiring. He remarks on the exceptional quality of her work, affirming that the PECASE award aptly underscores not just her individual talents but also the culture of interdisciplinary innovation thriving within Lehigh. This recognition will likely enhance her visibility as a leader in both academia and the scientific community, allowing her to further champion research initiatives that combine engineering principles with life sciences.
Professor Dailey’s academic journey has been extensive and illustrious, starting even before she became an undergraduate at Lehigh University. Her pursuit of knowledge has taken her across the globe, including a significant postdoctoral experience in Ireland, before returning to Lehigh to spearhead the Dailey Ortho Lab. This lab reflects her commitment to applying engineering solutions to clinical problems, specifically in orthopedics, and boasts collaborations with surgeon-investigators across various international hospitals.
Within the scope of her research group, Dailey emphasizes imaging-driven engineering approaches that tackle pressing clinical issues prevalent in orthopedic practice. This ensures that her work not only remains theoretical but translates into practical applications that can significantly enhance the quality of patient care. Her publications in esteemed journals such as the Journal of Biomechanics and Clinical Biomechanics exemplify the rigorous, high-quality research that is being undertaken in her lab, contributing towards building a sophisticated understanding of biomechanics.
Moreover, Dailey also contributes to the commercial aspect of her field as the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of OrthoXel, DAC. This orthopaedic device firm originated from technology developed during her postdoctoral research at the prestigious Cork Institute of Technology. The venture illustrates her commitment to translating academic research into viable clinical solutions, highlighting her role as both an educator and a business leader in the field of medical devices.
For Dailey, receiving the PECASE award is not merely a personal triumph; it represents an encapsulation of her journey in engineering and the collaborative spirit that is deeply embedded in scientific pursuits. She expresses her gratitude not only to the NSF for supporting her research endeavors but also to Lehigh University for providing an environment conducive to exploring innovative ideas. Her advocacy for continued support in the academic and engineering communities will surely resonate with aspiring researchers navigating similar paths.
The PECASE awards, established to recognize notable contributions in various scientific fields, acknowledge the vital roles that scientists and engineers can play in addressing societal challenges. Reflective of her multidisciplinary approach, Dailey joins an elite group of Lehigh faculty such as Shalinee Kishore and John N. DuPont, who have previously received the same honor. Together, they exemplify the institution’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking talent and research that aligns with national priorities in engineering and technology.
As Hannah Dailey continues her work in evolving the field of orthopedic engineering and advancing methods of detecting and addressing complications in bone healing, her story resonates as a powerful example of how early career scientists can transform their fields through dedication and innovative research. Her contributions will undoubtedly inspire many future engineers and biomedical scientists to pursue interdisciplinary approaches, thereby making lasting impacts on public health and safety.
In conclusion, the recognition of Hannah Dailey through the Presidential Early Career Award serves as a testament to her significant endeavors in the realm of engineering and medicine. As she continues to innovate and inspire, her work will likely pave the way for advancements that not only improve clinical outcomes for patients but also enrich the scientific community as a whole.
Subject of Research: Early detection of nonunions in bone healing
Article Title: Honor Recognizes Innovative Contributions of Lehigh University Professor Hannah Dailey
News Publication Date: October 2023
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Image Credits: Christa Neu/Lehigh University
Keywords: Hannah Dailey, Presidential Early Career Award, PECASE, orthopedics, biomedical engineering, bone healing, nonunion, mechanical engineering, interdisciplinary research, NSF, Lehigh University.
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