Uptal Banerjee

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Professor Uptal Banerjee has been an innovative and creative force in the molecular, cell and developmental biology department’s undergraduate curriculum since he arrived at UCLA eight years ago. During that time, his teaching has been an inspiration and a guiding light to both the faculty and the undergraduates who have had the privilege and honor to have taken his introductory genetics course. Faculty members describe his lectures as elegant, witty and delightful. His whole style, both verbal and physical, communicates to students his concern that they learn and that they understand.

Banerjee’s teaching style is very interactive, maximizing his contact with the students in his class. He has pioneered the concept of open office hours within his department. He has revolutionized the teaching of introductory genetics by instituting innovative daily clinics in order to teach small groups of students in a highly interactive way how to think about and solve conceptual problems in genetics – a process that is essential to comprehending modern genetic principles.

Banerjee took the lead in developing a new laboratory course designed to give undergraduates hands-on experience in molecular biology. He obtained funds to equip his laboratory and played a key role in designing the experiments carried out in the laboratory course.

Banerjee teaches in Elderhostel programs for senior citizens who come from all over the country to UCLA to learn about the exciting events taking place in the field of genetics. He is dedicated to outstanding graduate education. He has not only mentored several Ph.D. students, but he has also been a tireless participant in graduate-level courses and seminars.

Banerjee has distinguished himself in the classroom by his dedication, enthusiasm, patience and unique style of teaching. He has inspired numerous undergraduates to take an active interest in genetics and to pursue genetics as a career. He has inspired his departmental colleagues with his tireless efforts and dedication to excellence and creativity in undergraduate instruction. Each year, he takes several undergraduates into his laboratory and personally guides them through a highly enriching exploration of real science.

Banerjee was also the recipient of the Eby Award for Teaching. A former student and current Ph.D. candidate says of Banerjee, “I fully intend to model my teaching style after Dr. Banerjee’s, because his was the most effective and enjoyable that I have ever encountered.” There is no finer definition of a teacher.