Kasturi Haldar

Kasturi Haldar is the Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland, C.S.C. Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, with a focus on the pathogenesis of neurological and infectious diseases. She previously held professorial positions at Northwestern University and Stanford University, and served as Director of the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases from 2009 to 2022.

Her research spans neurological disorders, infectious diseases, and translational therapeutics. Key areas include epigenetic regulation in neurodegeneration, chronic pain, and intellectual disability, as well as host-pathogen interactions in malaria and bacterial infections. She employs systems biology, computational modeling, and preclinical validation to develop brain-permeant therapies.

Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in drug resistance in malaria and therapeutic development for Niemann-Pick Type C disease, often involving HDAC inhibitors and nanocarriers. Work frequently integrates biochemical, cellular, and murine models with translational goals.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland, C.S.C. Professor
• Charles and Emma Morrison Professor of Pathology
• Director, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases

She has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific names are not listed. Her work has been supported by public-private partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to accelerate drug development for neglected diseases. She leads research teams focused on molecular mechanisms of disease and therapeutic innovation.

Her lab integrates interdisciplinary approaches, including epigenetics, microbiology, immunology, and systems pharmacology, to tackle rare and global health challenges. The team collaborates widely across institutions and industries to translate basic findings into clinical applications.