Tejal A. Desai

KQED Science Tejal Desai

Tejal A. Desai is a prominent American bioengineer and academic known for her contributions to the field of biomedical engineering. She is a professor and the chair of the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Desai's research focuses on the development of micro and nanotechnology for therapeutic delivery, cell and tissue engineering, and the interface between living and synthetic systems.

Early Life and Education

Tejal Desai was born in Huntington Beach, California. She completed her undergraduate studies in bioengineering at Brown University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She then pursued her Ph.D. in bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Desai joined the faculty at Boston University as an assistant professor. She later moved to the University of Illinois at Chicago before joining UCSF. At UCSF, she has held various positions, including the chair of the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences.

Desai's research has been widely recognized for its innovative approach to solving complex biomedical problems. Her work involves the use of micro and nanofabrication techniques to create devices that can interact with biological systems at the cellular and molecular levels. This includes the development of drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and biosensors.

Research and Contributions

Desai's research is interdisciplinary, combining principles from engineering, biology, and medicine. Some of her notable contributions include:

• Development of micro and nanostructured materials for controlled drug delivery.
• Engineering of biomimetic interfaces for tissue regeneration.
• Creation of biosensors for detecting and monitoring disease markers.

Her work has implications for a wide range of medical applications, including cancer treatment, diabetes management, and cardiovascular disease.

Awards and Honors

Tejal Desai has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of bioengineering, including:

• The National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
• The Young Investigator Award from the Controlled Release Society.
• Election to the National Academy of Medicine.

Professional Memberships

Desai is an active member of several professional organizations, including:

• The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).
• The Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).
• The Society for Biomaterials.

Personal Life

Desai is married and has two children. She is an advocate for women in science and engineering and actively mentors young scientists and engineers.

See Also

• Bioengineering
• Nanotechnology
• Drug delivery
• Tissue engineering
• University of California, San Francisco

External Links

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