Professor, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Phone: 903.877.7780
Email: vijayakumar.boggaram@uttyler.edu
Department: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Vijayakumar Boggaram
Dr. Boggaram obtained his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Stockholm, Sweden.
He then pursued postdoctoral research studying gene regulation of steroid hydroxylase
cytochrome P450 enzymes and lung surfactant proteins at the Department of Biochemistry,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and was later promoted to
an instructor position. He became as assistant professor at the University of Texas
Health Science Center at Tyler and is now a tenured professor in the Department of
Cellular and Molecular Biology. Dr. Boggaram has investigated the regulation of lung
surfactant proteins, which are essential for lung health, and is presently involved
in research on lung inflammation and lung injury caused by organic dust exposure.
Inhalation of organic dust is associated with the development of lung diseases such
as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis,
and others. As lung diseases are a leading cause of death globally, a thorough understanding
of the molecular pathogenesis of lung diseases is necessary to develop novel treatments.
Dr. Boggaram’s research has received funding from the American Heart association (AHA),
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)/National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Dr. Boggaram has served as a grant reviewer for the American Heart Association (AHA),
the Veterans Administration, the British Lung Association, the Croatian Science Foundation,
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), NIOSH pilot
research projects, and UT Tyler Internal Grants. He is a reviewer for several peer-reviewed
academic journals. Several postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, interns and externs
have received training in his laboratory. He has been involved with the university
as a member/chair of various committees, such as the UT System Faculty Advisory Council,
IACUC, Research Integrity, Promotion and Tenure, Junior Faculty Mentoring, UT Tyler
Research Council, Student Admission Committee, and others.
Education and Training
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
- PhD, Biochemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, University of Stockholm, Sweden
- MSc, Biochemistry, University of Mysore, India
Research Interests
- Organic dust induced lung and brain inflammation – Identification and characterization of dust components responsible for the induction of inflammation. Elucidation of cell and molecular mechanisms controlling inflammatory responses and cell/tissue injury.
- Effects of organic dust induced brain inflammation on impairment of motor and behavioral functions.
Courses Taught and Educational Activities
- BIOT6311 (Biotechnology I Lab course) – Instructor of Record
- BIOT5221 (Proteins and Nucleic Acids)
- BIOT6331 (Thesis Research)
- BIOT6332 (Thesis writing)
- Chair/member on graduate thesis research committees
- Training of intern and extern students
Highlights
- Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), India, Invited Lecturer - 2017
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Invitational Travel Fellowship - 2006,2015
- Endocrine Society Travel Grant - 1988
- Robert A. Welch Foundation Fellowship for Postdoctoral Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX - 1981
- University of Stockholm Travel Grant to attend the 7th International Symposium on Flavins and Flavoproteins, Ann Arbor, MI - 1981
- Fellowship for Doctoral Research, University of Stockholm, Sweden - 1976
- Merit Scholarship, University of Mysore, India - 1976
Publications Highlights