Piyali Dasgupta

Piyali Dasgupta, PhD, is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology. Originally from India, she completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. During her fellowship, she worked with Dr. Srikumar P. Chellappan, a leader in the field of cell cycle research. She has more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, most as first author, in journals including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, the Journal of Clinical Investigation, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry. She regularly serves as a reviewer for top-tier journals such as International Journal of Cancer, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, and Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.
Dr. Dasgupta’s research examines how nicotine, although not a carcinogen, can promote the growth and progression of lung cancers. Her studies indicate it can induce proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis of lung cancers. Additionally, it can protect lung cancer cells against chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis. These actions of nicotine are mediated by high affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on lung cancer cells. Her lab tries to decipher the signaling pathways involved in this process. On a more basic level, she tries to analyze the physiological function of these neuronal receptors in the lung.
She was one of three researchers nationally to receive the 2009 ASPET-Astellas Award, which recognizes key translational research, from the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Her work at Marshall has been funded by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of America and by the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, the Astellas Foundation, and the American Retina Foundation.
Dr. Dasgupta was named "Mentor of the Year" for her efforts working with graduate students at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Dr. Dasgupta teaches Lung Physiology to medical students, as well as Biochemistry and Cell Biology to graduate students in the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.