Dr. Batra named biochemistry and molecular biology chair

Surinder Batra, Ph.D.

One of UNMC’s top researchers, Surinder Batra, Ph.D., has been named chairman of the College of Medicine’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB).

Dr. Batra, who also serves as senior associate dean for research and development for the College of Medicine, succeeds Judith Christman, Ph.D., who has been chairwoman of the department for 15 years. His appointment is effective Sept. 1. Dr. Christman will continue in her research and student mentoring roles.

Dr. Batra’s career timeline 1983 — Joins the department of biochemistry at North Carolina State University in the laboratory of Dr. William Miller. 1986 — Returns to his native India to become senior research officer at the National Institute of Immunology and subsequently as biotechnology manager for Cadila Pharmaceutical Company. 1988 — Begins postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in the laboratory of late Dr. Richard Metzgar. 1991 — Appointed assistant professor in the department of pathology at Duke. 1999 — Comes to UNMC as an associate professor of biochemistry and microbiology. 2002 — Named professor of biochemistry and microbiology. 2008 — Elevated to vice chairman of BMB department. 2009 — Named associate dean of research and development in the College of Medicine. 2009 — Appointed as chairman of the BMB department.

“Dr. Batra is a true superstar,” said John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Medicine. “The department has grown exponentially under Dr. Christman, and I have total confidence that Dr. Batra will keep the momentum going.

“He has tremendous vision for the department. His dedication to research coupled with his strong commitment to working with students makes him a perfect fit for this position.”

A prodigious researcher, Dr. Batra has:

• Secured $7.2 million in active research funding as well as several grant applications pending;
  
• Published in 209 peer-reviewed journals; and
  
• Served on several National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DOD) review panels.

Since coming to UNMC, he has brought in more than $9.3 million in total research funding.

His current funding includes:

• Three RO1 grants;
  
• A Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant;
  
• An Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) grant from the NIH; and
  
• Several DOD grants.

His research is focused on identification, characterization and application of novel genes and gene products for cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer, which is considered one of the most lethal forms of cancer.

He has big plans for the BMB Department.

“By working together as a team, I think the BMB Department can achieve even greater national and international recognition,” he said.

Some of the goals that he would like to accomplish include:

• Increasing federal research funding through more grants from the NIH, the DOD, the Department of Energy and other agencies;
  
• More focus on trying to procure program project grants;
  
• Recruitment of two to three new faculty members;
  
• Adding to the existing strength of BMB’s solid graduate program through training grants and recruitment of additional graduate students; and
  
• Encouraging BMB faculty to seek more inter- and intra-departmental collaborations at UNMC as well as collaborations with other institutions.

What others are saying “Surinder is one of the most highly motivated, creative and productive scientists I have seen in my many years working in academic health sciences centers. His work is powerful and it is almost certain that it will lead to improved outcomes for cancer patients. At the same time, he is an extraordinary leader who has great interpersonal skills, kindness and generosity. I look forward with great anticipation to his facilitation of new research growth.” — Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research “Surinder is a well-rounded scientist. He’s very collegial and adept at collaborating across colleges and institutes. He loves what he does. That’s why he’s so successful. He has many students in his lab, and he works on a lot of study sections, so he knows what it takes to get a grant funded.” — Paula Turpen, Ph.D., director of research resources

Dr. Batra also is among UNMC’s most accomplished inventors. Research from his group has led to six U.S. patents and several technologies and reagents, which are being marketed to technology companies. He received the Joseph Gilmore Outstanding Investigator Award in 2001, the Alvin M. Earle Outstanding Health Sciences Educator Award in 2005, and he was named one of UNMC’s Distinguished Scientists in 2006.

In addition to his research, Dr. Batra is involved in teaching medical, pharmacy and graduate students and in developing training programs for graduate and summer students at UNMC. Several graduate students and postdocs working in his research group are funded by his various grants.