Dr. Soma Mukhopadhyay

Soma Mukhopadhyay

Lecturer
Office: Science Hall 2005W
Email: SMUKHOPADHYAY@augusta.edu

Classes

BIOL 1101: Fundamentals of Biology
BIOL 1107 & BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology I & II
BIOL 2111 & BIOL 2112: Anatomy & Physiology I & II
BIOL 4950: Fossils, Genes, and Humans (Study Abroad)
BIOL 4990: Undergraduate Research
MEDS 1107: Biological Principles
MEDS 3100: Scientific Interpretation and Critical Thinking
INQR 1000: Fundamentals of Academic Inquiry

Education/Career Background

B.S. – Zoology (Major), Botany & Physiology (Minor) – University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India
M.S. – Zoology (Research Area – Genetics) - University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India
Ph.D. – Nuclear Medicine – Indian Institute of Chemical Biology/Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India
Post-Doctoral Studies – Cellular Physiology – Medical College of University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Professional Certification in Biotechnology – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Fellowship

Fellow, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL); Augusta University (2018 – 2020)
Fellow, Faculty Mentoring Network, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Chevy Chase, Maryland (2018 – 2019)
Biomedical Informatics Course Fellowship; NIH & National Library of Medicine (2017)
Senior Research Fellowship, Indian Council of Medical Research (1990-1991)
Junior Research Fellowship, Indian Council of Medical Research (1986-1990)
National Scholarship, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India (1977-1982)

Work Experience

Teaching at Augusta University – From 2013
Also Taught at - University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
Pennsylvania State University Altoona College, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Cincinnati State College, Cincinnati, Ohio
Sinclair Community College, Cincinnati, Ohio

Teaching Awards

Boundless Teaching Award, Center for Instructional Innovation, Augusta University (2020)
High Five Award, Center for Undergraduate Research & Scholarship, Augusta University (2020)
Favorite Faculty Award, Sponsored by Housing and Resident Life, Augusta University (2017)
Students' Faculty Choice Award, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University (2016)
Students’ Faculty Choice Award, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University (2015)
Outstanding Lecturer Award, Pennsylvania State University Altoona College (1999)
Nominated for President’s Award, University of Cincinnati (2013)
Nominated for Distinguished Teaching Award, University of Cincinnati-Raymond Walters College (2007)

Membership to Professional Societies

American Association for Anatomy
Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (HAPS)
International Society for Evolution, Medicine and Public Health (ISEMPH)
Georgia Academy of Science (GAS)

Fun Facts

I also have a degree in Music.
I am a performing poet and artist and performed in TV & Radio shows, live performance at India, USA and Canada. I am an adept Master of Ceremony in both languages – English and Bengali
Passion – Art & Photography

Research Interests

The study of Molecular Basis of Human Evolution, It's Significance in Human Anatomy & Physiology and its use in Personalized Health Care.
Use of Radioactive Tracers as an Effective Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Structural and Functional Information in the Human Body
Monitoring Arterial Contractility - A Measure for Understanding Hypertension as well as the Neural Function and the Influence of antioxidants.

Grant Award

Textbook Transformation Grant, University System of Georgia (2018-2020)
Textbook Transformation Grant, University System of Georgia (2019-2020)

Current Research Students

Juan Ayala

Former Research Students

Cynthia Lynn Wilson, Adam Judy, Sean Mongan, Nilabhra M. Sanyal, Alisha Wise , Brittany Blocker, Rachel Bishop and Larissa Brittingham

MEDIA

Augusta University
American Association for Anatomy (The Artistic Scientist)

Publications & Presentations

Publications (Recent):
Book:

  • Mukhopadhyay, S., Davis, C., and Wilson, C. Fundamentals of Biology Laboratory Manual (for Distance Learning); First Edition 2020. Hayden-McNeil Publishers
  • Mukhopadhyay, S., and Wagner, L. R. (2019). Rabbit Anatomy : A Brief Photographic Atlas and Dissection Guide. First edition, Augusta, Georgia : Augusta University, Center for Instructional Innovation. https://augusta.openrepository.com/handle/10675.2/622929
  • Mukherjee, Susanta Kumar, Mukhopadhyay Soma and Sanyal, Nilabhra Mukhopadhyay (2016), “Ekatmo” (One-Soul) – A literary Collection of Three Generations

Manuscript

  • Soma Mukhopadhyay; Chromatophores, Melanocytes, and Skin color. Research Supplement, American Association of Anatomy. October 2020. https://www.anatomy.org/AAA/News-Journals/Newsletter-Articles/Chromatophores-Melanocytes-and-Skin-Color.aspx?_zs=sDF5P1&_zl=sIu16
  • Hopp, Rachel; Britson, Carol; Mukhopadhyay, Soma, Anya Goldina, et.al. (2017) A Study on the Use of Teaching Assistants in Human Anatomy and Physiology: Their Prevalence Recruitment Strategies, Funding, Retention, and Training. HAPS Educator (manuscript - accepted)
  • Mukhopadhyay, Soma. (2016) The Study of Molecular Evidences of Human Evolution, Gene Flow, Genetic Isolation, Interbreeding and Their Significance in the Human Physiology. MOJ Anatomy & Physiology 2(2): 00039, DOI: 10.15406/mojap.2016.02.00039 (Review Article)

Blog Article

Conference Proceedings:

  • Mukhopadhyay Soma (2020) Skin and Gene – A Metacognitive Model to Combine Knowledge and Awareness; Lily International Teaching and Learning Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Ayala, Juan* and Soma Mukhopadhyay (2020) Skin Color, A Natural Sunscreen - It’s Physiology, Molecular Evolution and Beyond - A Pilot Study; Posters at the Georgia Capitol. Organized by Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective
  • Wilson, Cynthia Lynn*, Sanyal, Nilabhra M*, Wise Alisha* and Mukhopadhyay, Soma. (2017) The Significance of the Study of Evolution: Development and Implementation of an Interactive Course Module: Phase II; Annual Conference of Georgia Academy of Science, Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Hopp, Rachel; Britson, Carol; Mukhopadhyay, Soma, Anya Goldina, et.al. (2017) A Study on the Use of Teaching Assistants in Human Anatomy and Physiology: Their Prevalence Recruitment Strategies, Funding, Retention, and Training. Annual Conference of Human Anatomy & Physiology Society, Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Wilson, Cynthia Lynn* and Mukhopadhyay, Soma. (2017) The Significance of the Study of Evolution: Development and Implementation of an Interactive Course Module: Phase I; Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference, Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Mukhopadhyay, Soma. (2017) Significance of Gene Expression: Instilling the Concept of Molecular Evolution to Foster the Understanding of Human Body and Health; A Pilot Study. Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Conference, Abstract and Poster Presentation. 2018 EII Health Sciences Education Day, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University (2018)
  • Koss, Anna* and Mukhopadhyay, Soma (2017). The Past and the Present of The Birth Control and Its Impact on Women’s Health; Myth, Prejudice and The Benefits: A Pilot Study. Igniting The Dream of Medicine Conference, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Mukhopadhyay, Soma. (2016) Significance of Gene Expression: Bringing the Evolutionary Perspective as an Invigorating tool for Better Understanding of Human Anatomy and Physiology. Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Conference, Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Judy, Adam.*, Sanyal, Nilabhra M*., and Mukhopadhyay, Soma (2016); Integration of the study of molecular evolution for better understanding of the human body. Phi-Kappa-Phi Conference at Augusta University. Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Judy, Adam.*, Sanyal, Nilabhra M.*, Mongan, Sean* and Mukhopadhyay, Soma; (2015) Development of an Interactive Course-Module: “Understanding the Molecular Basis of Human Evolution and its use in Personalized Health Care” - Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference, Georgia Southern University. Abstract and Poster Presentation
  • Mongan, Sean* and Mukhopadhyay Soma; (2015) Understanding the Human Body through Molecular Evolution and Its Use in Health Care: Phi Kappa Phi Conference at Georgia Regents University. Abstract and Presentation
  • Bishop, Rachel*; Blocker, Brittany*; Brittingham, Larissa* and Mukhopadhyay, Soma; (2014) Development of an Interactive Course-Module: “Teaching and Learning Molecular Basis of Evolution to Human Body”: Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference, Georgia Southern University. Abstract and Presentation
  • Bishop, Rachel*; Blocker, Brittany* and Mukhopadhyay, Soma; (2014) Teaching and Learning Molecular Basis of Evolution to Human Body - An Interactive Approach: Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Conference, Georgia Regents University. Poster Presentation.

*undergraduate students

Seminar/Conference Presentation:

Scientific

  • Laughing Gas, Not a Laughing Matter: A History of Anesthesia; History of Health Sciences Series; Greenblatt Library, Augusta University (2019)
  • Skin, Gene and Humans: Understanding Evolution of Skin Color – at Annual Conference of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Portland, Oregon (2019); Sponsored by Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • Fossils, Genes and Humans; A Study Abroad experience at Tanzania – at Faculty Forum, organized by College of Math and Science, Augusta University (2018)
  • Effective Recruitment, Retention and Training for Teaching Assistants in Anatomy and Physiology – A Panel Discussion at Annual Conference of Human Anatomy & Physiology Society, Salt Lake City (2017)
  • Significance of Gene Expression: Bringing the Evolutionary Perspective as an Invigorating Tool for Better Understanding of Human Anatomy and Physiology – at CIRCA (Celebration In Research & Creative Activities), Augusta University (2017)
  • Research Experience – A Panel Discussion- Organized by Center for Undergraduate Research (CURS), Georgia Regents University (2014)
  • How to Draw and Interpret Graphs: Using a PC Package for Better Concept Learning – at Ninth Annual Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium, Pennsylvania State University, (2001)
  • Nuclear Medicine: A Tool for Diagnosis and Treatment – at Penn State Altoona College Colloquium (2000)
  • 99mTc-Amino Acid Chelates and Their Properties as a Potential Radiopharmaceuticals – at XXII Conference of Society of Nuclear Medicine, India. (1990)

Literary & Cultural

  • Directed and Acted – Audio Drama (2020)
  • Poetry Reading at Fund-raising Concert (Virtual) for Cyclone Amphan Victims at India (2020)
  • Poetry reading during Writer’s weekend at Augusta, Ga (2020)
  • Rhythm of Compassion – A Panel Discussion Organized by South Carolina Humanities and Chhondeshi of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (collaborative work with faculties from five Institutes in three states) (2017)
  • Wonderful Diversity of Incredible India, Department of Biological Sciences, Augusta University (2018).
  • Poetry Reading, Ruposhi Bangla TV Channel, Kolkata, India (2017)
  • Travelling Forever, Own Poetry Reading at Poetry Matters Project, Augusta (2017)
  • A “Humorous” Discussion” – A Panel Discussion on Shakespeare and the four humors (with Dr Blaire Zeiders and Dr Brian Armstrong). Organized by Augusta University Libraries, Augusta, GA (2017)
  • Bengali Culture, Music, Dance, Literature and Mechanisms of Cultural Exchanges – A Panel Discussion Organized by South Carolina Humanities and University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (collaborative work with faculties from eight Institutes in three states) (2017)
  • Poetry Reading – at 4th Annual Emerging Writer’s Conference, Augusta University (2016)
  • Focus on India – at University of Cincinnati, Worldfest 2007
  • Women and Society – at Penn State’s LIASON Commission for Women, Altoona Div. Sponsored Women Forum Celebrating Cultural Diversity (1996)
  • “Indian Culture” – at Bring Your Daughters to Work Day, sponsored by Penn State’s LIASON Commission for Women, Altoona Div. (1999)
  • Continuous Quality Improvement and Just Do It Process CQI Expo, Penn State. (1998 -2000)