Melissa Pappas
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) has named Ravi Radhakrishnan, Professor and Herman P. Schwan Department Chair of Bioengineering and Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, an AIChE Fellow. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the chemical engineering profession and exemplify the highest standards of leadership, research and service. Radhakrishnan’s election as a Fellow marks a major milestone in his distinguished career and highlights his exceptional achievements in the fields of bioengineering, computational sciences and biomedical research.
“I am humbled by this recognition,” says Radhakrishnan. “The AIChE network has always been there for me, opening doors and providing mentorship at all stages of my career. To be recognized as an AIChE Fellow, and to be an ambassador and contribute to the community in this capacity, means a lot.”
In addition to his academic roles, Radhakrishnan is a member of the Genomics and Computational Biology and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics graduate groups at Penn. He is also a founder and former Director of the Penn Institute for Computational Science, where he promoted interdisciplinary research at the intersection of multiscale modeling, machine learning and high-performance supercomputing.
His innovative research aims to revolutionize cancer treatment and next-generation therapeutics through the development of digital twin models in biomedical engineering. By integrating molecular- and cellular-scale computational algorithms with artificial intelligence (AI), statistical mechanics and high-performance scientific computing, Radhakrishnan is leading the charge in creating novel nanomedicine-based solutions. His lab’s work, which spans a wide range of computational techniques, aims to deliver more effective and personalized approaches to cancer therapy.
“I work at the nexus between the fundamental approaches in chemical engineering and its applications and impact to biomedical science and engineering,” he says. “For example, my group studies the basic mechanisms in a molecule like a protein or a DNA to shape new therapies and therapy responses in patients. I am excited to leverage the power of AI-enabled mathematical methods in revolutionizing this field by creating digital twins that can forecast disease progression, particularly in solid cancers, and optimize therapies using nanomedicine.”
As an AIChE Fellow, Radhakrishnan joins an esteemed group of professionals who contribute their wealth of experience and expertise to advance the mission of AIChE. Fellows play a key role in providing leadership, mentoring and guidance to the Institute’s activities, and Radhakrishnan’s contributions will undoubtedly help shape the future of chemical engineering in the fields of bioengineering and computational science.
Read more about Radhakrishnan’s work here.