Gabriela K. Popescu PhD

Gabriela Popescu

Gabriela K. Popescu
PhD

Professor

Department of Biochemistry

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Ion channel kinetics and structure; Molecular Basis of Disease; Neurobiology; Neurodegenerative disorders; Neuropharmacology; Protein Function and Structure; Signal Transduction

Contact Information
955 Main Street
Buffalo NY 14203
Office 4226; Lab 4250
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 829-3807
Fax: (716) 829-2661
popescu@buffalo.edu
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Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

Dr. Popescu is a leading expert in molecular neuroscience. She studies the activation and modulation of NMDA receptors. NMDA receptors are the most abundant glutamate-stimulated, calcium-conducting channels in brain and spinal cord. They have essential roles in memory formation and learning. Importantly, their dysfunction results in severe neuropsychiatric disorders, including stroke, neurodegenerative conditions, chronic pain and addiction as well as mental disorders such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. Results from Dr. Popescu's research inform about mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity in the central nervous system and help to guide strategies that maintain and restore neuropsychiatric health and wellbeing across the life span.
Dr. Popescu investigates relationship between structural and functional aspects of NMDA receptors with a range of biophysical and biochemical approaches. Among these are highly specialized biophysical techniques such as patch-clamp electrophysiology, patch-clamp fluorometry, kinetic modeling of single-molecule behaviors, and molecular dynamic simulations. Funds from the NIH have continuously funded Dr. Popescu's research projects and have supported several graduate and postdoctoral students while training under her mentorship. Dr. Popescu has been recognized for her clear and sustained impact on improving equity and inclusivity the fields of physiology and biophysics.

Education and Training:
  • Sabbatical, Structural Biology, Columbia (New York) and Harvard (Boston) (2017)
  • Internship, Fast Application Techniques, Yale University (2005)
  • Fellowship, NIDA F32 Ion Channel Biophysics, University at Buffalo, SUNY (2004)
  • PhD, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, SUNY (1999)
  • MS, Biochemistry, University of Bucharest (1985)

Employment:
  • Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, SUNY (2016-present)
  • Associate Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, SUNY (2011–2015)
  • Assistant Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, SUNY (2006–2010)

Awards and Honors:
  • Sharona Gordon Award for Transformational Leadership (2022)
  • UB Exceptional Scholar, Sustained Achievement (2021)
  • Chair, AAMC Council of Faculty (2019)
  • Member, AAMC Board of Directors (2017)
  • AHA, Established Investigator Award (2012)
  • Public Lecture - Glutamate Receptors: the workhorses of your memory (2011)
  • UB Exceptional Scholar, Young Investigator Award (2010)
  • NIH/NINDS Principal Investigator (2006)
  • NIH/NIDA National Research Service Award (2001)

Research Expertise:
  • Electrophysiology
  • Excitotoxicity
  • Learning and Memory
  • Ligand gated ion-channels
  • Molecular neurophysiology
  • Molecular neuroscience
  • Molecular pharmacology
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Neurophysiology
  • NMDA RECEPTORS
  • Single-molecule techniques
  • Synaptic plasticity
  • Synaptic transmission

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
  • Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

Grants and Sponsored Research:
  • April 2019–April 2024
    Gating Mechanism of NMDA receptors
    NIH/NINDS
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $343,668
  • April 2019–April 2024
    Experience-Dependent Reorganization of Excitatory Synapse Connectivity
    NIH/NIMH/R01
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $589,143
  • February 2021–March 2022
    Aptinyx Compound on NMDA receptor
    Aptinyx
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • March 2016–February 2022
    Permeation Mechanisms in NMDA receptors
    NIH/NINDS
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • January 2016–January 2018
    Mechanical Activation of NMDA receptors
    NIH/NINDS/R21
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $275,000
  • January 2012–December 2016
    Selective modulation of native NMDA receptors
    AHA Established Investigator Award
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $400,000
  • July 2006–April 2016
    Allosteric Modulation of NMDA receptors
    NINDS/R01
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $3,900,000
  • September 2010–May 2012
    Calcium modulation of synaptic receptors
    SUNY/REACH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $30,000
  • June 2008–May 2010
    NMDA receptors with restricted mobility of ligand-binding domains
    NIDA/R03
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $144,000
  • July 2005–June 2009
    Modulation of NMDA receptor by neurosteroids
    AHA Scientist Development Grant
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $160,000
  • August 2001–August 2004
    NMDA Receptor: kinetic modeling and mapping of the glutamate-binding domain
    NIH/NRSA F32
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $120,000
See all (1 more)

Journal Articles:

See all (47 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Iacobucci, Gary J and Popescu, Gabriela K. (2022) Glutamate-gated Calcium Currents in the Central Nervous System. In: Calcium Signals - From Single Molecules to Physiology.
  • Iacobucci, Gary J. Popescu, Gabriela K. (2019) N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors. In: The Oxford Handbook of Neuronal Ion Channels.

Professional Memberships:
  • ASBMB, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2014–present)
  • ASPET, America Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (2012–present)
  • IBRO, International Brain Research Organization (2000–present)
  • SfN, Society for Neuroscience (1999–present)
  • BPS, Biophysical Society (1999–present)
  • AAAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science (1999–present)
  • UBAA, UB Alumni Association

Presentations:
  • "NMDA Receptors as Molecular Targets for Fast-Acting Antidepressants" Gordon Research Conference on Excitatory Synapses and Brain Function, Switzerland (2023)
  • "Next Gen Approaches to NMDA Receptor Research" McGovern Medical School, UT Health (2022)
  • "NMDA Receptors: Narratives from Singles" Research Seminar, Baylor College of Medicine, TX (2022)
  • "NMDA Receptors: Beyond the Textbook" Annual Meeting of the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, Baltimore, MD (2022)
  • "NMDA Receptor Inactivation" Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Retreat, Stony Brook, NY (2022)
  • "Of Calcium and NMDA Receptors" Gordon Research Conference on Ion channels, Mount Holyoke, MA (2022)
  • "NMDA Receptors as Calcium Channels" Frontiers in Pharmacology Seminar Series, UC Davis, CA (2021)
  • "NMDA Receptors in Health and Disease" Research Seminar, Jacobs School Department of Pediatrics, Buffalo, NY (2021)
  • "NMDA Receptors: Learning from Singles" University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2021)
  • "Implementing Team Science" Buffalo CTSI Professional Development Series (2021)
  • "Pharmacology of NMDA Receptors" Research Seminar, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (2018)
  • "NMDA Receptors: From Biophysics to Physiology" University of Florida, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL (2018)
  • "Modeling NMDA receptor activation" Retreat on Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Mechanisms; Yale University (2017)
  • "The place of PhDs in the medical centers of tommorrow" AAMC CFAS Spring Conference; AAMC; CFAS (2017)
  • "Glycinergic Excitatory Receptors" University of Washington, Physiology Seminar Series (2016)
  • "Glycinergic excitatory receptors: NMDA receptors in name only" Gordon Research Conferences/Excitatory Transmission in Brain Function (2016)
  • "Molecular Physiology of NMDA Receptors" Seminar, Neuroscience, Medical College of Wisconsin (2016)
  • "Mechanisms in NMDA receptor signaling" Johns Hopkins University, Physiology Seminar Series (2015)
  • "Why Support Basic Research" AAMC Annual Meeting; AAMC (2015)
  • "NMDA Receptors: learning from singles" Harvard University, Molecular and Cell Biology Seminar Series (2015)
  • "Participation in Faculty Governance" AAMC/Spring CFAS Meeting; AAMC (2015)
  • "Glycinergic NMDA receptors" Biophysical Society Annual Meeting; Symposium on Molecules of Memory (2015)
  • "Preserving Science" AAMC Annual Meeting; AAMC (2014)
  • "NMDA receptors: Learning from Singles" RIT Student Research Seminar; Rochester Institute of Technology (2014)
  • "New inhibitory interface in NMDA receptors" Gordon Research Conferences/Ion Channels (2012)
  • "Glutamate Receptors: The workhorses of your memory" UB Summer Public Lecture Series (2011)
  • "Modes of NMDA receptor gating" GEPROM Symposium on Membrane Proteins, Montreal (2011)
See all (17 more)

Service Activities:
  • Biophysical Society; President-elect (2023–2024)
  • Faculty Council; President-elect (2022–2023)
  • NIH/F04B Study Section - Chair (2021)
  • Ad-Hoc Professorial Promotion Committee, School of Nursing, (2021)
  • AAAS Steering Committee Section N (Medical Sciences); Member at large (2020–2024)
  • Biophysical Journal; Associate Editor (2020–2022)
  • Biochemistry, Seminar Program; Coordinator (2019–present)
  • CTSI KL2 Mentored Career Development Program (2018–present)
  • LCME Self-Study Taskforce (2018–2019)
  • Provost’s Decanal Review of School of Nursing; Chair (2017–2018)
  • Chair, Faculty Council Standing Committee on Faculty Tenure and Promotions Policy (2017–present)
  • Faculty Council Standing Committee on Medical Curriculum (2017–present)
  • AAMC, Council of Faculty and Academic Societies; Chair (2017–2023)
  • AAMC, Board of Directors, Member; Board Member (2017–2021)
  • MD/PhD Admissions Committee; Member (2017–2020)
  • AAMC, Council of Faculty and Academic Societies, Chair; Chair (2017–2023)
  • LCME Diversity Task Force (2017–2018)
  • LCME Academic Environment Task Force (2017–2018)
  • President's Search Committee for Head of the Health Sciences Library (2017–2016)
  • Faculty Council Executive Committee; Basic Science Representative (2016–2018)
  • President’s Executive Search Committee for Dean of Dental Medicine; Member (2015–2016)
  • Provost’s Decanal Review of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Member (2015–2016)
  • Biophysical Society, Committee on Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW), Chair; Chair (2015–2021)
  • Biophysical Society, Council Member; Councilor (2015–2018)
  • Faculty Council, Standing Committee on Faculty Tenure and Promotions Policy (2014–2016)
  • Faculty Senate; Committee on Tenure, Promotion, and Priviledges; Chair (2014–2015)
  • Faculty Council, Steering Committee on Tenure and Promotions; Member (2014–2017)
  • NIH/Neurotransmitter Receptors and Calcium Signaling Study Section; Panel Member (2014–2020)
  • UB Neuroscience Program Steering Committee; Member (2014–2016)
  • President's Search Committee for Vice President of Faculty Affairs; Member (2014)
  • Journal of Neurochemistry; Associate Editor (2013–2016)
  • Biochemistry, Graduate Affairs Director; Director (2013–2014)
  • AAMC, CFAS Administrative Board; Member (2013–2016)
  • NIH/Neurotransmitters and Calcium Signaling Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2013)
  • Faculty Senate Executive Committee; Member (2013–2017)
  • Search Committee for Vice President of Communications; School Representative (2013)
  • UB2020 Faculty Liaison Committee; School Representative (2013)
  • NIH; BPNS Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2012–2014)
  • British Research Council, Reviewer; Grant Reviewer (2012)
  • Biophysical Society, Career Conversations, Panelist; Panel Member (2012)
  • Biophysical Society, Committee on Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW), Member; Member (2011–2015)
  • Biochemistry, Graduate Affairs Committee (2010–2013)
  • SUNY REACH, Neuroscience Consortium, Focus Group on Receptors and Brain Development; University Representative (2010–2016)
  • Society for Neuroscience, Buffalo Chapter; President (2009–2010)
  • Search Committee for HJKRI Director; Member (2009–2010)
  • ZRG1-MDCN;; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2009–2010)
  • AHA/R1 Electrophysiology Study Section; Panel Member (2008–2012)
  • Biochemistry, Seminar Program; Coordinator (2007–2008)
  • Advisory Committee on Postdoctoral Education; Member (2006–2009)
  • SfN Buffalo Chapter Steering Committee; Member (2006–2011)
  • American Heart Association; CHE Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2006–2018)
  • NIH/NEA4; Panel Member (2006–2007)
  • UB Postdoctoral Education, Steering Committee; Member (2005–2008)

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Contact Information

955 Main Street
Buffalo NY 14203
Office 4226; Lab 4250
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 829-3807
Fax: (716) 829-2661
popescu@buffalo.edu
View map
View faculty website

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