Sathees Chandra, PhD
- schandra@samuelmerritt.edu
- Phone
- 510-879-9238
- Office
- Oakland
- Department
- Office of College of Health Sciences
Colleges and programs
Community involvement
Beyond my academic leadership at Samuel Merritt University, I am actively engaged in professional service, scientific collaboration, community engagement, and health professions workforce development. My work spans the health and biomedical sciences, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and strengthening pathways to careers in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions. I champion opportunities in clinical and experiential learning, research, professional development, volunteerism, and service that prepare students for meaningful careers in healthcare.
A key focus of my work is cultivating strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations, academic and industry leaders, and community stakeholders to expand clinical, research, and experiential opportunities. My community engagement has included service with Feeding South Florida and Ronald McDonald House, as well as participation in cancer awareness and fundraising initiatives. Through these efforts, I bring together academic leadership, scientific expertise, strategic partnerships, and community service to advance student success, strengthen the health professions workforce, and contribute to healthier communities.
Notable affiliations
I maintain active affiliations with national professional organizations spanning biomedical science, health professions education, academic leadership, and student advising. My professional engagement includes the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP), Genetics Society of America (GSA), Entomological Society of America (ESA), and American Association of University Professors (AAUP).
My broader professional network extends across medical, dental, health sciences, and healthcare institutions through academic partnerships, scientific collaborations, student pathway initiatives, and workforce development. As Dean of the College of Health Sciences at Samuel Merritt University, I work with academic, healthcare, and industry partners to expand educational opportunities, strengthen pathways into the health professions, and advance interdisciplinary healthcare education. I have also cultivated strong professional relationships with Mysore Medical College in India and leading biotechnology and healthcare organizations, including Abbott Laboratories and Baxter, reflecting my commitment to building meaningful academic, scientific, and industry partnerships that enhance education, collaboration, and professional opportunities.
Selected scholarly highlights
My research and scholarship span nearly three decades and encompass genetics, genomics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biomedical science. With more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and scholarly contributions cited internationally, my work reflects a sustained record of scientific inquiry across fundamental, interdisciplinary, and health-related research. My scholarship has addressed topics ranging from the genetic and molecular basis of complex biological traits to contemporary questions in biomedical and translational science, demonstrating both the breadth and evolution of my scientific interests.
My early pioneering research in honeybee behavior and behavioral genetics employed quantitative genetics, gene mapping, and genomic approaches to advance our understanding of the genetic architecture underlying complex behavior. This work earned national recognition, including the David W. Fulker Award for outstanding research in behavioral genetics. Over time, my scholarship broadened to encompass interdisciplinary areas of human health and disease, drawing upon my expertise in genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. My scholarly accomplishments have also been recognized with the prestigious Sr. Jeanne O’Laughlin, OP, Scholar’s Award for exceptional scholarly performance. Complementing my research and publications is my longstanding commitment to scientific collaboration and research mentorship, through which I have brought my scholarly expertise into graduate biomedical education and the preparation of future scientists and healthcare professionals.
Selected Publications
The following publications highlight the breadth and evolution of nearly three decades of research and scholarship, from foundational studies in animal behavior and behavioral genetics to molecular, biomedical, and translational sciences.
Ghafarian, A., & Chandra, S. (2025). Stem cell-based tissue engineering for the regeneration of periodontal structures: A systematic review of current progress and barriers. Medicine Science, 14(3), 938–947.
Ahmad, M., & Chandra, S. (2023). The microbial community of persistent endodontic infection and the use of root canal disinfectants against E. faecalis: In vitro and in vivo review. Medicine Science, 12(2), 606–612.
Sharma, M., & Chandra, S. (2018). The critical role of estrogen in menopausal osteoporosis. Journal of Contemporary Medicine, 7(3), 284–297.
Alhajj, M., & Chandra, S. (2016). Pemphigus vulgaris: A comprehensive presentation of the desmosomal adhesion and oral blister-causing multifactorial autoimmune disease. Journal of Experimental and Integrative Medicine, 4, 151–157.
Kurek, N., & Chandra, S. (2013). Nanotechnology-based treatments for neurological disorders from genetics perspectives. Archives Medical Review Journal, 22, 12–32.
Shyamalamma, S., Chandra, S., Hegde, M., & Narayanswamy, P. (2008). Evaluation of genetic diversity in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) based on AFLP markers. Genetics and Molecular Research, 7, 645–656.
Chandra, S., Hunt, G. J., Cobey, S., & Smith, B. H. (2001). Quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with reversal learning and latent inhibition in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Behavior Genetics, 31, 275–285.
Chandra, S., Geetha, L., Abraham, V. A., Karanth, P., Thomas, K., Srinivasan, M. V., & Gadagkar, R. (1998). Uniform discrimination of pattern recognition by honeybees. Animal Behaviour, 56, 1391–1398.
