Dr. Hari K. Koul is Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology LSUHSC-School of Medicine. He concurrently serves as Associate Director for the Stanley S Scott Cancer Center/Head of the GU Oncology Research Program at LSUHSC. He is internationally recognized as one of the leading translational researchers in urologic diseases. His current research interests are focused on GU oncology with special emphasis on understanding the pathophysiology of prostate cancer. Over the past three decades, Dr. Koul has greatly contributed to our understanding of molecular mechanisms, specifically signal transduction pathways in genitor-urinary disorders. Dr. Koul’s research is focused on understanding the mechanisms of tumor progression and the emergence of therapeutic resistance, with special focus on epigenetic mechanisms and spatio-temporal regulation of gene expression; identification of novel markers that could potentially distinguish indolent vs. aggressive prostate cancer; developing new small molecular inhibitors to overcome therapy resistance, and evaluation of the role of Prostate Derived Ets Transcription Factor in PCa Health Disparities.
Dr. Koul earned his B.Sc. (Biology and Chemistry) and M.Sc. (Biochemistry) from Kashmir University-Srinagar, India and his Ph.D. (Biochemistry) from PGI, Chandigarh, India. As a graduate student Dr. Koul was a recipient of national merit fellowships from CSIR-India. Dr. Koul received postdoctoral training (1991-1995) at the UMASS Medical School, Worcester, MA. He was promoted to Instructor at UMASS Medical School and continued to work there until 1996. Dr. Koul served as Sr. Staff Scientist and founding member of the Urology Research team at Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI from 1996-2003. Dr. Koul was recruited as Professor and founding Program Director of Urology Research at the University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine. In 2013, Dr. Koul was recruited to LSUHSC-S as Professor with tenure and Carroll W. Feist Endowed Chair in Cancer. He also served as Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine and Associate Director for Basic and Translational Research of the Feist Weiller Cancer Center at LSUHSC-Shreveport. Dr. Koul was recruited to LSUHSC-New Orleans in February 2020.
Dr. Koul is recognized for his scientific leadership and original contributions to molecular mechanisms in urologic diseases across the globe. He is a tireless advocate for scientific research enterprise and is a thought leader. In recognition for his scientific contributions, tireless service, and research leadership, Dr. Koul has been elected President of the Society of Basic Urology Research (2016-2017), President of the Research on Calculous Kinetics Society-USA (2005-2006), Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (2010), Fellow of the American College of Nutrition (2004), and Co-Chair of the American Urological Association Research Grants Committee (2014-2015). He has served as a charter member of the American Urological Association Research Council (2007-2013; 2016-2018) and Member-at-Large/ Board of Directors of the Society of Basic Urological Research. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Society of American Asian Scientists in Cancer Research (2009). He served as a Charter Member of the NIH Study Section on the Urologic Kidney and Genitourinary Development (2003-2007) and US Veterans Administration Merit Review Subcommittee for Oncology (2004-2009). He also served as a member of the US Veterans Administration Merit Review Subcommittee for Surgery (2004-2008). He is frequently called to serve as a Chair/member on several NIH and DOD Panels for his expertise and leadership skills.
