Home > About > Faculty Profiles > Erin M. Perchiniak, Ph.D.

Erin M. Perchiniak, Ph.D.

Erin M. Perchiniak

Associate Professor
1200 N. Dupont Hwy, Mishoe Science Center, Room 150
eperchiniak [at] desu.edu

Education

  • B.A., Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, 2000
  • Ph.D., Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005
  • Postdoctoral training: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cell Biologist (p53 and apoptosis), 2007; The Ohio State University, Cell Biologist (APC and apoptosis), 2010

Research Interests

My research interests have centered on how cellular changes in signaling pathways can contribute to carcinogenesis. Recently, I have been investigating how polymorphic variants in p53, which vary in certain populations, can lead to differences in cellular responses to certain drug treatments. Additionally, I am interested in developing new avenues for undergraduates to participate in experiential learning opportunities that will train them for the workforce.

Research Expertise

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Mentoring, Teaching
  • Curriculum & Course Design
  • Project Management
  • Team Building

Consultation Expertise

My training was as a pharmacologist and cellular biologist, specifically in the area of cancer. In the last several years, I have largely focused on teaching, course and curriculum design in biology, and assessment. I have expanded this to include grant writing and program development to build a pipeline of experiential opportunities for undergraduate students in biology.

Selected Publications

  • Erin Perchiniak, Sharron Xuanren Wang, and Hakeem O. Lawal. An All-HBCU REU: Leveraging the strengths of a minority-serving institution to build inclusive research excellence. (In preparation) 

  • Fees, J., Perchiniak, E., & Silver, A. (2026). Integrating Experiential Learning into Course Curricula through Faculty Training: A Case Study. Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 9(1 - March). https://doi.org/10.46787/elthe.v9.3785 

  • Robin Casten, Megan Kelley, Hakeem Lawal, Bernard L. Lopez, Susan Parks, Erin Perchiniak, Barry Rovner. Inspiring Undergraduate Student Training in Alzheimer’s Research (USTAR): Training the Next Generation of Aging Scientists. First published: 15 February 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19400 

  • Joseph Fees and Erin M. Perchiniak. Assessing Experiential Learning at an HBCU. Intersection: A journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning. AALHE Conference Proceedings 2022-2023, Volume 4 Issue 3.  

  • Erin M. Perchiniak, Joseph Fees, and Alexa Silver.  Promoting Student Success and DE&I in Experiential Education at an HBCU: STEM Lab Internship Programs. Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Accepted August 2023. 

Grants

  • NSF: HBCU-UP Targeted Infusion Project: Workforce training and curriculum development initiatives for biology undergraduates to promote career preparedness at Delaware State University. Funded: Awarded- Start 8/1/25-7/31/28, Role: PI, $393,501 

  • NSF: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Track 1 at Delaware State University. Funded: Awarded- Start 8/15/25-8/14/30, Role: Co-PI, $749,968 

  • NSF: REU Site: Inclusive and collaborative approach to cellular and molecular biology for undergraduate researchers at Delaware State University NSF 22-601. Funded: 2024- current, Role: Co-PI, $445,704 

  • NIH: RCMI IHER Pilot Grant: “Elucidating the mechanism of altered sensitivity of African-centric p53 hypomorphic variants to MEK inhibitors.” Funded: Fall 2023 - current, Role: PI, $100,000

  • RCMI IHER Minigrant: “Enriching undergraduate health and basic science research internship programs through the incorporation of community engagement.” Funded: 2025-2026, Role: PI, $5,000

  • NIH: NIGMS: Delaware INBRE Mentored CURE (P20 GM103446), 2019-2020, Role: PI, $25,000

Honors and Awards

  • Excellence in Teaching- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University 2026 
  • Recognition of Excellence in Teaching, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Delaware State University 2025 
  • Faculty Excellence in Teaching- Delaware State University 2024 
  • Elected Vice Chair Faculty Senate (May 2024, reelected May 2026)