Rate My Professor Nilay Patel

Nilay Patel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Science at California State University, Fullerton, and serves as Director of the Bridges to Stem Cell Research (BSCR) program. He earned his PhD from The State University of New York, Stony Brook, and his BS from the University of Cincinnati. Patel's research specializes in drug discovery, cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, and gene expression. His laboratory investigates the anti-proliferative effects of the FDA-approved drug niclosamide on human cancer cell lines, exploring various mechanisms by which it reduces cell proliferation. In collaboration with Dr. de Lijser from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at CSUF, Patel has designed a small library of compounds and identified several that exhibit anti-proliferative effects by reducing β-catenin levels. Ongoing projects assess how niclosamide and these CSUF-designed compounds affect different signal transduction pathways and the gene expression of cell cycle-related proteins. Niclosamide and related drugs block cell proliferation by modulating signal transduction and gene expression. Patel's interests also include gene regulation of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and its role in Alzheimer's Disease.

Patel has contributed key publications to the field, including "Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibitor, SB-216763, promotes pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells" (PLoS ONE, 2012, Kirby LA et al.), "Caloric Restriction Slows Amyloid Accumulation in Transgenic Models of Alzheimer Disease" (Neurobiology of Aging, 2005, Patel NV et al.), "Macrosialin increases during normal brain aging are attenuated by caloric restriction" (Neuroscience Letters, 2005, Wong AM et al.), "Aging decreases glia-derived apolipoprotein-E and J secretion" (Neuroscience Letters, 2004, Patel NV et al.), and "The glucocorticoid paradox of caloric restriction in slowing brain aging" (Neurobiology of Aging, 2002, Patel NV and Finch CE). In 2015-2016, he received the Outstanding Contributions to Student Success award from the Department of Biological Science. As BSCR Director, Patel leads efforts to train students in stem cell research, enhancing opportunities in biology and related disciplines.