Surinder Batra, Ph.D., has been named senior associate dean for research and development for the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine.
Dr. Batra, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UNMC, fills the vacancy left by Steven Hinrichs, M.D., who was previously named chairman of the department of pathology and microbiology.
"Dr. Batra is one of our most talented scientists and he has a great understanding of translational research," College of Medicine Dean John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., said. "He is a phenomenal mentor and a major contributor to all aspects of the department of biochemistry and molecular biology.
“He also is one of our top-funded investigators and brings impressive experience to the position of senior associate dean for research and development. I am confident he will make substantial contributions to the research enterprise of the College of Medicine."
As senior associate dean, Dr. Batra plans to test new ideas for research programs and graduate training in basic and translational research. He also wants to:
· Foster collaboration between clinicians and basic researchers;
· Strengthen the M.D., Ph.D. program; and
· Provide opportunities for graduate students for doing translational research.
A native of Ambala Cantt, India, Dr. Batra brings an array of abilities and experiences to the role in regards to funding, teaching and graduate training. He has multiple research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD).
He has published 207 peer-reviewed papers and is involved in several NIH and DOD panels. He also is heavily involved in teaching medical, pharmacy and graduate students and in the development of graduate and summer students training programs at UNMC.
Dr. Batra joined UNMC in the fall of 1996. In his research, he identifies, develops and validates markers for the early diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. These markers also are studied for their roles in the progression and metastasis of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers.
In addition, he is exploring an innovative approach to overcome the current acquired resistance of breast cancer tumors to Herceptin-therapy, a common drug used to fight breast cancer.
In 2006, he was named one of UNMC’s Distinguished Scientists and also is among UNMC’s most accomplished inventors. In 2001, he received the Joseph Gilmore Outstanding Investigator Award. He also was nominated in 2004 and 2005 for the Alvin M. Earle Outstanding Health Science Award for Excellence in Teaching.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $82 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,600 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.