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Pulak R. Manna, Ph.D., is a faculty at the Internal Medicine, whose research interests include, but are not limited to, Endocrine Physiology, Pathophysiology, Aging and Cancers. Specifically, he has long been involved in studying the molecular mechanisms associated with the regulation and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, a mitochondrial factor that mediates the rate-limiting and regulated step in steroid hormone biosynthesis. StAR is predominantly associated with the transport of the substrate for all steroid hormones, cholesterol, from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane and, by doing so, it plays a central role in bodily homeostasis. Dr. Manna’s publications strengthened the notion that the StAR protein plays an indispensable role in the regulation of steroid hormones required for life itself, in case of adrenal steroids, and for maintaining reproductive capacity, in case of gonadal steroids. Accordingly, he has made a substantial contribution to the literature connecting StAR biology and hormone regulation, which essentially documents his expertise and experience in a wide variety of cholesterol and/or steroid coupled physiological and pathophysiological processes.

During past few years, Dr. Manna successfully administered and expanded his research in a few interesting/novel areas, and has generated data and published his findings. Of note, whereas one project is linked with restoration of steroid biosynthesis in healthy aging, other deals with StAR’s impact in diagnosis and management of breast cancer, both of which are currently under preparation for extramural funding applications. The innovative nature of both of these projects is connected with areas of high relevance, and his broad expertise and aptitude have prepared him to pursue the studies effectively. In addition to his own projects, he has been involved in collaborations with a number laboratories and has generously provided his expertise for the successful completion of projects. All of these have credited him to publish over 79 articles in peer-reviewed high-tier national and international journals, in which he has also written three book chapters. Dr. Manna served as the guest editor and/or review editor in many instances, and he is currently an editorial/ad-hoc board member of several journals.