About Dr. Susy C. Kohout

  I view cells and their critical communication from a molecular point of view because of my background. My first science love was chemistry encouraged by my high school chemistry teacher, Mr. George. I followed that love for my undergraduate studies and then discovered organic chemistry and synthesis, working with Dr. Tom Meade and Dr. Seth Marder. After earning my Bachelors of Science in Organic Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, I branched out from synthesis to study how proteins interact with calcium and with the lipid membrane. I earned a PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry with a certificate in Biophysics from the University of Colorado, Boulder working with Dr. Joseph Falke. Following my developing love of cell communication, I started my postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley working with Dr. Ehud Isacoff. I studied biophysics and neuroscience, discovering how electrical signaling is as fundamental as chemical signaling in cells. After my postdoc, I started my own laboratory at Montana State University where I continued my research into neuroscience and the electrical signaling of cells while expanding to include cell biology and physiology. I recently joined the Biomedical Science faculty at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University where I will take advantage of the medical school to expand my research into more medically relevant directions.

I have 9 years of experience teaching both undergraduates and graduate students in a class room setting covering cell biology, molecular biology and molecular neuroscience. I have more than 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring students in the laboratory. 

I also strongly believe in serving my community. I have served on departmental, college and university wide committees. I also participate in outreach, particularly advancing and encouraging women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields.

To learn a bit more about me, you can hear me talk about my research and my background at this MSU Research in Action YouTube video. 

You can also hear me discuss one of my publications in Spanish during the Science behind the scenes SOBLA (Sociedad de Biofisicos Latinoamericanos) Journal Club.

See here for a full list of publications

I am always looking for good postdocs, graduate students and technicians. Please contact me if you are interested!

Lab Members

Brandi Sweet, PhD candidate

Brandi joined the lab as a graduate student in September 2022, just one month after Dr. Kohout moved to CMSRU. 

Mohammad Reza Arbab, PhD candidate

Mohammad joined the lab as a graduate student in January 2023.