Navdeep S Chandel

Navdeep S Chandel serves as the David W. Cugell, MD, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He holds affiliations with multiple research centers including the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for Diabetes and Metabolism, and Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics.

His research revolutionized mitochondrial biology by establishing mitochondria as signaling organelles beyond their traditional role as cellular powerhouses. Key discoveries include mitochondrial ROS as essential second messengers for hypoxic gene transcription and immune activation, and the metabolite L-2HG regulating stem cell differentiation through epigenetic modifications. This work overturned the Warburg effect dogma by demonstrating both glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism are essential for tumor growth, and revealed metformin's anti-tumor mechanism through mitochondrial complex I inhibition.

His recent publications (2025) focus on mitochondrial roles in aging, T-cell immunity, and cancer vulnerabilities, showing consistent leadership in mitochondrial signaling across immunology, oncology, and aging research. Trends indicate growing emphasis on therapeutic targeting of mitochondrial metabolites in immune disorders and cancer.

• Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate 2018-2022, Web of Science 2018-2019)
• Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences (2023)
• National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Award (2016)
• Anthony Linnane Young Investigator Award (2006)

Chandel serves as Associate Editor for Journal of Clinical Investigation and Science Advances, and sits on scientific advisory boards for Pew Stewart Scholars and Pershing Square Foundation. His lab receives substantial research funding supporting investigations into mitochondrial roles in cancer, viral pneumonia, neurological diseases, and aging.