Arne Gericke

Arne Gericke is the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (ad interim) and Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He holds the rank of Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. His research focuses on the biophysical characterization of lipid-mediated protein functions, particularly phosphoinositide signaling pathways and their roles in cellular processes such as cell polarity, migration, and disease mechanisms. He leads the Gericke Group Lab, utilizing advanced spectroscopic and microscopy techniques to study membrane biophysics.

Education: Diplom Chemist (University of Hamburg, 1988), Dr. rer. nat. (University of Hamburg, 1994), Postdoctoral Research Associate at Rutgers University (1994-1997), and Habilitation Candidate at the Max Planck Group for Liquid Crystals, University of Halle.

Research Interests: Lipid/protein interactions, signal transduction at biological membranes, bone tissue research, and vibrational spectroscopic imaging. His work emphasizes phosphoinositide-mediated signaling, with applications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. He has secured funding for educational initiatives, including undergraduate research programs and scholarships.

Professional Highlights: Editorial Board Member of *Chemistry & Physics of Lipids* (2012-present) and *Biomolecules* (2017-present). Advises over 30 student projects, including those on asymmetric vesicle fabrication and phosphoinositide domain characterization. His research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3: Health & Well-Being, SDG4: Quality Education).

Labs/Teams: Gericke Group Lab, focusing on membrane biochemistry and interdisciplinary student mentorship. Current projects explore phosphoinositide dynamics, lipid membrane engineering, and biomineralization.