Introduction

Swapan Kumar Das; MSc, PhD

Associate professor,

Section on Endocrinology and Metabolism,

Department of Internal Medicine,

Wake Forest School of Medicine,

WFBH, NRC Building; E159 & 206

Winston-Salem, NC 27157-104

Telephone (office): 336-713-6057

Telephone (Lab): 336-713-6528/29

Fax: 336-713-7255

Email: sdas@wakehealth.edu

Personal Summary:

I am a human molecular geneticist and have experience in monogenic as well as complex genetic disease research. My research is focused on identifying genetically- and epigenetically-regulated cellular and molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Determining molecular mechanisms underlying ethnic disparities in these common metabolic diseases, is a key area of my research projects funded by National Institutes of Health and American Diabetes association. As a Principal Investigator of a multidisciplinary research team, I lead studies in human participants and cell culture models, and implemented integrative genomic and systems biology approaches to define genetic and epigenetic regulators of insulin sensitivity in African Americans and European ancestry individuals. Knowledge gained through my research projects will help in the future development of novel precision medicine approaches to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.

Education:

  • B.Sc. (1991) Calcutta University, India

  • M.Sc. (1993, awarded 1994) Kalyani University, India

  • Ph.D. (1999, awarded 2000) Calcutta University, India (Mentor: Dr Geeta Talukder, MD, PhD). PhD Thesis : Study of Beta-globin Variants

  • Postdoctoral Training:

    • 2001: Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

    • 2001- 2004: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little rock, Arkansas (Mentor: Dr Steven C Elbein, MD)

Academic Appointments:

  • 2022 July-Present: Associate professor (Tenured), Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • 2019-2022 June: Associate professor (Tenure track), Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • 2018 - Present: Faculty ; Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Bioscience Track; Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Wake forest University; Winston Salem, North Carolina

  • 2009-2019: Assistant professor, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • 2005 - 2009: Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

  • 2004 - 2005: Staff Scientist [Scientist C, Gr. IV(2)] Council For Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR), Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi, India

  • 2000: Lecturer (Assistant Professor), Department of Zoology, Malda College (a college under North Bengal University), Malda, West Bengal, India

Awards:

    • 2012 The Research Excellence Award (REA) FY2012, Wake forest School of Medicine. REA Awarded for high level performance and outstanding achievements in investigation.

    • 2013 The Research Excellence Award (REA) FY2013, Wake forest School of Medicine. REA Awarded for high level performance and outstanding achievements in investigation.

    • 2015 American Diabetes Association's 75th Scientific Sessions Young Investigator Travel Grant Award for top scoring abstract. The association funds this program to support young scientists presenting their research at the Scientific Sessions, and to encourage new and emerging investigators in the field of diabetes research and care.

    • 2020 Author of the Top Papers published by Department members in 2019, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine. Corresponding author of the published journal article: Diabetes 2019 Jul; 68 (7): 1508-1522

    • 2021 Author of the Top research papers published by Department members in 2020, Wake Forest School of Medicine -Department of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine faculty in Winston-Salem and Charlotte). Corresponding author of the published journal article: Diabetes 2020 Dec; 69(12):2779-2793.

    • 2022 Author of the Top research papers published by Department members in 2021, Wake Forest School of Medicine -Department of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine faculty in Winston-Salem and Charlotte). First author of the published journal article: Molecular Metabolism. 2021 Sep 23:101342.