Umesh Patel honored with Innovation Award

Umesh Patel was honored with the College of Engineering Innovation Award. Throughout his career Umesh has distinguished himself as an innovative global leader and in doing so, he has displayed the ingenuity and pursuit of excellence that epitomizes the Purdue engineer.

The College of Engineering kicked off its 150-year celebration with the annual Engineering Dinner. The evening marked the official launch of the yearlong sesquicentennial celebration.

As is tradition, three individuals were honored with Engineering Alumni Association Awards including Umesh Patel (BSE’86, MSEE’88, PhD IE’95) who was honored with the Innovation Award.

Patel is an innovative global leader in the medical device and regenerative medicine industry. He was one of two employees first hired to startup Cook Biotech, and who together lead the organization on a global scale today. He holds more than 50 US patents and is the author of more than 14 peer-reviewed publications. Each patent has a story and a need to improve the health of countless patients.

His journey started here at Purdue, first earning his BSE in Interdisciplinary Engineering with a concentration in Genetic Engineering in 1986. We consider Umesh a trailblazer, as those were the days before biomedical engineering had a school and dedicated faculty and students taking the necessary giant leaps to make it what it is today.

Patel has served as a guest faculty lecturer on biomedical engineering topics and leadership at several universities. He serves on several boards and committees including Purdue’s Weldon School of Engineering Advisory Board, Purdue Foundry Investment Fund, Indiana Center for Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) External Advisory Committee, and Greater Lafayette Commerce.

As a student and post-doc, Umesh conducted research at Purdue University’s Biomedical Engineering Center in the areas of cardiac output, impedance cardiography, hyperthermia, telemedicine and ECM materials. Patel earned a Doctorate in industrial engineering at Purdue. His Master of Science degree in electrical engineering and Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary engineering are also from Purdue University.

In 2021, Patel received the Outstanding Alumni Award. Watch his interview on YouTube.

Related: June 2, 2022 - Chance encounter reveals Purdue engineers’ remarkable connection

Related: Cook Biotech’s Umesh Patel Gives Engineering Students Career Advice.