My formal educational training is in Molecular Biology. My major research focus is in Cancer Biology, especially in the field of anti-cancer drug resistance, a phenomenon responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. In this aspect I am primarily interested in breast cancer, since it is the most predominant cancer and a major cause of mortality in women worldwide. My ultimate goal is to provide a better quality of life for cancer patients and increase their overall life expectancy. I use various biochemical, cellular, molecular biology and omics tools in my lab. I am also keenly interested in teaching and mentoring students and research fellows.

Educational Qualifications

• 1995 B.Sc. chemistry Honours University of Calcutta, Kolkata
• 1997 M.Sc. Biochemistry (Specialized in Molecular Biology) University of Calcutta
• 2005 PhD Molecular Biology University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri, USA

Work Experience

• 08/05 07/07 Post-doctoral fellow, Division of Reproductive/Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
• 08/07 07/11 Post-doctoral fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
• 08/11 12/12 Research Instructor of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Teaching & Research Interests:

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women. Despite of tremendous advancement in breast cancer treatment, a significant number of lives are lost due to development of anti-cancer drug resistance. My primary research objective is to identify mechanisms of resistance to drugs that are either being used in clinic or under development for breast cancer patients. I use Cellular and Molecular Biology tools along with genomics, proteomics and metabolomics in in vitro and in vivo breast cancer model systems. I am also interested in studying the relationship between the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase oncogene and cancer stem cells in anti-cancer drug resistance. Another emerging area of interest is to identify the role of oxidative stress-associated metabolic reprogramming in aging and raging-related diseases such as cancer. The ultimate goal of my research is to identify diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for breast cancer patients that will help making therapeutic decisions and increase their life expectancy.

Awards(Selected):

• 1995 Topper in BSc Chemistry Honours (Vidayasagar College, University of Calcutta)
• 1997 Gold Medalist in MSc Biochemistry (University of Calcutta )
• 2009 Recipient of the Susan G Komen postdoctoral fellowship for Basic Cancer Research (2009-2012)
• 2014 Recipient of the Ramalingaswami Re-entry fellowship by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (2014-2019)
• 2017 Associate Editor of BMC Cancer (Translational Oncology section)
• 2008 Member of the American Association for Cancer Research
• 2016 Ad Hoc Reviewer of BMC Cancer
• 2018 Ad Hoc Reviewer of Oncotarget