BAM人物专访栏目
BAM“人物专访”栏目，带您了解科研人员的故事、期刊发展前景、学科进展等新鲜有趣的事情，欢迎关注！
第十四期，我们采访了BAM编委Vivek A. Kumar，一起来听听他对科研的独特见解、对期刊发展的期待、有趣的科研生活吧！
人物专访：
Vivek A. Kumar
Vivek A. Kumar
Profile
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), 2016-present (primary)
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, (NJIT), 2016-present
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, (NJIT), 2021-present
Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, 2021-present
Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, 2017-2021
科研分享
能否简单介绍一下您目前的研究领域？
My research is at the interface of Biomolecular peptide design to Biomaterials Development for novel therapeutic and tissue engineering applications. We utilize a milieu of computational suites to develop design de novo proteins/peptides that target a variety of receptors or assemble into aggregates. We then characterize these peptides in vitro for identity and cellular efficacy. Finally we investigate these designer drugs/biomaterials in a variety of animal models ranging from rodents to pigs.
您在科研中遇到过怎样的困难，您又是如何克服的？
Time, and time management. The hardest part of my day is figuring out what to prioritize and how to fit all the things I need to do within the day. Almost never does this happen, and frequently work needs to be done after hours. Sometimes writing a grant or paper needs to take the backseat to a number of “fires” that need to be extinguished immediately. I thought I would be done with all-nighters/late nights after college or grad school—but have realized that sometimes that is the best time to write!
期刊发展
是什么吸引您加入BAM编委团队的？
The leadership of BAM is phenomenal, and co-Editor-in-Chief Jian Yang has been a long mentor of mine for some 20 years.
您对Bioactive Materials未来的发展以及推动相关领域的发展有何期待？
A focus on Translation in every paper and every meeting.
How biomaterials can be developed using the latest in computational tools and resources including AI/ML.
科研与生活
科研以外，您最大的爱好是什么？
I love to spend time with my 2 kids (9 and 2 years old in 2024) and Family. I love to play pickleball as well!
您如何平衡科研工作与生活？
Every day is a challenge and dynamic. Between constant emails, Slack messages, Zooms, international collaborators and experiments that run at all times of the day, there is a constant struggle to balance anything outside of work with work. However, I have switched off vibration and sound notifications from 10pm to 6pm, although I do still habitually check my devices, and often write in these times. Also, always trying to be at inbox-zero (0 unread emails at least by the end of the day) and using my calendar (for everything) to organize my life.
您认为作为科研工作者最重要的资质是什么？
Patience, persistence and perseverance. Importantly to also be highly/rapidly responsive to students, collaborators and colleagues so that I am not the stumbling block/time limiting step.
寄语
对于要决心投身科学研究的青年学者，您有什么建议？
Fall in love with your work, and you won’t work a day in your life! Unlike any other job-research is a work of passion which can consume your life because of the love you have for it.
BAM人物专访专栏将持续推出精彩内容，欢迎大家关注。
Bioactive Materials 创建于2016年，自2019年被SCIE检索收录以来影响因子实现跳跃式增长（IF 2019: 8.724；IF 2020: 14.593；IF 2021: 16.874；IF 2022:18.9; IF 2023: 18）；JCR materials science, biomaterials 领域国际排名连续四年第一。此外， 2020年到2023年连续四年入选中国科学院文献情报中心期刊分区表一区，Top期刊；入选材料科学综合类高质量科技期刊分级目录T1区。
