Directory Profiles
Sam Mukherjee, PhD
Assistant Professor
Biology, Department of
Jordan Hall 309
Biology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Neuro-oncology, Oncology
Education and Certifications
PhD in Biology, Howard University, Washington DC
Agile Project Management Certification, University of Maryland
Biography
Dr. Sam Mukherjee, PhD, a seasoned brain cancer biologist and biotechnology leader
with over a decade of expertise in translational oncology, drug discovery, and genetically
engineered models, joins Columbus State University as an Assistant Professor of Biology.
He previously served as a Research Assistant Professor and Project Leader at Northwestern
University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where he led a multidisciplinary preclinical
drug development program focused on brain cancer. His work has contributed to the
discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies targeting glioma stem cells,
and has been featured in high-impact journals and on scientific magazine covers.
Dr. Mukherjee has secured multi-million-dollar NIH fundings as a co-investigator and
has mentored graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical trainees. During
his time at Biocytogen Boston, he served as a Senior Scientist and Project Manager,
leading over 50 projects involving CRISPR-based model development and generating nearly
$2 million in business. With a strong background in both academia and industry, Dr.
Mukherjee is passionate about undergraduate and graduate education, bringing real-world
biomedical research into the classroom to support student success in the life sciences.
Academic Areas
Neuro-Oncology – Molecular mechanisms of brain cancer, with a focus on glioblastoma biology and
therapeutic targeting.
Glioblastoma Stem Cell Research – Identification and characterization of cancer stem cell populations, mechanisms
of therapy resistance, and strategies for selective eradication.
Molecular and Cellular Biology – Regulation of transcriptional networks (e.g., CREB1, Notch signaling) in neural
and cancer stem cells.
Cell Cycle and Kinase Signaling – Functional role of CDK5 and related kinases in cancer progression and stem cell
maintenance.
Tumor Suppressor Biology – Mechanistic studies on TRIM3/Brat and other tumor suppressors in brain tumorigenesis.
Translational Therapeutics – Development of rational, targeted strategies for glioblastoma therapy that spare
normal neural cells.
Advanced Imaging and Experimental Models – Use of in vitro neural cultures, in vivo models, and molecular imaging to study
tumor dynamics.
Research Interests
My research centers on the relentless challenge of brain cancer, with a particular
focus on glioblastoma—the most aggressive and deadly form. I investigate the unique
biology of glioblastoma stem cells, the elusive subpopulation of tumor cells that
drive recurrence, resist treatment, and fuel disease progression. My work explores
how transcriptional regulation and kinase signaling, especially CDK5 activity, shape
the survival and adaptability of these cells, and how they can be selectively targeted
without harming normal brain tissue. By combining molecular insights with innovative
therapeutic strategies, my goal is to outsmart these cancer stem cells and open new
avenues for effective, lasting treatments. I am also deeply engaged in connecting
the molecular world to the classroom, using real-world examples from cancer biology
and neurobiology to inspire the next generation of scientists.
1. Mukherjee, S., Tucker-Burden, C., Kaissi, E., Newsam, A., Duggireddy, H., Chau,
M., Zhang, C., Diwedi, B., Rupji, M., Seby, S., Kowalski, J., Kong, J., Read, R.,
& Brat, D. J. (2018). CDK5 Inhibition Resolves PKA/cAMP-Independent Activation of
CREB1 Signaling in Glioma Stem Cells. Cell Reports, 23(6), 1599–1606.
2. Mukherjee, S., Tucker-Burden, C., Zhang, C., Moberg, K., Read, R., Hadjipanayis,
C., & Brat, D. J. (2016). Drosophila Brat and Human Ortholog TRIM3 Maintain Stem Cell
Equilibrium and Suppress Brain Tumorigenesis by Attenuating Notch Nuclear Transport.
Cancer Research, 76(8), 2443–2452.
