Opening the book…
Lakshmikanta Sengupta
Lakshmikanta Sengupta, Ph.D., is a biology educator with 40 years of experience teaching and mentoring in postsecondary settings. His teaching areas include genetics, biotechnology, human biology, and human anatomy and physiology.
Over four decades in the classroom, he has developed a strong understanding of how undergraduate students think and learn, the misconceptions they often bring to biology, and the explanations and learning activities that best support student success. He views educational institutions as vibrant communities where learning, mentorship, and collaboration can flourish.
Expertise in Biology Education
Dr. Sengupta combines deep disciplinary knowledge with strong teaching practice. He is well suited to author an undergraduate biology textbook because he brings both subject expertise and a student-centered approach to instruction.
His qualifications include:
- broad knowledge of the biological sciences
- familiarity with the history of biology, current debates, and emerging trends
- continued engagement with current scholarship to keep content accurate and relevant
- skill in explaining complex biological ideas in clear, accessible language
He uses engaging narratives, real-world examples, case studies, and carefully designed visuals such as diagrams, charts, and infographics to help students understand unfamiliar material.
Teaching and Learning Approach
Dr. Sengupta’s teaching is grounded in evidence-based, student-centered methods. He designs learning activities and assessments that help students monitor their understanding and strengthen scientific reasoning.
Examples include:
- discussion questions
- quizzes
- hands-on activities
- application-focused exercises
He also promotes collaboration among educators and students to share effective practices, improve teaching, and increase the quality and inclusivity of educational materials.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Sengupta has contributed to the scholarship of teaching and learning in biology. He collaborated with the Community College Biology Faculty Enhancement through Scientific Teaching (CCB FEST), a National Science Foundation-funded program.
He has also coauthored research publications in the following venues:
This combination of research engagement and classroom experience informs his textbook authorship and helps ensure that the content is both scientifically rigorous and pedagogically effective.
Broader Interests
Dr. Sengupta’s broader interests enrich his teaching with relatable and concrete examples. These interests include:
- macro and micro photography, which highlight the details of natural and anatomical structures
- cooking, which connects biology to nutrition and health
- gardening, which reflects a commitment to sustainability and the natural world
Together, his disciplinary depth, teaching expertise, assessment-driven approach, and long experience working with diverse undergraduate populations support his qualifications as a high-quality author of an undergraduate biology textbook.
Susmita Sengupta
Susmita Sengupta, Ph.D., is a scientist and educator who has taught at Bay Area community colleges for nearly two decades. She has more than 29 years of teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
She currently teaches Human Anatomy and Physiology and Human Biology. She has also taught:
- Genetics
- General Biology
- Mammalian Cell Culture
- Gene Expression in Cell Culture
Professional Development and Training
Dr. Sengupta has participated in a number of professional development programs that support effective biology instruction. These include:
- Summer Institute of Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics for Community College Faculty, University of California, Davis (2005)
- Instructional Skills Workshop, De Anza College (2018, 2020)
- RSI training (Winter 2025)
From 2010 to 2014, she was an active participant in CCB FEST (Community College Faculty Enhancement through Scientific Teaching), a National Science Foundation-funded project at San Francisco State University.
Leadership and Service
Dr. Sengupta is currently a member of the Academic Advisory Committee for Explorer’s Guide to Biology.
She has also served on several college committees, including:
- Curriculum Committee
- Educational Policies Committee
- Evaluation Committee
- Professional Development Committee
Through this work, she has contributed to program development and instructional quality.
Scholarship and Publications
Dr. Sengupta is the author of more than 26 publications in peer-reviewed journals. She has also developed laboratory manuals to support the courses she teaches.
Her experience in both classroom and laboratory instruction, combined with her long-term engagement in evidence-based teaching and curriculum design, gives her a strong understanding of how students learn biology.
This combination of:
- disciplinary expertise
- pedagogical training
- curriculum experience
- practical teaching experience with diverse student populations
makes her especially well qualified to serve as the author of this undergraduate textbook.
Selected Publications
- 2004: Molecular mechanisms, proteinopathies and therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative disorders. Current Genomics, 5(4), 327-346.
- 2002: Pharmacogenetic applications of the post genomic era. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 3(2), 141-150.
- 2001: Bioengineered crops: commercial and ethical considerations. Current Genomics, 2(2), 181-197.
- 1998: Calcium-dependent metabolic regulations in prokaryotes indicate conserved nature of calmodulin gene. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 36(2), 136-147.
- 1997: Phytolectins: the natural molecules with immense biotechnological potential. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 35, 11-18.
- 1990: Cytogenetic studies in human populations exposed to gas leak in Bhopal, India. Environmental Health Perspectives, 86, 323-326.
The book could not be loaded just now.