Munira A. Basrai

American geneticist

Munira A. Basrai is an American geneticist known for her research in the field of chromosome biology and genomic stability. She is a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she leads a research team focused on understanding the mechanisms that maintain chromosome stability and their implications in cancer.

Early life and education

Munira A. Basrai was born and raised in the United States. She developed an early interest in the biological sciences, which led her to pursue higher education in the field. Basrai completed her undergraduate studies in biology at a prominent university, where she was introduced to the fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in genetics from a leading institution, where her doctoral research focused on the mechanisms of chromosome segregation.

Career

Munira A. Basrai

After completing her Ph.D., Basrai joined the National Cancer Institute as a postdoctoral fellow. During her fellowship, she conducted pioneering research on the role of centromeres and kinetochores in chromosome segregation. Her work contributed significantly to the understanding of how errors in these processes can lead to aneuploidy and cancer.

Basrai was later appointed as a senior investigator at the NCI, where she established her own research laboratory. Her team investigates the molecular mechanisms that ensure accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. They use a combination of genetic, biochemical, and cellular approaches to study these processes in model organisms and human cells.

Research contributions

Basrai's research has provided valuable insights into the role of centromeric proteins and the spindle assembly checkpoint in maintaining genomic stability. Her work has implications for understanding the development of cancer and other diseases associated with chromosomal instability. Basrai has published numerous articles in prestigious scientific journals and has been invited to speak at international conferences on chromosome biology and cancer research.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Basrai has received several awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to the field of genetics. She has been acknowledged for her innovative research and leadership in the scientific community. Her work continues to influence the study of chromosome biology and its impact on human health.

Related pages

• Genetics
• Chromosome segregation
• National Cancer Institute
• Cancer research