He founded the Cardiovascular Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (CFM), which studies cardiovascular fluid dynamics in order to understand complex cardiovascular problems. The group applies their research through the design and engineering of heart valves and heart repair devices to address complex cardiac defects for pediatric and adult populations. Dr. Yoganathan uses an interdisciplinary and translational approach, utilizing fundamentals of engineering science to develop interventions. 

Additionally, CFM researchers use experimental and computational biomechanical techniques to develop minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions, as well as non-invasive techniques including Doppler technologies and magnetic resonance imaging. Another important focus of Dr. Yoganathan's work is pediatric cardiac interventions, including the development of a surgical planning software for pediatric cardiac surgeries that aims to predict how a surgery will affect a child's blood flow. 

Dr. Yoganathan's work has been widely applied and adopted, and his lab regularly evaluates new prosthetic heart valves being developed across the U.S.

Research Goals

• Biomedical solutions: Designing and engineering devices to aid in cardiovascular recovery and disease management
• Pediatric cardiovascular interventions: Applying knowledge of pediatric anatomy to tailor devices for the needs of children 
• Minimally invasive therapeutic techniques: Developing new uses for modalities such as Doppler to mitigate risks of more invasive interventions 

Activities 

• Cardiovascular fluid dynamics: Understanding cardiovascular blood flow to develop targeted solutions to heart-related problems
• Computational biomechanical techniques: Leveraging software technologies to minimize the invasiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions
• Engineering design: Applying the foundations of engineering to the field of heart valve design 

Leadership 

• Lifetime Award, Sri Lankan Foundation International, 2022
• Inaugural HVS Lifetime Achievement Award, Heart Valve Society (HVS), 2022
• Fellow, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2021
• Inaugural Honorary Fellow, the American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS), 2020
• Professional Impact Award for Education, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), 2020
• Tamils' Information Lifetime Achievement Award, Tamils' Information 26th Anniversary Celebration, February 19, 2017, Council Chamber of the City Hall, Toronto, Canada
• Recognition of Lifetime Contributions and Advancements in the Field of Cardiovascular Research and Keynote Lecture, 11th International Symposium on Biomechanics in Vascular Biology and Cardiovascular Disease, The Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 2016
• Standards Developer Award, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, 2015
• Ann Newman Lecturer in Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2012
• Robert A. Pritzker Distinguished Lectureship, Biomedical Engineering Society, 2012.
• Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society, 2008
• Theo Pilkington Award for Biomedical Engineering Education, American Society of Engineering Education, 2005
• Honorary Professor of Hemodynamic, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark, August 2003
• H. R. Lissner Award in Bioengineering, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, November 1997
• Sigma Xi Research Award, Georgia Institute of Technology May 1995
• Founding Fellow, American Institute of Medical & Biological Engineering, 1992
• Edwin Walker Prize - British Institute of Mechanical Engineers, 1988
• Humboldt Fellowship, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Research, Technical University of Aachen, West Germany, 1985
• Metro-Atlanta Engineer of the Year in Education, 1983
• California Institute of Technology Fellowship, 1973-77