Indu S. AMBUDKAR

(Bethesda, MD, USA)

Dr. Indu Ambudkar received her M.Sc. degree from Lucknow University and Ph.D. degree from Madurai Kamaraj University in India. She joined University of Maryland, School of Medicine, as a post-doctoral researcher in 1980 and then moved to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in 1985, where she is now Chief of the Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch and the Secretory Physiology Section. Research in her laboratory is focused on the molecular mechanisms mediating and regulating Ca2+ entry in salivary gland cells, with special focus on TRP and Orai channels and the ER-proteins STIM1 and STIM2 which play key roles in regulation of Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ signaling. Her research also seeks to identify Ca2+ signaling mechanisms and components that contribute to disease and dysfunction. Her studies have identified critical Ca2+ signaling defects that underlie loss of salivary gland fluid secretion caused by radiation treatment and the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s Syndrome. Recent studies examine a role of TRPM2 in radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction. She is internationally recognized for her contributions in this area and has received the Distinguished Researcher Award from the International Association of Dental Research as well as the NIH Director’s award of Excellence. She has published more than 150 papers as well as reviews. She is on Editorial Boards of several journals, chaired many national/ international conferences.