Gabriela K. Popescu PhD
Gabriela K. Popescu
PhD
Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Brain Research; Ion channel kinetics and structure; Molecular Basis of Disease; Neurobiology; Neurodegenerative disorders; Neuropharmacology; Protein Function and Structure; Signal Transduction
Professional Summary:
Dr. Popescu is a leading expert in molecular neuroscience. She studies the activation and modulation of NMDA receptors, the most abundant glutamate-stimulated, calcium-conducting channels in the brain and spinal cord. These receptors 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 help to establish direct correlations between the biophysical properties of NMDA receptors and mechanisms for synaptic transmission and plasticity in the central nervous system to guide strategies that maintain or restore behavioral health and well-being across the lifespan.
Dr. Popescu investigates how structural features of the NMDA receptors generate their electrical output, using a range of biophysical and biochemical methods. Among these are highly specialized biophysical techniques such as single-molecule electrophysiology, patch-clamp fluorometry, kinetic modeling of single-channel currents, and molecular dynamic simulations. Funds from the NIH have continuously supported Dr. Popescu's research projects and the training of several graduate and postdoctoral fellows working under her mentorship.
Dr. Popescu has been recognized internationally with the Sharona Gordon Award for her "clear and sustained impact on improving equity and inclusivity in the fields of physiology and biophysics" and with the AAMC Distinguished Service Membership for her "sustained service to the academic medicine community". She served on the AAMC Board of Directors, as the President of the Biophysical Society, and is an honorary Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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:
- Elected to the AAAS Board of Directors (2025)
- Appointed to the External Advisory Board of the NSF National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (2024)
- Elected Honorary AAAS Fellow (2024)
- Elected President of the Biophysical Society (2024)
- Awarded AAMC Distinguished Service Membership (2023)
- Granted NINDS Outstanding Investigator Award (2023)
- Honored with Sharona Gordon Award for Transformational Leadership (SGP) (2023)
- Honored with UB Exceptional Scholar, Sustained Achievement Award (2021)
- Elected Chair of the AAMC Council of Faculty and Academic Societies (2019)
- Elected to the AAMC Board of Directors (2017)
- Granted the Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association (2012)
- Delivered Public Lecture - Glutamate Receptors: The Workhorses of Your Memory (2011)
- Honored with the UB Exceptional Scholar, Young Investigator Award (2010)
- Granted NINDS Investigative Research Awards (2006 - present) (2006)
- Granted a National Research Service Award from the NIH/NIDA (2001)
Research Expertise:
- Electrophysiology
- Excitotoxicity
- Learning and Memory
- Ligand gated ion-channels
- Molecular neurophysiology
- Molecular neuroscience
- Molecular pharmacology
- Neurodegeneration
- Neurophysiology
- NMDA RECEPTORS
- Protein Dynamics and Allostery
- Single-molecule techniques
- Synaptic plasticity
- Synaptic transmission
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- May 2023–April 2031
Molecular Physiology of NMDA Receptors
NINDS
Role: Principal Investigator
$4,200,000 - April 2019–April 2025
Gating Mechanism of NMDA receptors
NIH/NINDS
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,400,000 - April 2019–April 2025
Experience-Dependent Reorganization of Excitatory Synapse Connectivity
NIH/NIMH/R01
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$3,270,000 - May 2023–December 2023
Diversity Supplement - Investigating the Role of GluN1 Met 813 in NMDA receptor gating
NINDS
Role: Principal Investigator
$60,000 - 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
Journal Articles:
- Abbott JA, Wen H, Liu B, Gupta SS, Iacobucci GJ, Zheng W, Popescu GK. (2024) Allosteric inhibition of NMDA receptors by low dose ketamine. Molecular psychiatry (Sep)
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2024) Calcium- and calmodulin-dependent inhibition of NMDA receptor currents. Biophysical journal (Feb), 123(3): 277-293. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2023.12.018
- Weaver MG, Popescu GK. (2024) Estimating the Ca2+ Permeability of NMDA Receptors with Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) (Jan), 2799: 177-200.
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2024) Estimating the Ca2+ Block of NMDA Receptors with Single-Channel Electrophysiology. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) (Jan), 2799: 151-175.
- Kumar J, Popescu GK, Gantz SC. (2023) GluD receptors are functional ion channels. Biophysical journal (Jun), 122(12): 2383-2395. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2023.05.012
- Iacobucci GJ, Liu B, Wen H, Sincox B, Zheng W, Popescu GK. (2022) Complex functional phenotypes of NMDA receptor disease variants. Molecular psychiatry (Sep)
- Belin S, Maki BA, Catlin J, Rein BA, Popescu GK. (2022) Membrane Stretch Gates NMDA Receptors. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (Jul), 42(29): 5672-5680. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0350-22.2022
- Abbott JA, Popescu GK. (2022) Homecoming of the estranged GluD channels. Trends in neurosciences (Jul), 45(7): 499-501. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2022.04.001
- Iacobucci GJ, Wen H, Helou M, Liu B, Zheng W, Popescu GK. (2021) Cross-subunit interactions that stabilize open states mediate gating in NMDA receptors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Jan), 118(2) doi:10.1073/pnas.2007511118
- Amico-Ruvio, Stacy A. Paganelli, Meaghan A. Abbott, Jamie A. Myers, Jason M. Kasperek, Eileen M. Iacobucci, Gary I. Popescu, Gabriela K. (2020) Contributions by N-terminal Domains to NMDA Receptor Currents. bioRxiv (Dec)2020.08.21.261388. doi:10.1101/2020.08.21.261388
- Popescu GK. (2020) FRET-ting over Inactivation. Biophysical journal (Dec), 119(11): 2139-2140. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.015
- Abbott JA, Popescu GK. (2020) Hydroxynorketamine Blocks N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Currents by Binding to Closed Receptors. Molecular pharmacology (Sep), 98(3): 203-210. doi:10.1124/mol.120.119784
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2020) Ca2+-Dependent Inactivation of GluN2A and GluN2B NMDA Receptors Occurs by a Common Kinetic Mechanism. Biophysical journal (Feb), 118(4): 798-812. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.057
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2019) Spatial Coupling Tunes NMDA Receptor Responses via Ca2+ Diffusion. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (Nov), 39(45): 8831-8844. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0901-19.2019
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2018) Kinetic models for activation and modulation of NMDA receptor subtypes. Curr Opin Physiol (Apr), 2: 114-122.
- Iacobucci GJ and Popescu GK. (2018) Kinetic Models for Activation and Modulation of NMDA Receptor Subtypes. Current Opinion in Physiology (Feb), 2: 114-122.
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2017) Resident Calmodulin Primes NMDA Receptors for Ca2+-Dependent Inactivation. Biophys J (Nov), 113(10): 2236-2248.
- Cummings KA, Belin S, Popescu GK. (2017) Residues in the GluN1 C-terminal domain control kinetics and pharmacology of GluN1/GluN3A N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Neuropharmacology (Jun), 119: 40-47.
- Zheng W, Wen H, Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2017) Probing the Structural Dynamics of the NMDA Receptor Activation by Coarse-Grained Modeling. Biophys J (Jun), 112(12): 2589-2601.
- Bajpai VK, Kerosuo L, Tseropoulos G, Cummings KA, Wang X, Lei P, Liu B, Liu S, Popescu GK, Bronner ME, Andreadis ST. (2017) Reprogramming Postnatal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes Toward Functional Neural Crest Fates. Stem Cells (Jan).
- Iacobucci GJ, Popescu GK. (2017) NMDA receptors: linking physiological output to biophysical operation. Nat Rev Neurosci (Jan), 18(4): 236-249.
- Maneshi MM, Maki B, Gnanasambandam R, Belin S, Popescu GK, Sachs F, Hua SZ. (2017) Mechanical stress activates NMDA receptors in the absence of agonists. Sci Rep (Jan), 7: 39610-39610.
- Cummings KA, Popescu GK. (2016) Protons Potentiate GluN1/GluN3A Currents by Attenuating Their Desensitisation. Sci Rep (Mar), 6: 23344-23344.
- Borschel WF, Cummings KA, Tindell LK, Popescu GK. (2015) Kinetic Contributions to Gating by Interactions Unique to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) Receptors. J Biol Chem (Oct), 290(44): 26846-26855.
- Cummings KA, Popescu GK. (2015) Glycine-dependent activation of NMDA receptors. J Gen Physiol (May).
- Popescu GK. (2015) Accessories assist AMPA receptors to close pockets. J Gen Physiol (Jan), 145(1): 17-21.
- Paganelli MA, Popescu GK. (2015) Actions of bupivacaine, a widely used local anesthetic, on NMDA receptor responses. J Neurosci (Jan), 35(2): 831-842.
- Maki BA, Popescu GK. (2014) Extracellular Ca(2+) ions reduce NMDA receptor conductance and gating. J Gen Physiol (Nov), 144(5): 379-392.
- Maki BA, Popescu GK. (2014) Extracellular Ca2+ ions reduce NMDA receptor conductance and gating. J Gen Physiol (Nov), 144(5): 379-392.
- Aman TK, Maki BA, Ruffino TJ, Kasperek EM, Popescu GK. (2014) Separate Intramolecular Targets for Protein Kinase A Control N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Gating and Ca2+ Permeability. J Biol Chem (Jul), 289(27): 18805-18817.
- Maki BA, Cummings KA, Paganelli MA, Murthy SE, Popescu GK. (2014) One-channel cell-attached patch-clamp recording. J Vis Exp (Jun)(88).
- Murphy JA, Stein IS, Lau CG, Peixoto RT, Aman TK, Kaneko N, Aromolaran K, Saulnier JL, Popescu GK, Sabatini BL, Hell JW, Zukin RS. (2014) Phosphorylation of Ser1166 on GluN2B by PKA is critical to synaptic NMDA receptor function and Ca2+ signaling in spines. J Neurosci (Jan), 34(3): 869-879.
- Paganelli MA, Kussius CL, Popescu GK. (2013) Role of cross-cleft contacts in NMDA receptor gating. PLoS One (Nov), 8(11): 80953-80953.
- Yu H, Popescu GK. (2013) Inhibition of GluN2A-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by 2-naphthoic acid. Mol Pharmacol (Oct), 84(4): 541-550.
- Yu H, Popescu GK. (2013) Inhibition of GluN2A-containing NMDA Receptors by 2-Naphthoic Acid. Mol Pharmacol (Jul).
- Maki BA, Cole R, Popescu GK. (2013) Two serine residues on GluN2A C-terminal tails control NMDA receptor current decay times. Channels (Austin) (Mar), 7(2): 126-132.
- Amico-Ruvio SA, Paganelli MA, Myers JM, Popescu GK. (2012) Ifenprodil Effects on GluN2B-Containing Glutamate Receptors. Mol Pharmacol (Dec), 82(6): 1074-1081.
- Borschel WF, Myers JM, Kasperek EM, Smith TP, Graziane NM, Nowak LM, Popescu GK. (2012) Gating reaction mechanism of neuronal NMDA receptors. J Neurophysiol (Dec), 108(11): 3105-3115.
- Maki BA, Aman TK, Amico-Ruvio SA, Kussius CL, Popescu GK. (2012) C-terminal Domains of N-Methyl-D-aspartic Acid Receptor Modulate Unitary Channel Conductance and Gating. J Biol Chem (Oct), 287(43): 36071-36080.
- Murthy SE, Shogan T, Page JC, Kasperek EM, Popescu GK. (2012) Probing the activation sequence of NMDA receptors with lurcher mutations. J Gen Physiol (Sep), 140(3): 267-277.
- Popescu GK. (2012) Modes of glutamate receptor gating. J Physiol (Jan), 590(Pt 1): 73-91.
- Borschel WF, Murthy SE, Kasperek EM, Popescu GK. (2011) NMDA receptor activation requires remodelling of intersubunit contacts within ligand-binding heterodimers. Nat Commun (Oct), 2: 498-498.
- Amico-Ruvio SA, Murthy SE, Smith TP, Popescu GK. (2011) Zinc effects on NMDA receptor gating kinetics. Biophys J (Apr), 100(8): 1910-1918.
- Popescu GK Murthy, SE Borschel, WF. (2010) Allosteric inhibitors of NMDA receptor functions. Pharmaceuticals (Dec)1910-1918.
- Kussius CL, Popescu GK. (2010) NMDA receptors with locked glutamate-binding clefts open with high efficacy. J Neurosci (Sep), 30(37): 12474-12479.
- Kussius CK Popescu GK. (2010) NMDA receptors with locked ligand-binding clefts open with high efficacy. J Neuroscience (Sep).
- Amico-Ruvio SA, Popescu GK. (2010) Stationary gating of GluN1/GluN2B receptors in intact membrane patches. Biophys J (Apr), 98(7): 1160-1169.
- Popescu GK, Amico-Ruvio SA. (2010) Stationary gating patterns of GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptors in intact membrane patches. Biophysical Journal (Apr), 98(7).
- Popescu GK, Popescu AM, Kussius CL. (2010) Agonist-specific Action at NMDA Receptors. Channels (Austin) (Mar), 4(2).
- Kussius CL, Popescu AM, Popescu GK. (2010) Agonist-specific gating of NMDA receptors. Channels (Austin) (Mar), 4(2): 78-82.
- Kussius CL, Popescu GK. (2009) Kinetic basis of partial agonism at NMDA receptors. Nat Neurosci (Sep), 12(9): 1114-1120.
- Kussius CL, Kaur N, Popescu GK. (2009) Pregnanolone sulfate promotes desensitization of activated NMDA receptors. J Neurosci (May), 29(21): 6819-6827.
- Zhang W, Howe JR, Popescu GK. (2008) Distinct gating modes determine the biphasic relaxation of NMDA receptor currents. Nat Neurosci (Dec), 11(12): 1373-1375.
- Wei Zhang, James. R. Howe, Gabriela K. Popescu. (2008) Distinct gating modes determine the biphasic relaxation of NMDA receptor currents. Nature Neuroscience (Oct).
- Popescu G. (2005) Principles of NMDA receptor allosteric modulation. Molecular Pharmacology (Oct), 68(4).
- Popescu G. (2005) Mechanism-based targeting of NMDA receptor functions. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (Oct), 62(18).
- Popescu G, Robert A, Howe JR, Auerbach A. (2004) Reaction mechanism determines NMDA receptor response to repetitive stimulation. Nature (Aug), 430(7001): 790-793.
- Popescu G, Auerbach A. (2004) The NMDA receptor gating machine: lessons from single channels. Neuroscientist (Jun), 10(3): 192-198.
- Popescu G, Auerbach A. (2003) Modal gating of NMDA receptors and the shape of their synaptic response. Nature Neuroscience (Apr).
- Peng H, Myers J, Fang X, Stachowiak EK, Maher PA, Martins GG, Popescu G, Berezney R, Stachowiak MK. (2002) Integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS) pathway mediates activation of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene by angiotensin II, depolarization and protein kinase C. J Neurochem (May), 81(3): 506-524.
- Popescu G, Napoli JL. (2000) Analysis of rat cytosolic 9-cis-retinol dehydrogenase activity and enzymatic characterization of rat ADHII. Biochim Biophys Acta (Jan), 1476(1): 43-52.
- Chai X, Zhai Y, Popescu G, Napoli JL. (1995) Cloning of a cDNA for a second retinol dehydrogenase type II. Expression of its mRNA relative to type I. J Biol Chem (Nov), 270(47): 28408-28412.
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:
- SGP, Society of General Physiologists (2022–present)
- 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:
- "Of Zinc and NMDA Receptors" International Society for Zinc Biology, Merida, Mexico (2024)
- "Effects of Low-dose Ketamine on NMDA Receptors" University of Iowa, Iowa City (2024)
- "Of Ketamine and NMDA Receptors" University of Miami, Miami (2023)
- "Ketamine Actions on NMDA Receptor Signals" iGluR Annual Retreat, Chicago (2023)
- "NMDA Receptors as Molecular Targets for Fast-Acting Antidepressants" GRC on Excitatory Synapses and Brain Function, Switzerland (2023)
- "Low-dose Ketamine Desensitizes NMDA Receptors" Physiology and Biophysics, Buffalo (2023)
- "Next Gen Approaches to NMDA Receptor Research" UT Health, Houston (2022)
- "NMDA Receptors: Narratives from Singles" Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (2022)
- "NMDA Receptors: Beyond the Textbook" Keynote Lecture, Annual Meeting of SfN Chapter, Baltimore (2022)
- "NMDA Receptor Inactivation" iGluR Annual Retreat, Stony Brook (2022)
- "Of Calcium and NMDA Receptors" GRC on Ion Channels, Mount Holyoke (2022)
- "NMDA Receptors as Calcium Channels" FRONTIERS in Pharmacology Seminar Series, UC Davis (2021)
- "NMDA Receptors in Health and Disease" JSMBS Department of Pediatrics, Buffalo (2021)
- "NMDA Receptors: Learning from Singles" University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2021)
- "Implementing Team Science" CTSI Professional Development Series, Buffalo (2021)
- "Pharmacology of NMDA Receptors" Northwestern University, Chicago (2018)
- "NMDA Receptors: From Biophysics to Physiology" University of Florida, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville (2018)
- "Modeling NMDA receptor activation" iGluR Annual Retreat, Yale University, New Haven (2017)
- "The place of PhDs in the medical centers of tommorrow" AAMC CFAS Spring Conference, Orlando (2017)
- "Glycinergic Excitatory Receptors" University of Washington, Seattle (2016)
- "Glycinergic excitatory receptors: NMDA receptors in name only" GRC on Excitatory Transmission in Brain Function, Switzerland (2016)
- "Molecular Physiology of NMDA Receptors" Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (2016)
- "Mechanisms in NMDA receptor signaling" Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (2015)
- "Why Support Basic Research" AAMC Annual Meeting, Baltimore (2015)
- "NMDA Receptors: learning from singles" Harvard University, Boston (2015)
- "Participation in Faculty Governance" AAMC Spring CFAS Meeting, San Diego (2015)
- "Glycinergic NMDA receptors" Biophysical Society Annual Meeting, Baltimore (2015)
- "Preserving Science" AAMC Annual Meeting, Chicago (2014)
- "NMDA receptors: Learning from Singles" RIT Student Research Seminar, Rochester (2014)
- "New inhibitory interface in NMDA receptors" Gordon Research Conferences, Mount Holyoke (2012)
- "Glutamate Receptors: The workhorses of your memory" UB Summer Public Lecture Series, Buffalo (2011)
- "Modes of NMDA receptor gating" GEPROM Symposium on Membrane Proteins, Montreal, Canada (2011)
Service Activities:
- NIH, NINDS Interdisciplinary Team Science (COMBINE) Grant Review Panel; Reviewer (2025)
- AAAS; Board of Directors (2025–2029)
- Biophysical Society; Past President (2025–2026)
- NIH, NINDS R35 Grant Review Panel - ZNS1 SRB-P (16); Reviewer (2024)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council; Past President (2024–2025)
- Biophysical Society; President (2024–2025)
- NSF, National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS); External Advisory Board Member (2024–present)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel, ZRG1 MBBC-H(02); Reviewer (2023)
- SUNY STRIVE (STrategic Research InVEstment) Task Force: Mind-Brain Workgroup; Co-leader (2023–2024)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council, Select Committee on Facilities Planning and Space Allocation Policy; Member (2023–2025)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council; President (2023–2024)
- Biophysical Society; President-elect (2023–2024)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council; President Elect (2022–2023)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel, F04B; Chair (2021)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, School of Nursing, Professorial Promotion Ad-Hoc Committee; Member (2021)
- AAAS, Section N (Medical Sciences), Steering Committee; Member at large (2020–2023)
- Biophysical Journal; Associate Editor (2020–present)
- Jacobs School, Biochemistry Seminar Program; Coordinator (2019–present)
- Jacobs School, LCME Self-Study Taskforce; Member (2018–2019)
- University at Buffalo, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, KL2 Mentored Career Development Program; Mentor (2018–present)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council Standing Committee on Medical Curriculum; Member (2017–2022)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council, Standing Committee on Faculty Tenure and Promotions Policy; Chair (2017–2022)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Provost’s Review of School of Nursing Dean; Chair (2017–2018)
- AAMC, Board of Directors; Board Member (2017–2021)
- Jacobs School, MD/PhD Admissions Committee; Member (2017–2020)
- AAMC, Council of Faculty and Academic Societies (CFAS); Chair (2017–2023)
- Jacobs School, LCME Diversity Task Force; Member (2017–2018)
- Jacobs School, LCME Academic Environment Task Force; Member (2017–2018)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, President's Search Committee for Head of the Health Sciences Library; Member (2017–2016)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council Executive Committee; Elected Basic Science Representative (2016–2018)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, President’s Executive Search Committee for Dean of Dental Medicine; Member (2015–2016)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Provost’s Review of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Dean; Member (2015–2016)
- Biophysical Society, Committee on Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW); Chair (2015–2021)
- Biophysical Society, Governing Council; Councilor (2015–2018)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council, Standing Committee on Faculty Tenure and Promotions Policy; Member (2014–2016)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Faculty Senate, Committee on Tenure, Promotion, and Privileges; Chair (2014–2015)
- Jacobs School, Faculty Council, Committee on Faculty Tenure, Promotions, and Privileges Policy; Member (2014–2017)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel, Neurotransmitters and Calcium Signaling (NTRC); Reviewer (2014–2020)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Neuroscience Program Steering Committee; Member (2014–2016)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, President's Search Committee for Vice President of Faculty Affairs; Member (2014)
- Journal of Neurochemistry; Associate Editor (2013–2016)
- Jacobs School, Biochemistry Graduate Affairs Director; Director (2013–2014)
- American Asociation of Medical Colleges; Appointed Jacobs School Faculty Representative (2013–2023)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel, Neurotransmitters and Calcium Signaling (NTRC); Reviewer (2013)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Faculty Senate Executive Committee; Member (2013–2017)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Search Committee for Vice President of Communications; School Representative (2013)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, UB2020 Faculty Liaison Committee; School Representative (2013)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel, Biophysics of Neurotransmitters and Synapses (BPNS); Reviewer (2012–2014)
- British Research Council, Grant Review Panel; Reviewer (2012)
- Biophysical Society, Career Conversations Panel; Panelist (2012)
- Biophysical Society, Committee on Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW); Member (2011–2015)
- Jacobs School, Biochemistry Graduate Affairs Committee; Member (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)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Search Committee for HJKRI Director; Member (2009–2010)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (ZRG1-MDCN); Reviewer (2009–2010)
- American Heart Association, Grant Review Panel (R1 Electrophysiology); Panel Member (2008–2012)
- Jacobs School, Biochemistry Seminar Program; Coordinator (2007–2008)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Advisory Committee on Postdoctoral Education; Member (2006–2009)
- University at Buffalo, SfN, Chapter, Steering Committee; Member (2006–2011)
- Jacobs School, Biochemistry Research Day, Annual Student Poster Competition; Judge (2006–present)
- American Heart Association; Grant Review Panel (CHE); Reviewer (2006–2018)
- NIH, CSR Grant Review Panel (NEA4); Reviewer (2006–2007)
- University at Buffalo, SUNY, Postdoctoral Education, Steering Committee; Member (2005–2008)