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About the Department

The Department of Basic Sciences serves as the foundation of medical education at California Northstate University College of Medicine. Our faculty provide students with a strong understanding of the human body’s structure and function in health and disease through courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, cell biology, anatomy, genetics, and population sciences. We integrate scientific principles with clinical applications to prepare students for evidence-based practice and sound clinical reasoning. In addition to teaching, our faculty conduct innovative research in infectious diseases, neuroscience, and cardiovascular systems, advancing discoveries that drive medical progress and improve patient care. Together, these efforts strengthen the scientific foundation of medicine and inspire future physicians to pursue discovery in the service of human health.

From the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Basic Sciences! Our mission is to educate future physicians and scientists while advancing fundamental research that deepens our understanding of health and disease. We explore core disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and microbiology, fostering scientific discovery that translates into clinical innovation and improved patient outcomes.

The Department is committed to studying living systems at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels, providing the foundation for applied and translational research. Through close collaboration with our clinical faculty, we aim to transform scientific insights into new diagnostic tools, therapeutic approaches, and treatments that enhance human health.

Thank you for visiting our site. We invite you to explore the profiles of our faculty members and their research interests. We also invite you to communicate with us any comments related to our research projects.

Warm Regards,

Ghalib Alkhatib, PhD

Chair of Basic Science
Professor of Microbiology


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Ghalib Alkhatib, PhD

Basic Science Faculty

Edward Chang, MD, FACS, DDS

Edward Chang, MD, FACS, DDS

Assistant VP of Clinical Practice
Assistant Dean of Medical Education
Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology

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John Cusick, PhD

John Cusick, PhD

Professor of Immunology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry

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Elena Dedkova, DVM, PhD

Elena Dedkova, DVM, PhD

Associate Professor of Physiology
Chair, Awards Committee
Vice-Chair, Student Promotions Committee

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Eslam Mohamed, PhD

Eslam Mohamed, PhD

Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Assistant Professor of Medical Immunology
Chair, Research Committee

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Jose Puglisi, PhD

Jose Puglisi, PhD

Assistant Professor of Physiology and Biostatistics
Executive Chief Proctor

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Islam Mohamed, B. Pharm, MS, PhD

Islam Mohamed, B. Pharm, MS, PhD

Assistant Dean of Operational Services, Assessment, CQI & Accreditation
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Adjunct Associate Professor, California Northstate University College of Pharmacy

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Sailabala Vanguri, MBBS, MD

Sailabala Vanguri, MBBS, MD

Associate Professor of Human Anatomy

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Han-Rong Weng, MD, PhD

Han-Rong Weng, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

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Stephen Imperiale-Hagerman, PhD, M.Ed

Stephen Imperiale-Hagerman, PhD, M.Ed

Assistant Professor of Data Science and Statistics
Director of Assessment and Evaluation

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Valerie Gerriets, PhD

Valerie Gerriets, PhD

Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Immunology

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Yifan Li, PhD, MSc

Yifan Li, PhD, MSc

Professor of Physiology

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Anura W. G. Ratnasiri, PhD, MSc

Anura W. G. Ratnasiri, PhD, MSc

Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Research

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Alan Ernst, PhD

Alan Ernst, PhD

Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Neuroscience

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Ashraf Mohieldin, PhD

Ashraf Mohieldin, PhD

Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

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Fakhrul Ahsan, PhD

Fakhrul Ahsan, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer
Professor

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Mohamed Ahmed, MBChB, MSc

Mohamed Ahmed, MBChB, MSc

Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Embryology
Director, Anatomy Laboratory
Director, Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems Block
Chair, Faculty Executive Committee and Faculty Assembly

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Hazem Ali, PhD, PharmBS

Hazem Ali, PhD, PharmBS

Adjunct Associate Professor

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Catherine F. Yang, PhD, MD (h.c.)

Catherine F. Yang, PhD, MD (h.c.)

Associate Dean of Medical Education
Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Clinical Biochemistry

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Hongbin Wang, PhD

Hongbin Wang, PhD

Assistant Professor of Pharmacology

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