Ravindra P. Misra

Ravindra P. Misra is a Professor with Tenure in the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he also serves as Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He maintains affiliations with the Cancer Center and the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work. Dr. Misra has held progressively responsible academic positions since joining MCW in 1993, advancing from Assistant Professor to his current senior administrative and faculty roles.

Dr. Misra's research program has focused primarily on the role of serum response factor (SRF) in cardiovascular development, particularly in coronary vasculogenesis. His work employs sophisticated mouse genetic models to investigate how transcription factors regulate embryonic development of the coronary vasculature. Additional research areas include calcium crystal-mediated cell activation pathways relevant to age-related diseases. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms by which SRF regulates endothelial cell function, cardiac morphogenesis, and vascular development through both gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches.

Analysis of Dr. Misra's publication record shows a consistent research trajectory spanning over 30 years, with early work focused on molecular mechanisms of SRF regulation and more recent work emphasizing coronary vascular development. His publications appear in high-impact journals including Developmental Biology, BMC Developmental Biology, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, with many papers receiving substantial citations (several with over 100 citations). His research demonstrates a progression from basic molecular mechanisms to increasingly complex developmental processes, reflecting both scientific maturation and the evolution of techniques in the field.

• National Research Service Award, Predoctoral Training, National Institutes of Health (1982-1985)
• Outstanding Medical Student Teacher Award, Medical College of Wisconsin (2008-2014)
• Alpha Omega Alpha, Medical College of Wisconsin Chapter (2013-Present)
• Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship, American Cancer Society (1991-1993)

Dr. Misra has successfully secured substantial research funding throughout his career, including multiple NIH R01 grants totaling over $2 million, American Heart Association awards, and institutional funding. His mentorship record includes guiding students like Timothy J. Nelson and Stephanie Cossette to independent research funding. As Dean of the Graduate School, he now oversees broader training programs while maintaining his research connections through affiliations with the Cancer Center and genomic sciences center. His extensive committee service across MCW demonstrates deep institutional involvement and leadership in academic medicine.