Coulter BME welcomes new faculty in synthetic biology, ophthalmology

The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University welcomes two new faculty to its ranks: Tara Deans, Ph.D., who will serve as associate professor of biomedical engineering, and Michael J.A. Girard, Ph.D., who will serve in a joint appointment in the Department and as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology in the Emory University School of Medicine.

We are thrilled to have both experts join our team and eagerly anticipate the remarkable contributions they will make to advance the field of biomedical engineering.

Tara Deans, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Deans comes to the Department from the University of Utah where she focused on Synthetic Biology, Stem Cells, Delivery Systems, Regeneration.

Her lab centers on building novel genetic tools to study stem cell differentiation mechanisms and influence cell fate decisions. Her research interests investigate various aspects of synthetic biology, including harnessing cells’ natural ability to sense diverse signals, integrate environmental inputs, and execute complex behaviors based on the organism's health or tissue conditions.

Additionally, Deans explores biomanufacturing, engineering cell delivery vehicles and producing biological molecules for applications in industry and human health.

Recognized with prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award, ONR Young Investigator Award, NIH Trailblazer Award, and an NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, Deans is a leader in her field. Her contributions extend beyond research as she was named a STEM Ambassador in the STEM Ambassador Program (STEMAP) at the University of Utah, engaging underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Deans earned a bachelor’s from Washington State University and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Boston University.

To learn more about Dr. Deans' lab and research endeavors, visit her website.

Michael J.A. Girard, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine

Joint Appointment in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering

Michaël J.A. Girard, PhD most recently served as an associate professor at the Duke-NUS School and is a Principal Investigator at the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) where he heads the Ophthalmic Engineering & Innovation Laboratory.

Girard is a leader in the field of ophthalmology research, having earned 38 grants—24 as a PI—and more than $6 million in research funding. He is the author of over 140 journal papers and has made his mark in translational research through filing 10 patent applications/invention disclosures, of which five were licensed to local or international companies.

His research interests include Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Physics-informed Machine Learning, Translational Ocular Biomechanics, Ophthalmic Devices, Glaucoma and other Optic Neuropathies, Myopia, Neurological Disorders, and Corneal Disorders.

Girard is also the primary founder of Abyss Processing Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based start up that provides 3D AI solutions to simplify and improve glaucoma diagnosis & prognosis.

Girard earned a master’s in mechanical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique Universitaire de Lyon and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Tulane University.

To learn more about Girard’s lab and research endeavors, visit his website.