Bela Peethambaran

Dr. Bela Peethambaran holds a position of Associate Professor at Department Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA. She earned her PhD degree Molecular Biology from Mississippi State University, USA, and Post Doctorate in Biochemistry from University of Minnesota, USA, and Villanova University, USA. Previously she was appointed as Visiting Clinical Assistant Professors of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteophathic Medicine. Dr. Peethambaran received honors includes Awarded the Lindback Award for Distinguished teaching, Finalist for the Lindback Teaching Award nominated by students, Finalist for the Educational Bright Idea Award for Innovating teaching, Commitment to Students award for support and dedication demonstrated to Advising program, and Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She is member of American Society of Pharmacognosy, American Society of Plant Biologist, and American Association of Cancer Research. Dr. Peethambaran’s research focus is on different compound produced in Plant that contributes to Ant-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral or Anti Cancer activity. The research efforts are to identify novel compounds that could be used as candidates for drug development. Dr. Peethambaran training was as a Plant Stress Biologist and her interest grew in identifying the Molecules that Plants produced to alleviate Stress. These Molecules usually have unique attribute of being Anti-microbial or Anti-cancerous. Dr. Peethambaran has 10 years of experience studying Plant Physiology both at Molecular and Cellular levels as well as 4 years of experience using In vitro models for testing compounds on Cancerous Cells. Dr. Peethambaran’s laboratory has published the novel findings such as Anti-cancer or Anti-microbial effects in ethnic Medicinal Plant (Dhillon et al., 2014; Tran et al., 2014, Shah et al., 2015). There are 11 manuscripts published on Plant Physiology addressing Stress Biology and 4 of which address the Medicinal Compounds produced in Plants due to Biotic or Abiotic Stress. Dr. Peethambaran’s laboratory is currently testing an Edible Plant Myrothamnusflabellifolius for its anticancer effects.

Research

Peethambaran's laboratory is using molecular biology, genetic, biomechanical and physiological tools to engineer plants as a resource for antioxidants and bioactive compounds such as phenolics and flavanols.

• Studying effects of plant polyphenols on cancer cells
• Investigating if plant secondary metabolites could be used as natural pesticides
• Studying plants that have anti-acne and ant-aging characteristics

Companies

• Associate Professor University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (2016)
• Assistant Professor University of Sciences in Philadelphia (2010)
• Post Doctoral Teaching fellow Villanova University (2008 — 2010)
• Post-Doctoral fellow University of Minnesota (2006 — 2008)

Education

• BS, St. Xavier’s College, Gujarat University, India
• PhD, Mississippi State University