Satya Dandekar is a professor of Microbiology and the chairperson of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at UC Davis and has a joint appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UC Davis School of Medicine. Dr. Dandekar’s research program is focused on the molecular pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus  and simian immunodeficiency virus infections with special emphasis on gastrointestinal mucosal lymphoid tissue as a major target organ of the viral infection and as a viral reservoir.

This has led to a recent appointment to the NIH Director’s Council of Public Representatives and is also recognized in her frequent contributions as a reviewer of many journals in her field of research such as the Journal of Virology, Blood, Journal of Experimental Medicine, American Journal of Pathology, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, AIDS etc. Dr. Dandekar maintains memberships in several societies and associations, is a well-known lecturer both nationally and internationally, and has been an invited speaker at a number of recognized academic institutions. She received a Ph.D. from the University of Baroda, India.