The Protein S Lab
What is Protein S?
Protein S (PS) is a natural anticoagulant. It regulates coagulation and acts as a cofactor for the activated protein C (APC) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) pathways.
Our lab have identified a new role of PS that it directly binds to activated Factor IX (FIXa) and inhibits its activity.
Meet the team
Rinku Majumder, PhD
Principal Investigator
Professor of Interdisciplinary Oncology,
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Adjunct Professor of Genetics
Dr. Majumder investigated numerous questions regarding the regulation of blood clotting and diseases arising from deficiencies of various clotting factors and in regulation of their activities. Notably, she was a key contributor to the work that overturned the prevailing paradigm regarding the role of platelet membranes in regulating thrombin generation. Currently, Dr. Majumder's research focuses on the development of new and more effective therapeutics for thrombotic diseases and hemophilia.
504.568.2810
Mohammad Mohammad, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Mohammad is a Saudi Arabian who’s currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology at LSUHSC. He completed his BSc, MSc, and PhD from the UK. His research interests lie primarily in the area of blood coagulation and cancer.
Moe is a Disney geek who also enjoys food, amusement parks, movies, shopping, spending time with friends and, of course, science!
504.568.7762
Narendar Kumar, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Narender Kumar is from India and currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in the department of Interdisciplinary Oncology at LSUHSC. He completed his PhD from IMTECH Chandigarh, India in the field of protein Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research interest is mainly in blood coagulation biology.
In his free time, he enjoys walking and running at the park.
504.568.7762
Sonali Ghosh, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Sonali Ghosh is from Kolkata, India. She did her PhD in Cancer Biology from University of Calcutta. Currently, she is working as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology on a project which evaluates fundamental connection between thrombosis with anti-contraceptive agents and obesity in pre-menopausal women. She particularly concentrates on murine in-vivo modelling to know the effect of obesity and estrogen (OCA) on anticoagulant protein S.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, singing, dancing, listening to music, photography, and spending time with friends and family.
504.568.2861
Rafika Yasmin, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Rafika Yasmin is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology at LSUHSC. She is from the beautiful land of Assam, India. She got her PhD from Tezpur University, India where she worked on anti-platelet proteins from Daboia russelii venom. Her area of interest lies primarily in proteins that modulate the blood coagulation cascade.
Rafika is an avid reader. She also enjoys painting, watching movies and taking long walks.
504.568.2861
Teagan Prouse
Medical Student
Teagan Prouse is a second-year medical student at LSUHSC School of Medicine. She received her BS in Biochemistry from University of Northern Iowa. Her research interests include pancreatic cancer and blood coagulation.
In her free time, Teagan enjoys cooking and enjoying time with her friends and family.
319.505.0668
Ashley Paysse, MS
Medical Student
Ashley is a second-year medical student at LSUHSC School of Medicine. She received her MS in Pharmacology from Tulane University and her BS in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University. Her research interests include contraceptives, blood coagulation, and orthopedic surgery.
In her free time, Ashley loves to kayak and spend time outdoors!
504.655.1988
Lorena Duhaylungsod, MSc
Laboratory Manager
Lorena is a transplant from California. She received her MS in Chemistry with concentration in Biochemistry from California State University East Bay and her BS in Biochemistry from San Francisco State University. Her research interests include blood coagulation, cancer studies, and upcycling of waste such as water and plastic.
In her free time, Lorena loves to play clarinet, karaoke, and spend quality time with family and friends.
504.568.7762
Undergoing projects
List of publications
Funding $$$
National Institutes of Health 1R01HL151613-01A1, 01/15/2021- 01/14/2025, “A Mechanistic Study to elucidate the role of Protein S in elevating the risk of Thrombosis in Obese, Pre-menopausal women”, Rinku Majumder, PI.
National Institutes of Health 1R01HL163018-01, 04/01/2022-03/31/2026
Protein S Regulates Blood Coagulation by Inhibiting Factor IXa, Rinku Majumder, PI.
LSU Cancer Center Start Up, August 2022-July 2025, Rinku Majumder, PI.
Do you want to participate?
Women between the ages of 18 and 45 (not postmenopausal) can participate in the study of the regulation of PS gene expression by hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and estrogen receptor (ERα)
Contact us
Location: LSUHSC 533 Bolivar St., New Orleans, LA 70112 Bldg. CSRB Rm 549
Professor Majumder: Phone number (504)-568-2810, Email rmajum@lsuhsc.edu