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Marla J. Berry
Professor and Director, PBRC

Contact Info
mberry@hawaii.edu
808-956-8838
1993 East West Rd, Rm 215, Honolulu HI 96822

Education

  • 1986 – PhD – Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Dept. of Biol Sciences, UC Santa Barbara, CA
  • 1980 – BA – Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Dept. of Biol Sciences, UC Santa Barbara, CA

Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

My scientific background includes four decades of experience in biomedical research, utilizing in vitro methods, cell culture, animal models, and human tissues, three decades studying the functions of selenium and selenoenzymes in health and disease, and two decades in leadership roles, while maintaining continuous NIH R01 funding since first awarded. We are investigating the connections between selenium levels and distribution, and alterations in energy metabolism leading to metabolic syndrome. We use molecular, cellular, tissue, and animal models, metabolic, neurological, multi-omics and bioinformatics approaches, and are collaborating on community-based participatory research. I have been continuously funded by the NIH as PI on research grants since 1993, serving as PI on two R01s from 1997 to 2000, and on three from 2000 to 2007.

My leadership, mentoring and administrative experience includes: Department Chair, Cell & Molecular Biology, UHM (15 yrs, 2004-19); Co-chair/Chair, Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Program (16 yrs, 2004-20); PI of Research Centers at Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program at UHM (6 yrs, 2011-17, >$13 million total costs); and Director of RCMI Investigator Development Core at UHM (2017-present), I have served on numerous NIH study sections since 1993, reviewing a wide variety of funding mechanisms. I have mentored over 20 junior faculty (8 awarded R01s, 7 tenured), 21 postdoctoral fellows, 41 graduate students and 33 undergraduates, served on 45 dissertation or thesis committees, and chaired 13 PhD dissertation committees.

Department and Laboratory Webpages

Selenium Lab Website

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