Dr. Sharmistha ‘Sharmi’ Mitra
Principal Investigator
I was born in Kolkata, India and grew up there till I found a reason to hop on a flight to United States at the age of 22. I was provided a scholarship by U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to complete last two years of undergraduate study from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and obtain a dual degree of B.S. from USA and India (University of Calcutta, India). I did not look back afterwards! After completion of B.S. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from UNH, I moved to Virginia and completed my graduate studies to receive a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with a focus on the role of ubiquitin binding proteins (UBDs) in immune signaling pathways from Virginia Tech. Continuing my work in the field of ubiquitin biology, I completed my postdoctoral work with Dr. Berge Minassian at UT Southwestern where I worked on identifying the role of malin E3 ligase in Lafora Disease pathogenesis. To this end, I have characterized multiple glycogen metabolism related E3 ubiquitin ligases using novel mouse models and identified key mechanisms for their glycogen association. I have published these completed projects in peer-reviewed journals such as Acta Neuropathologica, Brain, Neurotherapeutics, Disease models and mechanisms and written multiple reviews. Additionally, due to my research accomplishments in the field, I have also obtained multiple internals (within UT Southwestern) and extramural fundings (including an R01 from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) to continue to work in the field of E3-ubiquitin ligases and their interaction with brain-glycogen. Overall, with my newly established lab at UT Southwestern, I see myself as a unique investigator in the field intersecting E3 ubiquitin ligase and glycogen-biology, who is combining a multipronged interdisciplinary approach including in-vitro purified protein biochemistry to in-vivo mouse model-based research to decipher the role of E3-ubiuqitin ligases and their interacting proteins in glycogen solubility and associated fatal neurological and neuromuscular disorders.
Apart from science, I love spending time with my family and close friends – be it indoor or outdoor! In the weekend (or holidays), I always try to spend sometimes with my long-lost hobbies which include painting, singing and occasionally cooking!
Dr. Surbhi Gahlot
Research Scientist
Surbhi Gahlot, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She obtained her PhD in neurobiology at the University of Delhi, India, and completed her postdoctoral research programs in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan, and Department of Neuroscience at The Ohio State University. She joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in July 2022, focusing her research on how the central nervous system regulates energy balance and glucose homeostasis. Her current research interests include understanding the protein-protein interactions in glycogen metabolism and neuromuscular diseases. Her investigations have resulted in numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, and she has won several awards. She is the recipient of Pilot & Feasibility grant from NORC. Outside of research, she loves hanging out with her family, going outdoors, and trying delicious food.
James Osborne
Research Assistant II
James started his career in research while working as a research assistant during his undergraduate at Kansas State University, working on projects with in vitro research of prostate cancer while completing his degree in Food Science. After graduating, he continued his research at Texas Tech University, receiving his M.S. in Environmental Toxicology with a thesis involving spheroid and organoid culture of prostate cells. In Mitra Lab, James is involved in projects to study the role of E3 ligases in the pathogenesis of certain glycogen metabolism related neurological conditions. He uses techniques, such as RNA-seq, cell culture, mouse tissue protein analysis and gene therapy to answer the questions related to his project. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.