Dr. Navdeep Chandel stands as a preeminent authority in mitochondrial biology whose transformative research has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of cellular metabolism. He currently holds the distinguished position of David W. Cugell Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he serves as Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care. A graduate of the University of Chicago with both a B.A. in Mathematics and his Ph.D., Dr. Chandel has established himself as a leading figure in the field through his innovative research spanning more than two decades. His strategic decision to remain at Northwestern despite numerous opportunities elsewhere reflects his commitment to the institution's collaborative environment and scholarly culture that has nurtured his groundbreaking discoveries.
Dr. Chandel's pioneering work has revolutionized the field by demonstrating that mitochondria function not merely as cellular powerhouses but as critical signaling organelles that regulate physiological responses through the release of reactive oxygen species and metabolites. His laboratory provided definitive evidence that mitochondrial metabolism is essential for cancer cell proliferation in vivo, challenging the long-held belief that increased aerobic glycolysis alone powered tumor growth. This paradigm-shifting discovery established that both aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism are indispensable for tumorigenesis, fundamentally altering cancer metabolism research. His influential book "Navigating Metabolism" (2014) has served as an essential primer for students and researchers entering the field, while his identification of how mitochondrial complex I inhibition by metformin exerts anti-tumor effects has opened new therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Chandel exemplifies the power of collaborative science, intentionally partnering with disease specialists to translate fundamental mitochondrial biology into insights about lung disease, cancer, and neurological disorders. He has mentored twenty-five graduate students and served on seventy-five to eighty thesis committees, earning the prestigious 2013-2014 Ver Steeg Award for exceptional mentorship that he considers his most meaningful professional honor. His work with Scott Budinger on the Simpson Querrey Lung Institute exemplifies his commitment to bridging basic science and clinical applications for therapeutic development. In 2023, Dr. Chandel's transformative contributions were recognized with the Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences, cementing his legacy as a visionary who continues to illuminate the intricate connections between mitochondrial signaling and human health.
