A cell and developmental biologist, Prof. Maneesha Inamdar is recognised for her pioneering research in cardiovascular development and stem cell biology. She has played a key role in establishing both teaching and contemporary research in these fields at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru. Her research group was among the first in India to establish human embryonic stem cell lines, contributing significantly to the field of mammalian cardiovascular development. She took over the charge of Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bengaluru in 2022. Her work has far-reaching implications for regenerative medicine, congenital heart defects, and translational biomedical research. With her trailblazing contributions to stem cell science and cardiovascular biology, Prof. Maneesha aims to advance the frontiers of developmental biology, shaping the future of biomedical research and healthcare innovations in India. Her lab is dedicated to analysing mammalian development using stem cell models, alongside clinical studies that bridge fundamental research with medical applications. She has trained over 18 researchers in stem cell culture and is currently the member of WHO expert advisory committee on developing global standards for governance and oversight of Human Genome editing.
