Deborah Keller

Deborah Keller, a double board-certified colorectal surgeon, has always been passionate about bridging medicine and technology to improve patient care. As a professor of practice in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, she will apply her clinical experience to drive health care innovation. 

“My clinical experience drives my work, and I’m excited to continue developing solutions that improve health care delivery,” says Keller.

Keller’s academic journey began at Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied fine art and biological sciences as a pre-medical student. She also took courses in engineering, business and design, which enriched her multidisciplinary perspective. She later earned a master’s degree in health care policy and management, gaining insights into health care delivery and practice models.

After earning her medical degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Keller built a career as a high-volume minimally invasive surgeon, specializing in robotic, endoscopic, AI-driven, and advanced imaging platforms. These technologies allowed her to improve surgical precision, reduce recovery times and enhance patient outcomes.

“I was fortunate to train in Stanford’s biodesign program after years in clinical practice, which reshaped my approach,” Keller says. “It shifted my focus from chasing solutions to true needs-based innovation. I emphasize identifying real clinical problems before developing technologies to address them.”

At ASU, Keller is eager to collaborate across disciplines, believing that multidisciplinary partnerships are essential for addressing unmet clinical needs. She is committed to training the next generation of engineers and health care professionals, equipping them with the skills to navigate complex health care systems while leveraging emerging technologies.

Her teaching emphasizes real-world applications, encouraging students to engage with providers and patients to identify clinical challenges and develop impactful solutions.

Beyond teaching, Keller actively mentors students and researchers. She has received multiple teaching and research awards and has guided more than 30 medical students, residents and fellows through research projects, dissertations and clinical training. Her experience in high-stakes medical environments provides students with valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in health care innovation.

In addition to her work in medicine and academia, Keller maintains a creative side. As an undergraduate, one of her majors was fine art, and she continues to draw and paint in her free time.

“My artistic background allows me to approach problem-solving, combining creativity with structured innovation to uncover fresh solutions,” she says.

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Allison Lyne