Roop Mallik


Roop Mallik is an Indian biophysicist who works on nanoscale molecular motor proteins that transport material such as viruses, mitochondria, endosomes etc. inside living cells. The motors, such as kinesin and dynein generate forces of pico-newton order to carry our various cellular processes namely cell division, vesicular transport, endocytosis, molecular tethering etc. He lab focuses to understand the function of molecular motor proteins and its role in pathogen degradation and lipid homeostasis in liver.

Early life

Prof. Mallik was born in 1970 in Allahabad, a small-town popularly known as sangam-city situated in the Northern India state of Uttar Pradesh. His father is a machine design engineer and mother was a senior teacher.

Career

He completed his post graduation in Physics in 1993 from Allahabad University. On the advice of his uncle, in 1994, he joined E. V. Sampathkumaran’s lab in Department of Condensed Matter Physics at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai for doctoral research. After the completion of his Ph.D. with over 20 international articles, he joined G. Krishnamoorthy and Jayant Udgaonkar's labs for short stint as post doctoral fellow. This small tenure introduced him to the world of biology. In 2002, he joined the lab of Steven Gross at Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine. In 2006, he again joined TIFR, as assistant professor in Department of Biological Sciences.

Personal life

Mallik is married to Dr. Sreelaja Nair, also a colleague at DBS, TIFR, Mumbai. Mallik is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He maintains a website of his travels and hikes.

Honors and awards