Dr. Daniel Fletcher

Professor

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Biography

Daniel Fletcher is a Professor of Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and serves as the Purnendu Chatterjee Chair in Engineering Biological Systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Biochemistry at Stanford. Fletcher's research focuses on bioinstrumentation and the engineering of cellular systems, developing diagnostic technologies, and exploring mechanical regulation of cell behavior. His lab specializes in optical microscopy, force microscopy, and microfluidic technologies to unravel fundamental principles of cellular organization and dynamics. With recent projects examining the mechano-biochemistry of branched actin networks and membrane modeling, Fletcher aims to uncover spatial organization mechanisms for therapeutic purposes, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases. He has held various leadership positions, including Chair of the Bioengineering Department and Deputy Division Director at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Over the years, he has received numerous honors, including the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator award and the National Science Foundation CAREER award.

Research Interests

Experience

Chair

2015-01-01 — 2019-01-01

Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Associate Chair

2009-01-01 — 2015-01-01

Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Professor

2010-01-01 — Present

Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Deputy Division Director

2007-01-01 — 2015-01-01

Physical Biosciences, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

Associate Professor

2007-01-01 — 2010-01-01

Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Assistant Professor

2002-01-01 — 2007-01-01

Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Faculty Scientist

2003-01-01 — Present

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

Awards

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Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator

2017-01-01
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Purnendu Chatterjee Endowed Chair Engineering Biological Systems

2013-01-01
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Lester John Lynne Dewar Lloyd Distinguished Professorship

2010-01-01
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Outstanding Instructor Award

2010-01-01
#

Tech Award Laureate

2010-01-01
#

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Exploration Grant

2009-01-01
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White House Fellow

2008-01-01
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Hellman Faculty Fund Award

2005-01-01
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National Science Foundation CAREER Award

2004-01-01
#

UC Berkeley Presidential Chair Fellow

2003-01-01
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National Inventors Hall Fame Collegiate Inventors Award

2001-01-01
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National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

1996-01-01
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Rhodes Scholarship

1994-01-01

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.