Ambika Bajpayee

Northeastern University

Dr. Ambika Bajpayee is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern University, where she leads the Molecular Bioelectrostatics and Drug Delivery Laboratory. Her research focuses on developing cell- and tissue-specific drug delivery platforms for musculoskeletal and joint diseases, particularly osteoarthritis. Her group is internationally recognized for pioneering charge-based targeting strategies—including cationic peptide carriers, electrostatically engineered exosomes, and multifunctional nanocarriers—that overcome the dense, avascular, and negatively charged matrix barriers of cartilage and other connective tissues. Dr. Bajpayee earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and brings a unique background spanning biomechanics, transport modeling, and biomaterials. Her lab’s work integrates biophysical modeling, molecular engineering, and translational studies to design next-generation therapeutics for cartilage repair, pain modulation, and gene delivery in osteoarthritis. Her honors include the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), NSF CAREER Award, NIH Trailblazer Award, Department of Defense Discovery Award, and Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigator Award. Her research is funded by the NIH, NSF, Department of Defense, and pharmaceutical industry partnerships, with an emphasis on bridging basic science to clinical translation.