Aasma Sapkota

Biography

Dr. Aasma Sapkota received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021. She then earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Georgia in 2026. Her doctoral work focused on developing infection-resistant biocompatible medical devices to combat antibiotic resistance. Dr. Sapkota's work has resulted in a number of patents, publications, and presentations at national and international conferences. Her contributions to research and outreach have been recognized through the First-Generation Engineering Trailblazer Award (2025), Three-Minute Thesis Award (2025), and Brahm Verma Graduate Leadership Award (2026). 

Selected Publications:

1. Wilson SN, Goodman AB, Sapkota A, Joshi N, Chatterton A, Brisbois EJ, Handa H. Bacteriophage and Nitric Oxide Combined Release from a Dual Hydrogel Matrix for Wound Healing Applications. Macromol Biosci. 2026;26(2):e00568.

2. Sapkota A, Schell S, Popoola MO, Handa H, Brisbois EJ. Engineering a dual-action nitric oxide and propolis releasing polymeric matrix for extended antimicrobial efficacy. J Mater Chem B. 2026;14(22):6850-6861.

3. Pinon VD, Kumar S, Crutchfield N, Sapkota A, Shorter T, Brisbois EJ, Handa H. Development of drug-loaded MnO2 nanoflowers on nitric oxide-releasing polymer platforms for antimicrobial and antifungal applications. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2026;140836.

4. Sapkota A, Crutchfield N, Renken E, Bruckmann A, Catori DM, Handa H, Brisbois EJ. Reactive Multifunctional Ink for Hydrogel Fabrication and Cell-Laden 3D Printing via Incorporation of Strontium-Doped Bioactive Glass. ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2026.

5. Moses JC, Sapkota A, Wu Y, Martinez I, Handa H, Brisbois EJ. In Situ Nitric Oxide Generating Nano-Bioactive Glass-Based Coatings and Its Therapeutic Ion Release toward Attenuating Implant-Associated Fibrosis and Infection. Small. 2025;21(13):2411984.

6. Sapkota A, Shome A, Crutchfield N, Moses JC, Martinez I, Handa H, Brisbois EJ. Catalyst-Free Synthesis of a Mechanically Tailorable, Nitric-Oxide-Releasing Organohydrogel and Its Derived Underwater Superoleophobic Coatings. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025;17(13):19335-19347.

7. Nguyen GH, Sapkota A, Brisbois EJ. Dual-action prevention of adherent and non-adherent biofouling via slippery, nitric oxide-releasing nanoemulsion-infused porous surfaces. Biomater Sci. 2025;13(20):5874-5890.

8. Wu Y, Sapkota A, Wilson SN, Thompson SG, Garren MR, Handa H, Brisbois EJ. Nitric oxide-releasing dextran surface with enhanced albumin affinity mitigates infection and foreign body reaction. Carbohydr Polym. 2025;124855.

9. Shome A, Martinez I, Pinon VD, Moses JC, Garren M, Sapkota A, Crutchfield N, Francis DJ, Brisbois EJ, Handa H. "Reactive" Chemical Strategy to Attain Substrate Independent "Liquid-Like" Omniphobic Solid Anti-Biofouling Coatings. Adv Funct Mater. 2024;34(36):2401387.

10. Nguyen DT, Pant J, Sapkota A, Goudie MJ, Singha P, Brisbois EJ, Handa H. Instant clot forming and antibacterial wound dressings: Achieving hemostasis in trauma injuries with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine—tranexamic acid—propolis formulation. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2024;112(11):1930-1940.

11. Chug MK, Sapkota A, Garren M, Brisbois EJ. Wearable nitric oxide-releasing antibacterial insert for preventing device-associated infections. J Control Release. 2024;375:667-680.

12. Sapkota A, Mondal A, Chug MK, Brisbois EJ. Biomimetic catheter surface with dual action NO-releasing and generating properties for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2023;111(10):1627-1641.