Dr. Celeste Nelson

Professor

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Biography

Celeste M. Nelson is a Wilke Family Professor in the Department of Chemical Biological Engineering at Princeton University, where she also directs the Tissue Morphodynamics Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding the complex interactions governing tissue and organ development, with an emphasis on the fundamental mechanisms of morphogenesis. Nelson's work integrates insights from cell biology, developmental biology, and engineering to create organotypic culture models that mimic the development of mammalian tissues. She is particularly interested in the cellular cooperation and dynamic spatial organization that facilitate normal branching morphogenesis in organs such as the lung, kidney, and mammary gland, as well as the aberrations that occur in neoplastic growth. Acknowledged for her contributions to biomedical engineering, she has received numerous accolades including the Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society and several teaching awards from Princeton University. Nelson earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 and holds dual S.B. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, obtained in 1998. Dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration, her work aims to elucidate new strategies in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

Princeton University • Princeton, NJ

Wilke Family Professor in the Department of Chemical Biological Engineering directing the Tissue Morphodynamics Laboratory.

Awards

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Fellow

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Excellence in Teaching Award

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AIChE Area 15d/e Life Sciences Plenary Award

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NIH Director's Pioneer Award

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Biodiversity Grand Challenge Award

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Mid-Career Award

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Blavatnik National Award Finalist

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Faculty Scholar

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College of Fellows

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Distinguished Teaching Award

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Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award

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Allan P. Colburn Award

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Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship

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Packard Fellowship

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Career Award

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Postdoctoral Fellowship

Requirements for Princeton University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Speaking
Required:27
IELTS
Speaking
Required:8
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in engineering or science Strong background in mathematics, materials, physics, or related engineering
Application Checklist
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Application Fee
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are not accepted. Ph.D. is the primary degree; students are not required to hold an M.S.E. prior to admission.