Sheila Gujrathi, Grace Wang to Address 2024 Northwestern Engineering Graduates
Gujrathi and Wang will speak during ceremonies on June 10
Two distinguished alumni will address Northwestern Engineering’s Class of 2024 as part of the McCormick School of Engineering’s graduation ceremonies on Monday, June 10, at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Sheila Gujrathi (’92, MD ’96), a biotechnology executive and physician scientist, will speak at the McCormick Undergraduate Convocation. Grace Wang (PhD ’01), president of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), will speak at the McCormick PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony.
“Sheila and Grace are outstanding examples of how a Northwestern Engineering education can lead to impactful careers in both industry and academia,” said Christopher Schuh, dean of the McCormick School of Engineering. “I am excited for them to join us and share their wisdom and experiences with the Class of 2024.”
Sheila Gujrathi
Gujrathi is a biotechnology entrepreneur and executive, healthcare investor, and drug developer with more than 25 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. She has founded, built, and run numerous biotech companies and led the development and approval of multiple life-changing pharmaceutical drugs for patients with immunology and oncology diseases.
In addition to founding and investing in her own companies in the biotech industry, Gujrathi currently serves as a chairwoman, board director, strategic adviser, and consultant to multiple startup companies and investment healthcare funds. She is chairwoman of the board of directors for Ventyx Biosciences, ADARx Pharmaceuticals, and ImmPACT Bio, and director of Janux Therapeutics. She previously served as chair of the board of directors of Turning Point Therapeutics, which was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb.
Gujrathi is the cofounder and former CEO of Gossamer Bio. Prior to Gossamer Bio, she served as chief medical officer of Receptos (acquired by Celgene). Before that, she was vice president of the global clinical development group in immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb, and held multiple roles in immunology and oncology at Genentech.
Gujrathi completed the accelerated Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University, graduating with her MD and BS in biomedical engineering with highest distinction. She completed her internal medicine internship and residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and had additional fellowship training in allergy and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco, and Stanford University.
Grace Wang
Wang began as WPI’s 17th president in April 2023. She is also a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WPI.
Wang came to WPI from The Ohio State University, where she served as executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge, and as a professor of materials science and engineering. Prior to that, Wang served in leadership roles at the State University of New York (SUNY), including vice chancellor for research and economic development, senior vice chancellor for research and economic development, and interim provost.
Before SUNY, Wang served as deputy assistant director for engineering and later as acting assistant director for engineering at the US National Science Foundation where she oversaw a funding portfolio of more than $900 million, investing in frontier engineering research, supporting engineering education, and fostering innovation and technology commercialization.
A holder of seven US patents, Wang was appointed by the White House in 2022 to serve on the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. She is a council member of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She is a member of the board of governors for the New York Academy of Sciences. She also serves on the Board of Massachusetts High Technology Council.
Wang earned a PhD in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University.