USA Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Faculty

Academic Faculty


Ronald D. Balczon, Ph.D.

Ronald D. Balczon, Ph.D.

Professor

Research interests: The role of the microtubule cytoskeleton in health and disease

 


Christopher Davies, Ph.D.

Christopher Davies, Ph.D.

Professor and Associate Dean for Research

Research interests: Structure and function investigations of enzymes involved in peptidoglycan metabolism in bacteria

 


Simon Grelet, Ph.D.

Simon Grelet, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Research interests: Embryo-related tumor cell plasticity & primary tumor neurogenesis

 


Richard E. Honkanen, Ph.D.

Richard E. Honkanen, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

Research interests: Protein phosphatases (Molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis; mechanisms of cardioprotective agents in ischemic myocytes)

 


Lucia Rameh Plant, Ph.D.

Lucia Rameh Plant, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Research interests: Nutrient sensing and signaling through inositol-derived molecules (phosphoinositides and inositol phosphates) in the context of pancreatic ß-cell function and diabetes.

 


Aishwarya Prakash, Ph.D.

Aishwarya Prakash, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

 


Wito Richter, Ph.D.

Wito Richter, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Research interests: Cyclic nucleotide signaling and cAMP phosphodiesterases

 


Mark Swingle, Ph.D.

Mark Swingle, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Research interests: Protein phosphatase function and regulation; Assay/screening development and ligand discovery

 

 

Joint Appointments


Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D.

Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Member, Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute

dchakroborty@southalabama.edu
(507) 271-2880

Post-doctoral Research Fellow: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

 


Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D.

Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Mitchell Cancer Institute

dasgupta@southalabama.edu
(251) 471-7719

Postdoctoral Studies: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Ph.D.: Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute 

Research interests: Mitochondria play a significant role in human tumorigenesis. Dasgupta laboratory is keenly interested to learn how cancer cells evolve by reprogramming mitochondrial functions and apply this knowledge for the strategic development of biomarkers and therapeutics. Dasgupta laboratory is also interested in exosome related studies to unravel their potential use in biomarker and therapeutic development. Dr. Dasgupta has published over 70 peer reviewed articles and currently serves as an editorial board member in several cancer related journals. He also served as a grant reviewer of national and international agencies including NIH, Cancer Research UK fund and mentored several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

 


Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D.

Chandrani Sarkar, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Member, Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute

csarkar@southalabama.edu
(251) 445-9871

Post-doctoral Research Fellow: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Research interests: My research focuses on how neuromodulators influence the tumor microenvironment during metastatic cancer progression. I am particularly interested in uncovering the molecular mechanisms that alter this environment, contributing to tumor growth and recurrence. The ultimate goal is to leverage this understanding to develop effective treatment strategies.