Susmita Kaushik

Susmita Kaushik is a Professor in the Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her research focuses on chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), lysosomal function, and their roles in aging, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders.

• Key Research Themes: Aging, Autophagy, Proteostasis, Lipid Biology, Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Institutional Affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Developmental & Molecular Biology

Her work reveals how CMA regulates adipocyte differentiation, interacts with circadian rhythms, and protects against atherosclerosis. Recent publications highlight CMA activation through calorie restriction and its role in proteotoxic stress response.

Collaborations with Ana Maria Cuervo and others have advanced understanding of autophagy's dual roles in disease. She contributes to autophagy assay guidelines and explores therapeutic interventions for autophagy dysfunction in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.