Ratna Chakrabarti
Associate Professor, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine
2015 Womens History Month What is your current job title and responsibilities?
Associate Professor, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine
My responsibilities include conducting independent and extramurally funded research and training postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students; classroom and laboratory teaching of graduate and undergraduate students; serving in the departmental, college and university committees; serving in committees outside UCF, such as participating in several national and international grant and manuscript review panels; serving as an editorial board member of some journals, developing intra- and inter-institutional collaborative research and community service through providing research opportunities to high school students.
What is your history at UCF and before UCF?
I joined UCF as an Assistant Professor and developed my research program.
Before joining UCF, I was a Research Associate Professor at the Department of Pediatrics and the Director for the Message Display Core facility at the Cancer Center at the University of Florida. My responsibilities were conducting research and training postdocs, and medical students; oversee the core activities and train core technicians.
What is your academic background?
I am a Ph.D. with a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and expertise in Cancer Biology/Research.
What is your favorite UCF memory?
The time when Biomedical Science program at UCF flourished with new faculty hires, which resulted in the approval of the College of Medicine.
If you could change one thing at UCF, what would it be? ($ and time no object)
I would strengthen the Biomedical Science research and graduate/undergraduate training program by hiring nationally acclaimed basic science and clinical researchers/faculty and improving infrastructure by developing state-of-the-art core facilities.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues?
Develop collaboration and network for national and international visibility.
If UCF was going to name something in your honor, what would you like it to be and why?
The Refection Pond in front of the Millican Hall. Because students are an integral part of my academic life and the Refection Pond is always surrounded by students.
If you could have lunch with anyone at UCF (who you do not normally eat lunch with), who would you choose and why?
I would like to have lunch with our Provost, because I haven’t yet had a chance to meet him personally.
Who at UCF would you like to thank for your success?
I am thankful to the Burnett School of Biomedical Science for providing the facility for my research.
Name and describe a teacher or researcher from your past who truly inspired you and why.
Dr. Sheldon Schuster, my postdoc supervisor, who has an extraordinary ability to converse with people at their levels and making people feel better, inspired and energized.
What undergraduate or graduate class/program/experience inspired you the most and why?
Teaching senior level undergraduate students molecular biology as they are ready for their next phase of academic carrier and are well prepared with background knowledge to appreciate the intricacies of molecular biology.
What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Eclectic and fusion French cuisine; Le Bernardin Restaurant in New York
What is your favorite movie, book or music?
Dessert Rose performed by Sting, Cheb Mami, the Police
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Rome
