Maneesha Inamdar

Dr. Maneesha Inamdar is a stem cell and developmental biologist conducting research in Bangalore, India. Her group uses gene editing tools to manipulate stem cells and generate disease models for scientific insight into human development and devising therapeutic strategies. This has application in prevention of congenital defects and 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 and guidance documents. She heads or serves on several high level scientific review, funding and ethics committees. She is member of the steering group of the International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI), member of the Scientific Advisory Board, human pluripotent stem cell Registry, Europe and part of the International Stem Cell Initiative (ISCI) projects. While furthering discovery she is deeply involved in science outreach, education and public engagement at multiple levels and in varied formats.
Dr. Inamdar received her academic training in India and the USA. She is currently Professor and Dean at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru and Visiting Professor, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Bengaluru. She has received many awards and fellowships, including the National Bioscience Award (2011), Department of Biotechnology, India, and the Dr. Kalpana Chawla Award (2017).