In response to the announcement, Shukla stated, “I’m truly honored to receive the PECASE. I am thankful to the Department of Defense (Office of Naval Research) for the nomination and support. This award is a great recognition for our lab’s research in the area of responsive treatments and detection methods for infection.” 

Shukla’s Laboratory for Designer Biomaterials develops smart materials aimed at addressing a range of biomedical challenges. Her work includes developing new antimicrobial drug delivery systems in the form of hydrogels, thin films and nano- and micro-particles, as well as microbial sensors that can detect the presence of harmful bacteria before infections occur. A recent example of her work is a polymer coating for catheters that can kill MRSA bacteria and prevent the formation of biofilms. Such a coating could help to reduce catheter-related blood infections, the most common type of hospital-acquired infection.

Shukla is a 2018 Pilot Project Program Awardee of Advance Clinical and Translational Research (Advance-CTR), an Institutional Development Award for Clinical and Translational Research in Rhode Island that was founded with funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences in 2016 (U54GM115677). Shukla serves as a Co-PI on the Advance-CTR Pilot Project, “Modification of Orthopaedic Biomaterials with Osteolysis Inhibitors and Osteoconductive Peptides.” 

Established in 1996, the PECASE award acknowledges the contributions scientists and engineers have made to the advancement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and to community service as demonstrated by scientific leadership, public education and community outreach. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates the PECASE with participating departments and agencies.