Dr. Samira Musah is an internationally recognized leader in stem cell engineering and human-relevant disease modeling, serving as the Alfred M. Hunt Faculty Scholar Assistant Professor at Duke University with joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Medicine (Nephrology). She holds a secondary faculty appointment in the Department of Cell Biology and faculty affiliations in the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (DSCB) Program, as well as the Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program (ITEHP) at Duke. Renowned for pioneering research at the interface of stem cell biology, biophysics/biomechanics, and translational bioengineering, Dr. Musah has developed groundbreaking methods for patient-specific stem cell differentiation and engineered human-relevant organ-on-chip platforms that have transformed disease modeling and therapeutic discovery. Her work has resulted in several peer-reviewed journal publications (Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Protocols, Science Advances, PNAS, ACS Nano, etc.) and patented/licensed technologies (to Stem Cell Technologies, Emulate Bio., etc.). Dr. Musah has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, Whitehead Scholarship in Biomedical Research, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Transition Award, Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMBE) Young Innovator, Baxter’s Young Investigator Award, Genentech Research Award, and the Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative Award. Dr. Musah’s research has been featured in Nature Biotechnology, Cell Stem Cell, Harvard Catalyst, Forbes Magazine, etc. She was named an “Inspiring Scientist in America” (Cell Press), an “Outstanding and Trailblazing Researcher” (Nature Biotechnology), and a Rising Star in Biomedical Engineering (MIT). As the associate director of the Duke Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering/NIH T32 program, Dr. Musah is committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Her trainees have earned competitive fellowships (e.g., NSF GRFP, HHMI Gilliam, NIH T32, etc.) and secured positions at leading institutions (Georgia Tech, Harvard, MIT, Rice Univ., Vanderbilt Univ., etc.). Her service to the profession and community is reflected in her leadership of an interdisciplinary research team, mentorship, pursuit of excellence, and impactful outreach in local, national, and international settings. Dr. Musah has a unique combination of scientific vision, technical expertise, and proven leadership in research, education, and mentorship.