Sergei Kuchin

Sergei Kuchin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), affiliated with the College of Letters & Science. He holds a PhD from the Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms in Moscow, Russia, followed by postdoctoral research at Columbia University (1993-1998) and a subsequent role as Associate Research Scientist there (1998-2004).

His research focuses on regulatory mechanisms controlling growth and development in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast), particularly under nitrogen-limiting conditions. Key projects explore the role of the Snf1 protein kinase in signaling nitrogen starvation and its connection to fungal filamentation and human diseases via AMPK orthologs. This work bridges basic yeast genetics with biomedical implications in antifungal therapies and metabolic disorders.

His publications span molecular mechanisms of kinase regulation, yeast developmental biology, and innovative teaching methods for genetics education. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, biochemistry, and cellular biology to unravel conserved signaling pathways.

Current projects investigate the interplay between Snf1, mitochondrial function, and protein kinase networks, with potential applications in understanding diabetes, obesity, and cancer. His work highlights yeast as a model system for studying both fundamental biology and translational medicine.