Pillai is an immunoengineer known for her work in cancer research, while Tata is a neurosurgery resident with a focus on public service and healthcare policy.Photo: X Pillai is an immunoengineer known for her work in cancer research, while Tata is a neurosurgery resident with a focus on public service and healthcare policy.Photo: X 
Padmini Pillai from Boston and Nalini Tata from New York have been selected for the 2024-25 class of White House Fellows, as announced on Thursday. This prestigious program recognizes individuals with extraordinary talent and leadership potential.
Pillai and Tata are among 15 exceptional individuals from the United States chosen for this year’s fellowship. According to the White House, these Fellows underwent a highly competitive selection process and stood out for their accomplishments, passion, and dedication to public service.
White House Fellows typically spend a year working closely with senior White House staff, cabinet secretaries, and top-ranking administration officials. The program prepares them to return to their communities as stronger leaders with valuable experiences.
The Fellows come from a wide range of professions, including the private sector, state government, academia, non-profits, medicine, and the armed forces. This diverse expertise contributes to their ability to serve in meaningful ways.
Who is Padmini Pillai?Padmini Pillai, a highly skilled immunoengineer from Newton, Massachusetts, is known for bridging the gap between immunology research and biomaterial design to treat diseases. She is currently based at the Social Security Administration.
Previously, she led a team at MIT that developed a tumour-targeting nanotherapy to fight hard-to-treat cancers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pillai gained attention for her expert commentary on vaccination and immunity in outlets like CNBC and The New York Times. Her personal experience of being diagnosed with a serious illness in 2013 deeply shaped her outlook on life, giving her a renewed sense of gratitude.
Pillai holds a PhD in immunobiology from Yale University and a BA in biochemistry from Regis College.
Who is Nalini Tata?Nalini Tata, another newly appointed Fellow, is a neurosurgery resident at the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She manages a wide range of emergency and elective neurosurgical conditions, including trauma cases and complex cancer surgeries.
Tata has also co-authored a book exploring the ethics of neurosurgery, focusing on challenges faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Her commitment to public service and her career in neurosurgery reflect her deep interest in the intersection of medicine and policy.
She holds an impressive academic background, including degrees from Brown University, the University of Cambridge, Northwestern University, and Harvard Kennedy School.
Tata is currently placed in the Office of Cabinet Affairsphlove, where she will work with top officials to contribute to key policy decisions.