Wittenberg University | Northwestern University | The University of Chicago | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Kalamazoo College | Lake Forest College | Cold Spring Harbor Labs

[ top ]

Lake Forest College, 2001-present

Grants To Support Integration of Research with Undergraduate Pedagogy:

•  National Science Foundation Course, Curriculum, Laboratory Improvement Grant, matched 1:1 by LFC, $141,878 (2003-2007)
•  Lake Forest College Learning and Teaching Center Grant Pedogical Innovation Grant $4000 (2003-2004)

EUKARYON: An Undergraduate Journal of Life Science Scholarship at lake Forest College | Molecular Neuroscience | Cell & Molecular Biology | Medical Mysteries | Advanced Cell Biology | Independent Research Colloquium | Neural Frontiers | Brain Awareness Week | NeuroFrontiers Workshop | Advanced Cell Biology - Frontiers of Parkinson's Disease Symposium

Kalamazoo College, 1998-2001

[ top ]

Present Research (1998-present):

I am interested in molecular mechanisms underlying human neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, I am investigating protein folding and protein degradation issues underlying Parkinson's Disease and Expanded Polyglutamine Diseases, using budding yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and fission yeasts (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) as model organisms.

For more information: DebBurman Lab

Research Grant Support:

•  American Parkinson Disease Association Individual Investigator Grant $50,000 (2008-2009)
•  National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award (NIH R15 AREA) Grant, $207,571 (2007-2010)
•  Parkinson Disease Foundation Grant $1700 to support undergraduate student research for Lokesh Kukreja'08 (2007)
•  National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award (NIH-AREA) Grant $195,811 (2004-2007)
•  NIH-AREA Supplement Award $25,708 (2004-2005) towards research training for Sara Herrera LFC'05
•  National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Grant $94,000 (co-PI with three other colleagues; 2001-2004)
•  Parkinson Disease Foundation $2000 (2004-2005) towards research training for Isaac Holmes LFC'05
•  Council of Undergraduate Research Fellowship $3000 (2003-2004) towards research training for NIjee Sharma LFC'04
•  Campbell Foundation (Michigan) Neurological Diseases Research Grant $61,000 (1999-2001)
•  Campbell Foundation (Michigan) Neurological Diseases Research Grant Supplement $4,700 (2000-2001)
•  Michigan Parkinson Foundation $4500 towards research training for Aash Bhatt K'01 (2000-2001)

Postdoctoral Research (1996-1998):

I investigated the role of molecular chaperones in influencing the misfolding of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Advisor: Susan Lindquist, Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago
[Currently Professor of Biology, and Former Director, Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research/M.I.T. ]
Collaborators: Byron Caughey, Senior Investigator, NIH Rocky Mountain labs,
& Christopher Ross, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University

Research Fellowship Support:

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation (LSRF) (1997-2000; voluntarily declined after 1998) University of Chicago Cancer Research Fund- Charles Webster Cancer Biology Fellow (1996-97)

Predoctoral Research (1992-1996):

I investigated the molecular mechanisms G protein-coupled kinases used to phosphorylate muscarinic cholinergic receptors and mediate their homologous desensitization to hormone stimulation. Advisor: Marlene Hosey, Professor, Molecular Pharmacology & Biological Chemistry, Northwestern University Medical School (Retired)

Research Fellowship Support:

Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America Foundation (PhRMAF) - Advanced Predoctoral Fellow (1993-1995)

Graduate Research Assistant (1991-1992):

I investigated the role of mitogenic growth factors in mouse olfactory neurogenesis.
Advisor: Albert Farbman, Professor of Neurobiology & Physiology, Northwestern University

Publications |  Affiliations |  Invited Speakers |  Presentations
Susan Lindquist |  Marlene Hosey |  Byron Caughey |  Christopher Ross |  Albert Farbman
NSF |  NIH |  HHMI |  LSRF |  PDF |  Michigan Parkinson Foundation |  CUR |  PhRMAF  |  APDA

[ top ]

Undegraduate Research Associates:  Click Here to Meet Them

I enjoy mentoring undergraduates of diverse backgrounds in and out of the classroom and thrive in exciting and empowering them about the scientific process, scientific discoveries, and scientific achievements. I stress the relevance of science within the context of an undergraduate liberal arts education in a multicultural global society and the value of being civic-minded. I use experiential forms of learning as a tool to generate this excitement. In addition to active involvment in scientific explorations in the classroom and laboratory, students are encouraged to work with me as peer teachers and writing consultants. I encourage students to become involved in undergraduate research with Lake Forest faculty or elsewhere, to attend and present their research at local or national scientific conferences,to engage in career development internships, experience other cultures, and volunteer time for community service. Till date, I have trained over twenty-five undergraduates in collaborative research experiences connected to my research program. All my past lab students who have graduated from Kalamazoo and Lake Forest have pursued advanced graduate degrees (including MD, PhD, MD/PhD, and PA). Several are now pursuing medical residencies.

[ top ]

Although I live in the United States, most of my family reside in India. In Indian terms, I am very proudly an ethnic mutt of four distinct cultures that my four grandparents represent (Tripuri, Bengali,Oriya andGujarati). My father's family hails from the state of Tripura in Northeastern India (once an ancient hindu kingdom). My mother's family hails from the erstwhile province of Hindol (within the eastern state of Orissa). I was born in the capital city of Orissa, Bhubaneswar (also known as the city of temples). Because my father worked for the Indian Railways, my culturally democratic childhood and schooling was spent over many towns and cities of eastern, central and northern India, including the memorable cities of Nagpur (Maharashtra), Guwahati (Assam), and New Delhi, India's capitol. Since I came to the United States in 1987, I have lived in Springfield (Ohio), Evanston (Illinois), Chicago (Illinois), and Kalamazoo (Michigan), and Lake Forest (Illinois).

Presently, I live in Lake Bluff (llinois) with my wife, Noyna, who is a labor and development economist with research interests in the economics of education issues associated with U.S. immigrants. In 2004, we became proud parents of our little girl, Shruti Kumudini.

India |  Delhi |  Agartala (Tripura) |  Bhubaneswar (Orissa) |  Guwahati (Assam) |  Nagpur (Maharashtra) |  Chicago (IL) |  Evanston (IL) |  Springfield (OH) |  Kalamazoo (MI) |  Lake Forest (IL) |  Lake Bluff (IL)

[ top ]

[ top ]