OMAHA, Neb. (Diya TV) — Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar, PhD, has been named associate dean for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry. He joined UNMC earlier this year and operates his research laboratory on the Omaha campus.
Kumbar is a leading scholar in biomaterials science. His appointment reflects UNMC’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and innovation in dental and medical sciences.
“Kumbar stands out as a remarkable scholar, seamlessly linking foundational science with practical breakthroughs,” said Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, dean of the College of Dentistry. “His leadership will strengthen our research enterprise and inspire future scientists at UNMC.”
Kumbar’s work focuses on developing advanced materials for tissue regeneration and drug delivery. His laboratory creates micro-engineered biomaterials designed to enhance healing and control precise therapeutic release. These materials aim to improve patient outcomes in areas ranging from dental health to orthopedic care.
Kumbar emphasizes collaboration as a cornerstone of research success. “Researchers often work in isolation, focused on individual funding or narrow projects,” he said. “But collaboration creates breakthroughs none of us could achieve alone — whether in securing grants, advancing applied research, or improving patient care.”
Currently a faculty member in the Department of Growth and Development, Kumbar has already formed partnerships with the UNMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering. He plans to expand collaborations to include additional UNMC departments, UNL programs, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and other campuses within the University of Nebraska system.
“When I was hired, it was intended that I become a bridge between the UNMC College of Dentistry and the UNO College of Engineering,” Kumbar said. “That is why I am based in Omaha — to connect and spark joint innovation.”
Kumbar works closely with specialists such as Edward Fehringer from orthopedic surgery and Dong Wang from pharmaceutical sciences. Together, they are pursuing projects that address unmet clinical needs in osteoarthritis, rheumatology, orthopedics, and related fields.
He also plans to launch programs that bring basic researchers and clinicians together. One initiative will involve regular meetings where surgeons present clinical challenges, and researchers explore possible solutions using their lab work. Another will feature a translational research lecture series with both in-house and outside experts, promoting innovation that can move from lab bench to patient care.
Kumbar believes this approach will help the College of Dentistry tackle ambitious research goals. “The university has great researchers,” he said. “My goal is to connect the college with them. Together, we can pursue bigger, more audacious goals that have real-world impact.”
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 and completed postdoctoral research at the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials at Rutgers University.
His global experience brings valuable insight into collaborative research and translational science. By connecting departments across multiple disciplines, Kumbar hopes to create a network that fosters innovation in dentistry, orthopedics, engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences.
Kumbar’s appointment reflects UNMC’s broader vision for interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing clinical problems. Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, has emphasized the importance of tackling ambitious goals collectively as a university.
“That is our goal at the UNMC College of Dentistry,” Kumbar said. “By bridging departments, disciplines, and campuses, we can transform research into meaningful solutions that improve patient care and advance science.”
