Padmini Pillai and Nalini Tata, two exceptional individuals from Boston and New York, respectively, have been selected for the 2024-25 class of White House Fellows. This prestigious fellowship recognizes individuals with outstanding talent, leadership potential, and commitment to public service. Both were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, reflecting their unique accomplishments and dedication.

Padmini Pillai
Padmini Pillai, a renowned immunoengineer from Newton, Massachusetts, is widely respected for her work at the intersection of immunology and biomaterials to address challenging diseases. Previously at MIT, she led a team developing a tumour-targeting nanotherapy for difficult-to-treat cancers and was an influential voice on immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pillai's personal experiences, including her diagnosis with a serious illness in 2013, have shaped her outlook and dedication to her field. She holds a PhD in immunobiology from Yale University and a BA in biochemistry from Regis College.

Nalini Tata
Nalini Tata, a neurosurgery resident at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has managed complex neurosurgical cases, including trauma and cancer surgeries. Her public service commitment is evident in her work and her co-authored book on the ethics of neurosurgery, especially within the challenges of the COVID-19 era. Tata’s impressive academic background includes degrees from Brown University, the University of Cambridge, Northwestern University, and Harvard Kennedy School.

Both Fellows are poised to bring valuable insights to their year-long experience in the White House, where they will work alongside top officials, contributing to significant policy initiatives and deepening their capacities as leaders in public service.