that UBAP2 functions as a molecular switch that regulates macro-pinocytosis and tumor growth in pancreatic cancer. Some of Mukherjee’s research focuses on reprogramming tumor microenvironments. In this area, he has worked on disrupting CC-CAF crosstalk and abrogating the key cellular components participating in desmoplasia. Bidirectional crosstalk between cancer cells and cancer associated fibroblasts is considered to be the key molecular event that drives desmoplasia, particularly in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Awards and honors 2001 - Best paper award in materials science, National Chemical Laboratory 2002 - Best paper award in materials science, National Chemical Laboratory 2018 - Outstanding Achievement Award, Society of Asian American Scientists in Cancer Research 2018 - Fred G. Silva Award, Department of Pathology at the University of Oklahoma 2018 - Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry 2019 - Elected Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering 2020 - Elected Fellow, National Academy of Inventors Selected publications Mandal, D., Bolander, M. E., Mukhopadhyay, D., Sarkar, G., Mukherjee, P. (2006). The use of microorganisms for the formation of metal nanoparticles and their application. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 69(5), 485–492. Mukherjee, P., Ahmad, A., Mandal, D., Senapati, S., Sainkar, S. R., Khan, M. I., Parishcha, R., Ajaykumar, P. V., Alam, M., Kumar, R., Sastry, M. (2001). Fungus-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Immobilization in the Mycelial Matrix: A Novel Biological Approach to Nanoparticle Synthesis. Nano Letters, 1(10), 515–519. Mukherjee, P., Ahmad, A., Mandal, D., Senapati, S., Sainkar, S. R., Khan, M. I., Parishcha, R., Ajaykumar, P. V., Alam, M., Kumar, R., Sastry, M. (2001). Fungus-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Immobilization in the Mycelial Matrix: A Novel Biological Approach to Nanoparticle Synthesis. Nano Letters, 1(10), 515–519. Bhattacharya, R., Mukherjee, P. (2008). Biological properties of "naked" metal nanoparticles (11th ed., vol. 60, pp. 1289–1306). Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. Mukherjee, P., Senapati, S., Mandal, D., Ahmad, A., Khan, M. I., Kumar, R., Sastry, M. (2002). Extracellular synthesis of gold nanoparticles by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum. ChemBioChem, 3(5), 461–463. Arvizo, R. R., Bhattacharyya, S.*, Kudgus, R. A.*, Giri, K.*, Bhattacharya, R., Mukherjee, P.# (2012). Intrinsic therapeutic applications of noble metal nanoparticles: Past, present and future (7th ed., vol. 41, pp. 2943–2970). Chemical Society Reviews. Ahmad, A., Mukherjee, P., Mandal, D., Senapati, S., Khan, M. I., Kumar, R., Sastry, M. (2002). Enzyme mediated extracellular synthesis of CdS nanoparticles by the fungus, Fusarium oxysporum. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 124(41), 12108–12109.