Karolina M. Mukhtar

Karolina M. Mukhtar is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She holds a B.S./MSc from the University of Szczecin, Poland, a Ph.D. from the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, and postdoctoral training at Duke University. Her research focuses on plant molecular biology, particularly the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress response and plant immunity against pathogens. She has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding plant defense mechanisms, including the discovery of a growth-to-defense molecular switch, published in high-impact journals like Science and Current Biology.

Dr. Mukhtar is a recipient of the prestigious PECASE award (2019), the highest U.S. honor for early-career scientists, recognizing her work on plant immunity and community outreach, including the citizen-science OUTPACE program. She is also celebrated for her teaching excellence, with multiple awards for mentorship and innovative strategies to support students with learning disabilities.

Her leadership roles include Department Chair of UAB Biology (2023-2024), roles in the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Senate, and initiatives like the NSF-funded PlantGIFT project for K-12 teacher training in plant genomics. She transitioned to Clemson University in 2024 while maintaining her adjunct status at UAB.