Chandan K. Sen, who came to Pitt in July from Indiana University School of Medicine, will take over as director of the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine starting Sept. 1.
Sen, a renowned expert in regenerative medicine and pioneer of novel wound care technologies, was recruited by Pitt and UPMC this summer. He brought a large scientific and clinical team and a considerable research portfolio to Pittsburgh.
When he arrived at Pitt he was named co-director of the McGowan Institute, along with William Wagner. who is now stepping down after 12 years as director. Sen also serves as associate vice chancellor for life sciences innovation and commercialization for Pitt Health Sciences and an endowed professor of surgery in the School of Medicine.
Sen is the chief scientific officer of the UPMC wound care service. In partnership with the Department of Plastic Surgery, he will provide leadership to the newly formed Pitt McGowan Wound Research Consortium across 20 UPMC outpatient wound clinics statewide. This also will be the Pennsylvania home of the NIH’s national Diabetic Foot Consortium of which Sen is the national vice chair.
“Embracing the legacy of innovation and fueled by the passion of our dedicated researchers and partners, I am humbled to lead the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine into a future where scientific boundaries are mere milestones, and seeding the healthcare of the future becomes an art of possibilities,” Sen said in an announcement. “Together, we shall weave the threads of discovery, compassion, and collaboration, sculpting a tapestry of hope for generations to come.”
Sen replaces Wagner who is returning to the Swanson School of Engineering where he holds appointments in bioengineering and chemical and petroleum engineering. Earlier this year, Wagner was given the Marlin Mickle Outstanding Innovator Award from the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The award is given to a Pitt faculty member who has achieved a sustained commitment to innovation throughout a distinguished career.
Sen previously was a professor of surgery and director of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for health sciences, who also came to Pitt from Indiana University in 2020, will formally introduce Sen and his team to the McGowan Institute community at a town hall from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at the fourth floor conference room at Bridgeside Point II, 450 Technology Drive.
To register for the town hall, email Shomita Steiner at ssteiner@pitt.edu.
— Susan Jones
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