From Publication to Prestigious Seminar: Dr. Usha Mahawar’s Remarkable Achievements
We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr Usha Mahawar, a Postdoctoral Researcher and Lab Manager, in Dr. Binks Wattenberg’s lab, whose dedication and research have led to two significant milestones this year. The first being publishing her first-author paper and the second being receiving a travel award to present her work at the 2025 Gordon Research Seminar on Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin.
Dr. Mahawar’s first-author publication, titled “The individual isoforms of ORMDL, the regulatory subunit of serine palmitoyl transferase, have distinctive sensitivities to ceramide”, was published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids (Elsevier).
The central question she set out to answer was “why do cells need three ORMDL isoforms to regulate one enzyme (SPT)?”. Guided by this, this manuscript provides new insights into the role of ORMDL isoforms in regulating serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT) activity and sphingolipid levels. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, Dr. Mahawar and her colleagues demonstrated that each ORMDL isoform (ORMDL1, ORMDL2, and ORMDL3) has unique sensitivities to ceramide, highlighting their non-redundant and distinct contributions to sphingolipid homeostasis.
Importantly, the study connects ORMDL-mediated SPT regulation to diseases such as childhood ALS and hereditary spastic paraplegia, emphasizing their biological and therapeutic significance. With ORMDLs highly conserved across species, this research sets the stage for future work in understanding lipid metabolism and exploring therapeutic interventions.
In addition to her publication, Dr. Mahawar earned a travel award, which funded her attendance at the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin. This prestigious meeting brings together graduate students, postdocs, and early-career investigators to discuss breakthrough discoveries in the field. At the seminar, she delivered a talk entitled “Regulation of Sphingolipid Biosynthesis in Mammalian Keratinocytes”. This talk highlighted how her expertise in sphingolipid biochemistry can contribute to skin biology and potential therapeutic applications. While reflecting on the experience, she states:
“Receiving the travel award was both an honor and a significant milestone. Personally, it validated my hard work and boosted my confidence. Professionally, it enhanced my credibility, expanded my network, and provided valuable insights I can apply to future endeavors.”
Attending both the GRS and the following Gordon Research Conference (GRC) was, in her words, “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to connect with leading experts, broaden her perspective, and explore new directions for her research career.
As she continues advancing her career, Dr. Mahawar is eager to explore how her expertise in sphingolipid biology can be applied to skin biology and therapeutic development. Her achievements serve as an inspiring example of perseverance, curiosity, and excellence in scientific research.
Let’s congratulate Dr. Usha Mahawar on these remarkable milestones!
By Chanelle Kamga
Department of CMGM, VCU SOM
Email: Kamganguekacb@vcu.edu
Date: 8/Sept/2025