Nimmi Ramanujam
Nimmi Ramanujam

Nimmi Ramanujam

Robert W. Carr, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Overview

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

Address Icon 367 Gross Hall
Durham,NC
27708
Address Icon Box 90281
Durham,NC
27708-0281