M. Gita Bangera Ph.D.
Dr. Gita Bangera is the current Dean of Undergraduate Research at Bellevue College and is the lead on developing the Research, Innovation, Service and Experiential Learning Institute (RISE). RISE is engaged in revamping research attitudes, standards and infrastructure across campus. Dr. Bangera has a depth of experience in both academic and applied research settings which are central to RISE’s efforts to propel Bellevue College forward as a regional destination.
Dr. Bangera was awarded her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Microbiology from Bhavan’s College and University of Bombay, respectively. Moving then to the United States of America Dr. Bangera received a further M.S. in Biological Science from Carnegie-Mellon, PA, before continuing to, and completing her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Washington State University, WA, in 1996.
Since completing her education Dr. Bangera has been immersed in the world of research. From conducting Post-Doctorate research with Harvard Medical School to working as a Senior Scientist at Combimatrix through to her role as the Chair of Life Sciences and Assistant Dean of Sciences here at Bellevue College. In combination with this Dr. Bangera has been published in leading academic journals including Nature and is also holder of a wide range of patents.
In terms of research infrastructure Dr. Bangera also has a wealth of experience. Dr. Bangera is serving on the National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council committee for organizing the Convocation on Integrating Discovery-Based Research Into the Undergraduate Curriculum. In conjunction with this Dr. Bangera is currently a fellow with Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education (PULSE). The fellows at PULSE are working to change attitudes and raise awareness regarding Life Science education on a national level. In combination with this Dr. Bangera is also a member of the From STEM to Stern project and Principle Investigator and Administrator of ComGen: The Community College Genomics Research Initiative. Dr. Bangera is also an Adjunct Professor with the Washington State University’s Department of Plant Pathology and has spoken at the UN regarding education. Across all of these projects the common thread is the evolution of attitudes towards research, teaching and learning.
During her time with RISE Dr. Bangera has begun the process of revamping core research infrastructure here at Bellevue College. In the near-future three new state-of-the-art research spaces for various research faculties will be taking shape at the centre of Bellevue College. One space will be developed as a transdisciplinary STEM laboratory, the second space will be a transdisciplinary space for human subjects research and the final space will be used as a transdisciplinary markers’ space. Several other smaller research collaboratories will also be developed to supplement these core structures across the wider campus. Dr. Bangera’s passion for research, in all of its guises, is a great asset to RISE and a driving force for change across Bellevue College.
Last Updated October 12, 2015