Sireesha Mamillapalli

Geisinger Commonwealth

School of Medicine

What are your name and title/rank?

Sireesha Mamillapalli, PhD

Assistant Professor-Biochemistry and Physiology

Longitudinal Content Lead-Biochemistry

Course Director-Integrated Science Course II

smamillapalli@geisinger.edu

How long have you been a member of ABE, and what attracted you to the organization?

I have been an active member of the Association of Biochemistry Educators (ABE) since 2021. My decision to join ABE was driven by its strong commitment to advancing biochemistry education in the health professions-an area closely aligned with my academic and professional goals. As an educator deeply involved in curriculum development, faculty leadership, and interdisciplinary integration, I found ABE’s collaborative community and professional development opportunities invaluable. My engagement has grown over the years, culminating in leadership roles as Vice Chair (2024–2025) and Chair (2025–2026) of the Professional Development Committee, where I help shape initiatives that support fellow educators and promote excellence in teaching.

Looking at your time with the association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you looking forward to?

During my time with the Association of Biochemistry Educators (ABE), what I’ve most enjoyed is the opportunity to collaborate with a passionate community of educators committed to advancing biochemistry instruction in health professions. I’ve also found great fulfillment in contributing to the development of the Clinical Biochemistry Thread Mapping Tool, a multi-institutional project that exemplifies the power of collaborative curriculum design. Presenting our work at ABE’s annual meetings and receiving feedback from peers has been both energizing and affirming.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building cross-institutional partnerships that support curricular integration and faculty advancement. I’m particularly looking forward to expanding ABE’s professional development offerings and helping launch adaptable educational resources that can be implemented across diverse institutional contexts.

Tell us more about your ABE conference contributions. If you aren't presenting, what are you most excited about engaging in?

At ABE conferences, I’ve had the privilege of contributing through multiple formats—oral presentations, interactive workshops, and poster sessions. Most recently, I led an EDGES oral session on strategies for enhancing biochemistry integration and retention in preclinical medical education and co-presented a workshop on faculty advancement and mentorship. I was also part of the group that showcased Clinical Biochemistry Thread Mapping Tool, a collaborative curricular resource developed with educators across institutions, which has received enthusiastic feedback. Additionally, I presented posters titled “Connecting the dots: Structuring Biochemistry concepts for improved integration and retention in medical education and Community perspectives on nutrition education to physicians,” which highlighted curricular integration initiatives at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

When I’m not presenting, I’m most excited about engaging in peer-led workshops and roundtables that explore innovative teaching strategies and curriculum design. I particularly value the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues who are navigating similar challenges in integrating foundational sciences with clinical relevance. These sessions often spark new collaborations and inspire practical improvements I can bring back to my own institution.

If people would like to follow you on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc), what are your handles?

www.linkedin.com/in/sireesha-mamillapalli-ph-d-3836aaa1

What interesting things are you working on outside of the association right now? Research, presentations, hobbies, etc.

Outside of my involvement with ABE, I’m actively engaged in several research and educational initiatives at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. I’m currently collaborating on a project titled “Nutriments”, which focuses on integrating nutrition education into the clinical presentation framework of our Total Health Curriculum.

I’m also the Principal Investigator on a biochemistry content mapping project aimed at enhancing curricular integration and supporting interdisciplinary alignment across our MD curriculum.

In addition to research, I serve as an academic advisor and mentor for graduate and medical students, guiding them through research projects, including qualitative assessments of nutrition education and community-informed curriculum design.

Outside of academia, I enjoy spending time with my family especially with my young child, who taught me a great deal about adaptability and balance—skills that continue to enrich my professional life.