Tarek Fadel manages a research center at MIT focusing on grand challenges in cancer detection and treatment. He also serves in board and advisory roles at the Yale Graduate School Alumni Association and the MIT Science Policy Review.

Before joining MIT, Tarek was a Staff Scientist at the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, the coordinating body for the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). During his time at Washington, he served as the Executive Secretary for the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology, a Subcommittee within the White House’s National Science and Technology Council.

Tarek received his Ph.D. from Yale University, and held positions as Vice President for Research at the International Technology Research Institute, and in product engineering at Hewlett Packard.

What are your passions and hobbies?

Exercise, building things, travel, good coffee.

Do you have a personal motto or other words to live by?

One that keeps me smiling is “you can’t plan for crazy.” Also, one while I am at MIT (but I’ve always abided by) is “mens et manus,” which translates from Latin to “mind and hand:” don’t just think, but roll up your sleeves and apply what you’ve learned to solve the challenges you’re facing!

Favorite snack food?

Dark chocolate