Manju Bhat

Manju Bhat is the Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education (CASBE) at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). He holds the titles of Hanes Distinguished Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of Physiology in the Department of Biological Sciences. Previously, he served as Chair and Co-Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. Bhat earned his Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from Case Western Reserve University (1997), with prior degrees including a BVSc (Veterinary Medicine) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (1986), and an MSc in Pharmacology from the University of Alberta (1993).

His research focuses on calcium signaling mechanisms in sensory neurons, anesthetic-mediated regulation of pain pathways, and the application of data analytics to improve student retention. He teaches undergraduate courses in Anatomy & Physiology and has led initiatives in STEM education and student success, including roles in grant-writing workshops and curriculum development. Bhat has received teaching awards from WSSU (2010-2011) and the UNC Board of Governors (2015-2016).

Key research contributions include studies on ryanodine receptors, TRPV1 channels, and propofol-induced pain mechanisms. His work has been supported by grants from the Department of Defense, American Heart Association, and NIH. Bhat has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students, with over 30 co-authored publications in journals like the Journal of Biological Chemistry and American Journal of Physiology. His lab is affiliated with the Piedmont Triad Community Research Center.

Professional service includes roles on IACUC, faculty search committees, and advisory boards for programs like Occupational Therapy and the Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI). He has presented at national and international conferences, including the Gordon Research Conference on Excitation-Contraction Coupling and the Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society.