Sayeepriyadarshini Anakk

Dr. Sayeepriyadarshini 'Sayee' Anakk is a Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. She leads the Anakk Lab, investigating liver metabolism, bile acid signaling, and nuclear receptor pathways in health and disease. Her research focuses on metabolic regulation, liver carcinogenesis, and adipose tissue biology.

Education: BS in Pharmacy (Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences), MSc Biological Sciences (Birla Institute), PhD in Biochemistry (University of Texas), Postdoc at Baylor College of Medicine.

Research Interests: Explores how bile acids and nuclear receptors (FXR/SHP) regulate metabolic homeostasis, liver diseases (including hepatocellular carcinoma), and energy balance. Current projects investigate:

• Bile acid-mediated Hippo pathway activation in cancer
• FXR/SHP roles in adipogenesis and obesity
• Metabolic consequences of disrupted biliary homeostasis

Key Achievements:

• 2020: 'Teachers Ranked as Excellent'
• 2016: Outstanding Advisor Award (UIUC Medical Scholars Program)
• NIH-funded projects on liver metabolism and carcinogenesis

Labs/Teams: Directs the Anakk Lab, collaborating with the Cancer Center at Illinois and Beckman Institute on interdisciplinary metabolic research.