Rupinder Kaur

Dr. Rupinder Kaur is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, where she investigates host-microbe symbioses with a focus on Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility. Her research integrates molecular biology, genetics, and entomology to decipher mechanisms of reproductive manipulation in insects. Prior to Penn State, she held positions at Vanderbilt University (Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Researcher) and Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (Postdoc).

Her educational background includes a PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Vienna (2013-2017), an MSc in Biotechnology from Lovely Professional University (2008-2010), and a BSc in Biotechnology from Punjabi University (2005-2008). Research specializations span:

• Molecular mechanisms of cytoplasmic incompatibility
• Wolbachia-virus-host tripartite interactions
• Prophage protein functions in sperm development
• Evolutionary dynamics of insect-microbe symbioses

Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on symbiont-mediated reproductive manipulation, with recent breakthroughs in characterizing Wolbachia cif proteins' roles in sperm DNA modification. Award highlights include:

• Travel Grant from International Symbiosis Society (2015)
• Wellcome Trust Genome Campus Bursary (2014)
• Visiting Studentship from Fondazione Edmund Mach (2014)

At Penn State's Bordenstein Lab, she contributes to collaborative projects on phage WO dynamics and microbiome-driven speciation while mentoring students in molecular symbiosis research.