Bela Peethambaran, PhD, Named Assistant Professor of Biology at University of the Sciences

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PHILADELPHIA, PA (10/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Bela Peethambaran, PhD, was recently named assistant professor of biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of the Sciences' Misher College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Peethambaran will teach molecular biology in the fall semester and genetics in the spring semester.

Dr. Peethambaran pursued her undergraduate and master degrees from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India. After two years as a research associate at the Institute of Kidney Disease and Research Center in Ahmedabad and teaching science and English to high school students, Peethambaran moved to the United States to pursue her PhD at Mississippi State University. Her thesis was focused on the utilization of classical 2D gel-electrophoresis and multi dimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) to identify proteins that consistently differ in resistant and susceptible maize genotypes. The expression of proteins was also studied at DNA and RNA level by using molecular biology techniques.

Upon graduation in 2006, Dr. Peethambaran worked as a post doctoral research associate at University of Minnesota focusing research on identifying genes that play defense role in Arabidopsis thaliana when infected with Pseudomonas syringae using reverse genetics and molecular biology.

In 2008, Dr. Peethambaran began her post doctoral fellow-teaching at Villanova University. At Villanova, Peethambaran taught graduate and undergraduate biology students break-through technologies and principles in cell and molecular biology. She also worked independently as a researcher to understand role of 14-3-3 genes in drought stress in plant model organism Arabidopsis thaliana and drought tolerant grass Eragrostis.

At USciences, Dr. Peethambaran will continue to focus her research on the role of 14-3-3 proteins in natural antioxidant production in Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants.

At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in science and healthcare-related fields. A private, coeducational institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the nation's first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the sciences and healthcare marketplace since its founding in 1821, including founders of six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world. With undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy, the 3,000 students in USciences' five colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving science and healthcare in their communities and in the lives of people worldwide. Learn more at www.usp.edu.

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