Sankalp Shukla, PhD

Sankalp Shukla, PhD, is a postdoctoral scholar with a passion for unraveling the intricacies of biological membranes in neurodegenerative diseases. With a background spanning from physical chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, to biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania, and now biophysics and structural biology at UC Berkeley, Dr. Shukla's journey has been marked by an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to scientific excellence. During his doctoral tenure, he delved into the realm of membrane asymmetry, elucidating its impact on membrane remodeling through innovative methodologies including in vitro reconstitution and optical force spectroscopy. Notably, his expertise expanded to include the study of transmembrane proteins, broadening the horizons of his research. Currently, in Dr. James H. Hurley's lab at UC Berkeley, Dr. Shukla continues his exploration of membrane-protein interactions, focusing on membrane repair and its implications for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Dr. Shukla’s long-term goal for his future research program is to mechanistically understand the role of biological membranes in neurological diseases using an interdisciplinary approach combining cutting-edge structural biology with quantitative in vitro reconstitution.