Sujata Bhatia wins Marquand Award

Sujata Bhatia, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies in Biomedical Engineering at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has won the John R. Marquand Award for Exceptional Advising and Counseling of Harvard Students.

Named after legendary Senior Tutor of Dudley House John R. Marquand, the award remembers his “devoted service to the students of Harvard College, to perpetuate his good work and to enhance Harvard’s ability to recognize those who contribute to the undergraduate experience.”

The prize is “awarded to a staff or faculty member who contributes to the quality of undergraduate life and education … [with a] focus on each candidate’s skill and generosity in advising, counseling, and helping students.”

Bhatia, who is also an Assistant Dean at Harvard Summer School and Professor of the Practice of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Tufts University, earned her B.S., B.ChE., and M.ChE. degrees from the University of Delaware and her M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to coming to Harvard in 2011, she spent over 7 years as a scientific investigator with DuPont, gaining experience in biomaterials research,product development, intellectual property, and clinical trials.From 2003 to 2008, she worked to develop tissue adhesives for the closure of wounds.

In 2009, she spent a year on technology licensing for cancer drug discovery. In 2010 and 2011, she led clinical trials of omega-3fatty acids for heart health. While working at DuPont, she served as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware, where she taught biochemical engineering and biomedical engineering courses to undergraduates and graduate students.

At SEAS, she advises bioengineering seniors on their individual senior design projects and works with students to complete visionary research and design of new biomaterials and medical devices.

Bhatia is a Faculty Associate at Harvard Leverett House,a Tutor at Harvard Currier House, a Proctor at Harvard Matthews Hall, and serves on the Board of Freshman Advisers for Harvard College.

She will be awarded the honor on Wednesday, April 25, at the Levenson Prize and Marquand Award Dinner in the Dunster House Dining Hall.