Umesh Patel, '86 IDE Genetic Engineering and 2021 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient

Umesh Patel, PhD, holds more than 50 patents in the field of regenerative medicine. Each patent has a story and a need to improve the health of countless patients. He was one of two employees first hired to startup Cook Biotech, and who together lead the organization on a global scale today. It all started here at Purdue University, first earning his BSE in Interdisciplinary Engineering with a concentration in Genetic Engineering in 1986. We consider Umesh a trailblazer, as those were the days before biomedical engineering had a school and dedicated faculty and students taking the necessary giant leaps to make it what it is today. Throughout his career journey, Umesh has distinguished himself as an innovative global leader and in doing so, he has displayed the ingenuity and pursuit of excellence that epitomizes the Purdue engineer. We are honored to introduce Umesh as our 2021 IDE Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient.

And yes, 2021. We planned again and again and again and thankful we waited to celebrate this week in person with Umesh and his family and colleagues!