Name: Neeti Gandhi

Hometown: Peoria, Illinois 

Education:

  • Bachelor's in chemical engineering from Purdue University 
  • Master's in physiology and biophysics from Georgetown University 
  • Pursuing her Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Virginia Tech

Plans after graduation: Gandhi plans to pursue a postdoctoral position for additional training and to broaden her experience within biomedical research. After that, she plans to go into the biotechnology industry.

Favorite Hokie memory: Visiting Virginia Tech for the first time, walking the campus with her parents and exploring Blacksburg before she began her Ph.D. “It was so memorable seeing the location where my parents spent a few years, embarking on the same journey I was about to start.”

Combining interests

Neeti Gandhi was drawn to Virginia Tech because of the biomedical research focus in the doctoral chemical engineering program. Her background in chemical engineering and biophysics fueled her curiosity, but it was the intersection of science and humanity that truly ignited her passion. 

“Biomedical research in chemical engineering is not as prominent at some universities. This was something I knew I wanted to do, so I wanted to pick a school that allowed me to combine my background in chemical engineering with my interest in biology and medicine. Virginia Tech was perfect for that,” Gandhi said. 

Gandhi also had a personal connection to Virginia Tech; her dad graduated with his Ph.D. in marketing in 1990 and her mom also worked for the university. She wanted to experience the school for herself that her parents always remembered so fondly. 

Research to impact the future

Gandhi also selected Virginia Tech as her home because of her advisor, Padma Rajagopalan, the Robert E. Hord Jr Professor of Chemical Engineering. 

“My advisor was one of the biggest reasons why I came to Virginia Tech,” Gandhi said. “When she told me about her type of research, I realized it was exactly what I was looking to pursue.”

Gandhi conducts research on the liver alongside Rajagopalan. Their work involves maturing induced pluripotent stem cell hepatocyte-like cells (iHLCs), which are essentially regular cells, like skin cells, that are reprogrammed to become stem cells. From there, the stem cells are transformed into liver cells, which Gandhi uses to develop liver organoids. An organoid is a 3D model that typically uses stem cells to mimic the functions of an organ. Gandhi’s liver organoid can be used for future applications such as drug studies and disease modeling.

“I primarily work on maturing these iHLCs within the liver organoid through intercellular signaling,” Gandhi said. “It's important because we need a sustainable, usable source to study the liver outside of the body. The liver metabolizes or transforms everything that goes through our body, so our research is vital to further understand how this organ functions.”

Rajagopalan believes that Gandhi’s research will have significant impacts in her field, but her impact reaches beyond the research lab.

“She embodies the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) whether it is in the lab, in research, or her extremely impressive STEM-related activities,” Rajagopalan said.

Students and faculty gathered around a computer screen.
Neeti Gandhi (pointing) and Padma Rajagopalan (standing at Neeti's left) look at immunofluorescence images of hepatocyte-like cells (iHLCs) taken on a microscope with their colleagues. Photo by Peter Means for Virginia Tech.

Creating opportunities, one organization at a time

Though Gandhi’s research has kept her busy, she has still prioritized tackling the issues that are most important to her, such as empowering women in STEM.

Many clubs and organizations on campus consider themselves lucky to call Gandhi a member, but some even have the privilege of calling her a founder. 

In 2022, Gandhi founded Women and Gender Minorities in Chemical Engineering, an organization created to build community and networking opportunities within the department. The necessity for an organization like this became apparent to Gandhi when she served as president of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChEGSA). 

“When I began my role as the ChEGSA President, I was the only woman on the leadership board,” Gandhi said. “This lack of diversity was why I wanted to start an organization to help bring in this sense of community for gender minorities that I could see was lacking.”

Some of her other involvement and awards include:

  • 2023 Outstanding Doctoral Student - Interdisciplinary Program
  • Kirk and Noel Schulz Transformative Graduate Education award 
  • The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Women in Chemical Engineering Travel award 
  • New Horizons Graduate Scholar 
  • Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program (IGEP) in Computational Tissue Engineering (CTE) 
  • Treasurer and member of the first executive board of the Scientistas, a Women in STEM group

Now, Gandhi can add Outstanding Doctoral Student of the Year for the College of Engineering to the list.

Chemical engineers impact lives

For Gandhi, being a chemical engineer opens the door to working on technologies that can impact people all over the world.

“I wanted to become a chemical engineer because of the flexibility in the field to solve problems and incorporate various interdisciplinary fields,” said Gandhi. “As a chemical engineer, we have the capability to apply our background to developing ways to improve human life, such as healthcare and medical advancements. I want to use what I’ve learned to make a difference in people’s lives.” 

Gandhi’s efforts to help make the world a better place will not stop at the end of her work day. She spends much of her free time now volunteering and she has no plans to slow down.

“I love volunteering and giving back to the community,” Gandhi said. “Opening my own nonprofit, where I can physically help people around the world, is my ultimate goal.”

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