From Malayalam medium to UK's fellowship worth Rs 26.38 crore; Kollam native Arathyram's rare achievement

KOLLAM: Parippally native Arathyram has won a huge research fellowship of Rs 26.38 crore from the UK Research and Innovation Agency. The research is to develop a gel for joining broken bones. The 'bioelectric implant' gel is being developed using piezoelectric materials that generate electricity in the body through pressure.

When bones break, the speed of communication between cells decreases. This slowness delays the joining of bones. If the bioelectric implant gel is injected into the fractured area, the cells are stimulated and the speed of communication increases. With this, the bones will join together faster. If successful, this would alleviate the health issue without the need for surgery.

If the research is effective, there will be revolutionary changes in the field of medicine. It will benefit the elderly more. The cost of treatment will also decrease sharply.

After the examination and interview of the expert panel, Arathy was granted the amount requested as a fellowship. She is now an Assistant Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Bradford, UK. Research will begin soon at the RAMS Lab set up by Arathy at the university.

Paripally Kizhakkenela native Arathy is the daughter of the late Retd. Subedar Major Ramachandra Kurup and Sasikala. Arathy’s husband is Abhish Rajan Unnithan, a lecturer at the University of Bradford. Her daughter is Aarushi.

Bringing more pride, Arathy studied in Malayalam medium in Kizhakanela Govt. LPS, Thumbodu CNPS, and Kadampattukonam SKVHSS.

She did her Plus Two from Palayamkunnu HSS, and graduation and post-graduation in Physics from Fatima College, Kollam, and SN Vanitha College, Kollam. Arathy came to the UK after completing MPhil from CUSAT and PhD from North Korea. In 2020, the University of Birmingham awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship of Rs 2.70 crore for research on brain tumours.