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Laxmi Sagwan-Barkdoll

Dr. Laxmi Sagwan-Barkdoll, Assistant Professor of Practice

I earned my Ph.D. in Plant Biology with a specialization in Plant Biochemistry, focusing on molecular biology and protein biochemistry to investigate plant P450 enzymes and their potential for producing valuable compounds such as anticancer drugs.

I am deeply passionate about teaching science to students from diverse backgrounds, and throughout my career I have continually refined my teaching practice. While I have always aimed to foster an engaging learning environment, my approach has grown increasingly student‑centered over time. I regularly incorporate active learning strategies to promote deeper understanding, enhance motivation, and help students connect meaningfully with course material.

Beyond classroom instruction, I am committed to mentoring and professional development. I provide research training, academic advising, and guidance to support students in successfully completing their bachelor’s degrees in biology. I currently mentor a REACH student in my laboratory who is investigating the impact of mesophication on epiphytic organisms such as bryophytes.

Laxmi Plant biology Life Science II 355F
laxmi@siu.edu 

Education

  • PhD, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • MTech, University of Mumbai
  • BPharm, University of Mumbai

Courses

  • Human Genetics and Health (BIOL 202)
  • Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics (BIOL 211)
  • Developmental Biology (BIOL 409)
  • Advanced Developmental Biology (BIOL 509)
  • Senior Seminar in Biology (BIOL 485)

Publications

*undergraduate authors, +graduate authors

  • Sagwan-Barkdoll, L., Min-Jeong K., Berim, A., Gang, D. and Anterola, A (2025) Plant P450 forms Indigo and Indirubin when expressed in Escherichia coli. Phytochemistry, Jan;229:114268. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114268.
  • Sandquist E.J., Schofield B.J., Taylor K.H., Engel A.C., Liu J., Putzke A.P., Sagwan-Barkdoll L., Walsh S., Buchanan T.L., Barton L.F., Resendes K.K., and Wolyniak M.J. (2023). A community of practice for CURE development: The MIRIC (Mentoring the Integration of Research Into the Classroom) network. Journal of College Science Teaching, 1–8. doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2024.2373026.
  • Renzaglia, K. S., Duran, E*., Sagwan-Barkdoll, L., & Henry, J. Callose in leptoid cell walls of the moss Polytrichum and the evolution of callose synthase across bryophytes. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1357324. doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1357324.
  • Kayastha S+, Sagwan-Barkdoll, L, Anterola, A and Jayakody, L. (2021) Developing synthetic microbes to produce indirubin derivatives, 37, 102162. doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102162.
  • Sagwan-Barkdoll L, Anterola A (2018) Taxadiene-5αol is a minor product of CYP725A4 when expressed in Escherichia coli. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry 65:3, pp 294-305. doi.org/10.1002/bab.1606.