Maneesha Inamdar

Professor Maneesha Inamdar is a stem cell and developmental biologist conducting research at Bangalore, India. Her group studies organelle-level mechanisms that orchestrate hematopoiesis, vascular and cardiac development using stem cells and animal models. Specifically, the focus is on conserved mitochondrial and cytoskeletal proteins and processes that regulate ubiquitous cellular functions in a tissue-specific manner. A key approach is to genetically modify pluripotent human stem cells to generate better developmental and disease models. This research has application in prevention of congenital defects as well as for regenerative therapies. Dr. Inamdar pioneered human embryonic stem cell derivation and use in India. This provided stem cells that represent the Indian genetic diversity, are eligible for use globally and have been distributed worldwide. She has several international projects and has contributed significantly to national and international training programs, guidance and policy documents. She heads or serves on several scientific review, funding and ethics committees. Prof. Inamdar is presently Director of inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine), India’s first stem cell institute. She is on deputation from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore. She is an elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy and a J C Bose National Fellow.