Darshana Patel

Darshana Patel is an American scientist and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 76th district since 2024. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she holds a Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of California, Irvine, and previously worked in oncology research at Genentech. Before her election to the state legislature, she served as President of the Poway Unified School District and as a commissioner for the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs. As a legislator, she has focused on public safety and cultural recognition, including efforts to close legal loopholes regarding threats against institutions and sponsoring legislation to establish Diwali as a state public holiday.