Hitesh Handa

Hitesh Handa, associate professor and Distinguished Faculty Fellow in the College of Engineering, is an innovator in biomedical device coatings, developing nitric oxide (NO)-based surfaces that prevent infection and thrombosis. His work has led to eight issued patents and 26 pending applications, with technologies exclusively licensed to Nytricx Inc., a company he co-founded. Nytricx is advancing NO-releasing medical devices, including vascular and urinary catheters and wound dressings. These innovations address hospital-acquired infections and implant failures, improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs. In the past two years, his ventures have secured more than $5 million in federal funding to accelerate commercialization. A Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, Handa is a key figure in Georgia’s growing biomedical sector, fostering industry partnerships, mentoring faculty entrepreneurs, and bridging academic research with clinical application.