Semester In India Program

Our Team

IISAC has assembled a team of education professionals with international education and travel experience. Team members work together to ensure a safe, fun, and educational experience for all students. Each plays an integral role in student's experience, from academic advising to organizing cultural immersion activities.

Bios

Prof. SUNNY LUKE

CHAIRMAN, International Institute for Scientific and Academic collaboration (IISAC), Honiss Place, New York,  New Jersey  07104

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, Semester in India Program, India,       www.semesterinindia.org

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A founding member of IISAC, Sunny has dedicated his life in educating and enriching students around the world. Starting his career as a high school teacher in Nigeria, Sunny developed a knack for inspiring students to achieve.

He was an Adjunct Graduate Professor teaching graduate level courses in medical biotechnology at Adelphi University, NewYork. From 1994-2008 he has taught varied graduate level courses in Stem Cell Biology, Medical Genetics, Cancer Biology, Pathobiology, Human Genome, IVF & Reproductive Technology and Molecular Medicine. Sunny has published more than 60 research papers in biomedicine (Tissue engineering, Medical genetics and Oncology). He also served as a mentor to students where they have won prestigious scientific awards such as the Intel Science and International Science Fairs. He is heavily involved in education reform where he conducts symposiums and professional development seminars both in USA and India. Sunny is young at heart and continually inspires students from all walks of life.

He joined the Ortec International located at Columbia University School of Medicine in 1998 and worked as a Lead Scientist in tissue engineering (R&D) after 10 years of research in medical Genetics, Oncology and Molecular Pathology. He co-developed a bio-engineered skin “OrCel” for treating burn injuries, diabetic and venous ulcers as well as genetic skin disorder, Epidermolysis Bullosa. In addition to his developmental and efficacy research with “OrCel”, he was also involved in the early phases of Pre-clinical research in producing injectable cartilage and bone using human mesenchymal stem cells.

Prior to joining Ortec, Sunny was the Associate Director of Pathology Research and Medical Genetics at Maimonides Medical Center, an affiliate of the state university of New York. During that period, his research focused on the abnormalities of chromosomes and genes in birth defects, genetic diseases, and human cancer. He also used DNA and chromosomes as evolutionary markers in tracing the origin of humans and identifying various primate models for human diseases. He was the recipient of several research grants including NIH for $600,000 from U.S government in 1998 to study the genetic effect of HIV drugs in developing fetus.

Sunny benefited tremendously from international education by receiving graduate education from Kerala University, Kariyavattam (India), Adelphi University (U.S.A), University of Toledo (USA), Somerset University (UK) and Institute of Biology (U.K.). In addition to his graduate studies he also received clinical training in medical genetics and cancer biology from Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), MD and Long Island College Hospital of State University of New York.

In all his research laboratories, he developed a “Research Scholar Program” for talented high school and college students to provide inroad into Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine through internships. His research students have received several state, national and international research awards. Currently, he is the chairman of International Institute for Scientific and Academic collaboration based in New Jersey, which concentrates on youth enrichment; study abroad, international internships, professional development, faculty exchange, collaborative research and educational consultation.

Alex Koshy
Administration Director, Semester in India Program

Alex Koshy, a co-founder of IISAC, obtained his undergraduate Engineering degree from the National Institute of Techology, Warangal , India and graduate degree in Business Management from Cochin University of Science & Technolgy, India . A professional holding senior positions in private and government sector organizations in India and now in U.S., Alex has proved himself successful as an administrator with the Semester in India Program.

Alex the Administration Director for the program providing logistical support internally and for all enrolled students.

Sanoop Luke
Director of Indian Experience

As one of the co-founders of IISAC, Sanoop has been involved in the Semester in India Program since its inception. As Director of Indian Experience,  he interacts with the study abroad students before they depart for India , guiding their expectations of the country and answering life's most important questions (' How hot does it get there ?'). Outside of IISAC, Sanoop is Manager of Business Development for Turner Broadcasting (CNN, Cartoon Network,  TNT, etc.), where he develops and executes Turner India's growth strategy in film and television. Sanoop has a B.A. in Economics from Emory University.