Auinash Kalsotra, PhD
Professor of Biochemistry
Investigator, Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago
William C. Rose Professorial Scholar
Assistant Director, Junior Faculty Mentoring and Advising
Member, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
Member, Cancer Center @ Illinois
Member, Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS)
Beckman Fellow, Center for Advanced Study
Associate Editor, WIREs RNA (Wiley)
407 Medical Sciences Building, 506 South Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 300-7654
Fax: (217) 244-5858
About
Auinash (aka Nash) received his undergraduate degree in pharmacy from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India. He got his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology working with Dr. Henry W. Strobel at the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he studied the role of cytochromes P450 in progression and resolution of inflammation. During his postdoctoral work with Dr. Thomas A. Cooper at Baylor College of Medicine, he identified a conserved program of alternative splicing that propels vertebrate heart development. In 2012, Nash started his own research group, and he is currently a tenured full professor of Biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Research Interests
My research interests are to uncover the biological function(s) of RNA in tissue development, regeneration, and disease. I am particularly interested in understanding (i) how different RNA processing mechanisms integrate with transcriptional, translational, and metabolic programs to ensure normal tissue growth and function, (ii) why misregulation of these mechanisms results in disease, and (iii) whether they can be leveraged to prevent or reverse particular human disorders.
Awards and Fellowships
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago Investigator Award, 2024
- Research Award, Muscular Dystrophy Association, 2023
- William C. Rose Professorship in Biochemistry, 2021
- Distinguished Promotion Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2019
- Research Award, Muscular Dystrophy Association, 2017
- Beckman Fellowship, Center for Advanced Study, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016
- Basil O’Connor Research Scholarship, March of Dimes, 2014
- Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust Young Investigator Award, 2013
- Scientist Development Grant, American Heart Association, 2011
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, 2009
- President’s Research Award, UT-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005
- Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, University of Texas, Houston, TX, 2004
- Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Harry and Isabel Cameron Foundation, 2003
Outside the lab
In his free time, Nash likes to travel, play harmonium and ride his harley street glide. His hobbies include hiking, gardening and motorcycling.
