Tzanakakis named department chair

Professor Emmanuel Tzanakakis received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He joined the Tufts University School of Engineering in 2014 as an associate professor and, in 2019, was promoted to professor. He holds secondary appointments in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

His research focuses on stem cell engineering and biomanufacturing with emphasis on cellular therapies, particularly for diabetes. His team also pursues the development of optogenetic technologies for engineering pancreatic tissues with pharmacological agent-free control of hormonal function. Implementing a combination of experiment- and computation-based approaches, the overarching goal of his research is the realization of the potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine.

Tzanakakis is an outstanding contributor to the School of Engineering’s strategic area of Engineering for Human Health, with significant, continuous support over the past 15 years from major funding agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Defense (DoD). In addition, he is a well-respected teacher and mentor. In 2019, he was recognized by Tufts’ Graduate Student Council with the Outstanding Faculty Contribution to Graduate Education Award.

In 2021, he was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows for his outstanding contributions to stem cell bioprocessing and optogenetic technologies for diabetes.

The School of Engineering thanks Professor Kyongbum Lee for his commitment in leading the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering over the past decade. We welcome Lee to his new role as the dean ad interim of the School of Engineering.