Nimmi Ramanujam
Robert W. Carr, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Biomedical EngineeringOverview
Nirmala (“Nimmi”) Ramanujam is the Robert W. Carr Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Cancer Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, and Global Health and founder of the Center for Global Women’s Health Technologies (GWHT) at Duke University. Her work addresses access gaps across the cancer care continuum both locally and globally. Her group develops low-cost imaging, artificial intelligence, and digital health platforms to decentralize the early detection of cervical cancer, and immune-based injectables and metabolic biomarkers for breast cancer treatment. Across both programs, she addresses access in different ways—expanding prevention where healthcare infrastructure is limited and improving access to treatment where therapies are available, yet lengthy and prohibitively expensive. She founded Calla Health to translate women’s health technologies into practice and co-developed The (In)visible Organ, a documentary that raises awareness and addresses stigma as barriers to care. She also leads experiential STEM initiatives that train students in systems-based, equity-centered technology development and she has authored a textbook, Biomedical Engineering and Global Health. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors, a Fulbright Scholar, and recipient of a number of awards, notably of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Innovator Award, the IEEE Biomedical Engineering Technical Field Award and the Anita B social impact award.
Positions
Robert W. Carr, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Pratt School of Engineering
2014 Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Pratt School of Engineering
2011 Pratt School of Engineering
Research Professor of Global Health in the University Institutes and Centers
2012 University Institutes and Centers
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology in the School of Medicine
2013 School of Medicine
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine
2005 School of Medicine
Affiliate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society in the University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
2014 University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Core Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy in the University Institutes and Centers
2024 University Institutes and Centers
Education
B.S., University of Texas, Austin 1989
1989 University of Texas, Austin
M.S., University of Texas, Austin 1992
1992 University of Texas, Austin
Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin 1995
1995 University of Texas, Austin
Publications, Grants & Awards
Offices & Contact
Durham,NC
27708
Durham,NC
27708-0281