Dr. Vinayak Dravid is a Professor of Materials Science at Northwestern University , and member of NU's Materials Research Center , Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center . He is director of the NUANCE Center . He received his B.Tech. from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay India in 1984 and his Ph. D. from Lehigh University in 1984. He joined Northwestern University in 1990. Professor Dravid's research and teaching interests revolve around nanoscale phenomena in materials, at the intersection of biology and medicine - specifically synthesis and patterning of nanostructures, bio-chem diagnostics, therapeutic nanomaterials, and prudent use of emerging microscopy/probe techniques. He is recipient of several awards, including NSF young investigator, Burton medal, fellow of ACerS, among several others. Professor Dravid has served the microscopy, microanalysis and materials community in various capacities, including officer positions in ACerS, Principal Editor: Journal of Materials Research, Principal Editor (Mat. Sci.) Microscopy and Microanalysis (MiMi), and Editorial Board: Journal of Microscopy ( UK ).