Meet Distinguished Scientist Kusum Kharbanda, Ph.D.

This profile is part of a series to highlight the 16 researchers and one community member who will be honored at an April 21 ceremony. The recipients include the 2013 Scientist Laureate, six New Investigators, eight Distinguished Scientists, two Research Leadership awardees, and a Community Service to Research honoree.

• Name: Kusum K. Kharbanda, Ph.D.
• Title: Associate professor of medicine and biochemistry & molecular biology
• Joined UNMC: 1992
• Hometown: New Delhi, India

Describe your research briefly in layman’s terms.

Alcoholic liver disease is one of the most serious medical consequences of chronic alcohol abuse. My research focus is to understand what happens at a cellular and molecular level in the liver after chronic alcohol consumption. We are also investigating the use of a compound “betaine” and its analogs to prevent and treat liver injury of various etiologies including alcoholic liver disease.

How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?

A clear understanding of how alcoholic liver disease develops will hopefully translate to exploring other potential protective/therapeutic interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality from this disease.

What is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you, professional or personal?

My parents taught me to see the positive in every aspect of my life.

List three things few people know about you.

• I visit my sister in Lincoln most weekends to be with her and her family.
• I enjoy roller coaster rides.
• I like to collect recipes but hardly ever cook at home.