PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 

• American Association for Advancement of Science
• American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
• American Society of Microbiology 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 

• Adjunct Associate Professor, Departments of Zoology and Genetics (1992-2003)
  and Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (2003-present), Iowa State University, Ames, IA
• Member, Biotechnology Advisory Committee, Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, IA (1998-2006)

COLLEGE SERVICE
Member, Admissions Committee

HONORS & AWARDS

• State Merit Scholarship, Government of Maharashtra, India (1969-73)
• National Merit Scholarship, Government of India (1973-75)
• Junior Research Fellowship, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (1976-80)
• Post-doctoral Fellowship, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India (1980-82)
• Principal Investigator: Sealy Institutional Research Grant (1988-89)
• Principal Investigator: Leukemia Society Research Award (1991-92)
• Co-Principal Investigator: NSF Instrumentation Grant (1990-92)
• Co-Principal Investigator: NIH Program Project (1992)

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My learning experiences form the foundation of my teaching philosophy. Built upon this foundation is a multifaceted framework of skills and knowledge. This framework, like the Lego sets, is modular. The modular design provides sufficient structure to support teaching the fact-based life sciences curriculum. On the other hand, it’s inherent flexibility allows for creativity and expansion, much needed for serving today’s diverse, information savvy student body.
Pedagogically, teaching and learning are both very complex processes. Ideally, they would be mutually non-exclusive, i.e. occurring simultaneously. Using a chemical metaphor, both are active processes, requiring certain level of concentration (pun intended!), energy and time. These three parameters are to be contributed by both components, i.e. the teacher and the student body, involved in this interaction.

I strongly believe that a teacher, especially at the University level, has some additional roles to play. The teacher is primarily responsible for generating that enthusiasm for learning, that thirst for knowledge, that quest for wanting to achieve. How do I do this? In a limited sense, by working like a catalyst-an enzyme- by increasing the ‘activation energy’ of the learning process of a student! I try to achieve this by being passionate in imparting knowledge. With passion comes enthusiasm. Use of modern teaching aids (presentations, films) will only help build the enthusiasm for today’s University students. Additionally, interactions among students and faculty, group discussions and seminars, hands -on experimentation, and field trips are some other methods I use effectively to generate and keep the levels of enthusiasm high in my class. Moreover, I entrust students with the responsibility for their progress as much as I take the responsibility to help them achieve their goals in learning. I believe a teacher’s role extends beyond simply delivering complex technical information to students. In fact, a University teacher must be prepared to act as a mentor, a coach, a guide, and provide timely feedback to the students. I try to fulfill this role with dedication and patience.

I expect students to perform at a very high level and make sure they understand this expectation. I encourage their interactions amongst themselves and with the faculty. This training is essential for their overall development as productive citizens. I evaluate and assess students continuously and offer constructive criticism and suggestions. Their performance in the tests is one measure of what they have learnt. On the other hand, students’ performance may also be used to evaluate the method(s) used to disseminate information. A good teacher knows why a student is having a difficulty by the nature of the question the student poses. As a result of my teaching, I expect students to learn the basic facts in the context of concepts being taught, think independently, deduce logically and express confidently.

EXPERIENCE
Jan. 2008- present Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Jan. - Dec. 2007 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, LECOM School of Pharmacy, Erie, PA

Sept. 2005- 2006 Senior Scientist, Kemin Nutrisurance, Inc. Des Moines, IA

Aug. 1992--March 2005 Research Scientist, Gene Discovery & Modification
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, IA

Sept. 1991- July 1992 Associate Professor& Managing Director, Molecular
Biology Center, University of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, Texas

Aug. 1987- Aug. 1991 Assistant Professor of Human Genetics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

Aug.1985- July 1987 Research Assistant Professor, Biology Department,
University of South Carolina, Columbia

LATEST PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS 
My current and future research interests focus on understanding molecular mechanisms of regulation DNA damage repair. DNA repair pathways are extremely important for maintaining genetic stability. Defects or deficiencies in DNA repair are known to result in diseases such as cancer, premature aging and immunodeficiency. We are using classical analytical, biochemical and molecular tools as well as the modern methods of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics to address these fundamental questions. Understanding the regulatory molecules and mechanisms involved in DNA repair will lead to identification of new therapeutic targets, new drugs as well as improved regimens of existing therapeutic compounds for treating chronic diseases including disorders of aging. Open the hyperlink http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez for a partial list of my peer-reviewed publications. A partial list of my issued US patents can also be found.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Wife: Prachi P. Mahajan (a DMACC employee); two adult children Aditya (Son) and Girija (daughter); actively involved in community events related to education, international business, diversity and multicultural issues; an avid fan of cricket, soccer, college basketball and tennis. Enjoy classical music, theater and reading and meeting people.