Ms. Poonam Kumari | Tumor biology | Young Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellow, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

The researcher is a dedicated scientist with a strong background in life sciences, specializing in epigenetics and tumor biology. Currently, they are pursuing a postdoctoral research fellowship at PGIMER, Chandigarh, focusing on epigenetics related to type 2 diabetes and wound healing. Their academic journey includes completing a Ph.D. in Life Sciences from PGIMER, where they studied the epigenetics of parathyroid tumors. With a strong academic foundation and research experience, they have garnered several awards and recognitions for their work.

Professional Profile

scholar

Education 🎓

– *BSc (Hons) Zoology*, Punjab University, Chandigarh, 2016 (78.5%)- *MSc (Hons) Zoology*, Punjab University, Chandigarh, 2018 (80.9%)- Ph.D. in Life Sciences, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 2019-2024 (submitted, VIVA-VOCE awaited)- *Postdoctoral Research Fellow*, PGIMER and IISER, 2024-till date

Experience 💼

– *Junior Research Fellow*, Dept. of Paediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 2018-2019- *CSIR-JRF*, Dept. of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 2019-2021- *CSIR-SRF*, Dept. of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 2021-2024- *Postdoctoral Research Fellow*, Dept. of Endocrinology, PGIMER, and Dept. of Biological Sciences, IISER, 2024-till date

Awards and Honors 🏆

– *CSIR-UGC JRF*, UGC, 2018- *GATE Life Sciences*, GATE, 2018- *Third Prize in Oral Presentation*, ISBMR, 2020- *Second Prize in Oral Presentation*, ISBMR, 2022 and 2024- *Early Career Travel Award*, ENDO USA, 2023- *Young Investigator Award*, ENDO USA, 2023- *Travel Awards*, DST-SERB and DBT, 2023 and 2024

Research Focus 🔬

The researcher’s primary focus lies in epigenetics, particularly in understanding the role of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) target genes in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Currently, they are working on epigenetics related to type 2 diabetes and wound healing, exploring the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications. Their research aims to contribute significantly to the field of life sciences and medicine.

Publications 📚

1. Genetics of severe combined immunodeficiency 🧬 – R Kumrah, P Vignesh, P Patra, A Singh, G Anjani, P Saini, M Sharma, … Genes & diseases 7 (1), 52-61, 2020
2. Progressive rise in the prevalence of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism in India 📈 – AK Arya, P Kumari, SK Bhadada, K Agrawal, P Singh, S Mukherjee, … Journal of bone and mineral metabolism 39, 253-259, 2021
3. A detailed appraisal of renal manifestations in primary hyperparathyroidism from Indian PHPT registry 🥛 – K Agrawal, AK Arya, A Sood, P Kumari, P Singh, M Sapara, A Rastogi, … Clinical Endocrinology 94 (3), 371-376, 2021
4. Large parathyroid adenomas: potential mechanisms to reconcile adenoma size and disease phenotype 🔬 – A Bhan, S Athimulam, P Kumari, R Pal, SK Bhadada, BC Cook, S Qiu, … Frontiers in endocrinology 14, 1009516, 2023
5. Comparison of profile of primary hyperparathyroidism with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus 📊 – P Kumari, AK Arya, R Pal, A Sood, D Dahiya, S Mukherjee, A Rastogi, … Endocrine Practice 28 (1), 96-101, 2022
6. Differences in primary hyperparathyroidism between pre-and postmenopausal women in India 👩‍⚕️ – AK Arya, SK Bhadada, P Kumari, K Agrawal, S Mukhopadhyay, D Sarma, … Endocrine Practice 27 (7), 710-715, 2021
7. Baseline renal dysfunction determines mortality following parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism 💊 – L Das, SK Bhadada, SM Arvindbhai, D Dahiya, A Behera, P Dutta, … Journal of bone and mineral metabolism, 1-11, 2021
8. Cystic parathyroid adenomas: An enigmatic entity and role of Tc-99 m sestamibi scintigraphy 🔍 – VS Krishnaraju, …

Conclusion

The candidate is an excellent young researcher with a strong academic background, extensive research experience, and a good publication record. Their awards and recognition demonstrate their potential and contributions to the field. With some further development in publication record, independence, and international exposure, the candidate would be an outstanding candidate for the Young Researcher Award. Overall, the candidate’s research experience, academic excellence, and awards make them a strong contender for this award.

Jiwaji University, Gwalior India

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits:

Divya Gupta began her academic journey with a strong foundation in science. She completed her 10th and 12th grades from ICSE and ISC Boards in Delhi, showcasing her dedication to a rigorous educational curriculum. Her interest in biology and biotechnology led her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, laying the groundwork for her specialization in the field. She continued her academic excellence by achieving a Gold Medal in Zoology during her Master's program. This early success marked the beginning of her distinguished academic career, setting the stage for her future contributions to the field.

Professional Endeavors:

With a solid educational background, Divya embarked on her Ph.D. journey in Zoology at the School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior. Her research focused on diverse areas, including endocrinology, reproductive biology, toxicology, pharmacology, histopathology, drug metabolism, nanotechnology, and statistics. This multidimensional approach reflects her versatility and commitment to exploring various facets of biological sciences. Her proficiency extends beyond academic pursuits, as evidenced by her skills in Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with hands-on experience in cell culture techniques, ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopic analysis, histological study, and bioinformatics.

Contributions and Research Focus:

As a DST INSPIRE Fellow, Divya Gupta has accumulated three years and two months of research experience. Her dedication is evident in her authored research papers (3), review articles (2), and contributions to four book chapters. Her expertise in diverse laboratory techniques, including ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, and spectroscopic analysis, highlights her practical contributions to the field of reproductive biology and toxicology. Her research focus spans critical areas such as endocrinology, reproductive biology, and drug metabolism. The intersection of these fields showcases her commitment to addressing complex biological questions with a comprehensive approach.

Accolades and Recognition:

Her academic achievements have been recognized through various accolades and awards. She was awarded the prestigious Dr. J. Bahadur Gold Medal in M.Sc. Zoology, attesting to her academic excellence. Furthermore, her research prowess earned her the M.P. Young Scientist Award in the Life Sciences discipline at the 38th M.P. Young Scientist Congress. A notable achievement includes securing the second position in a poster presentation at the International Conference on Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology (ICABB-2023). This recognition underscores her ability to communicate and disseminate her research findings on an international platform.

Impact and Influence:

Her contributions extend beyond research papers and awards. As a DST-INSPIRE Fellow, she actively participates in scientific communities, evident from her life memberships in ISCA (Indian Science Congress Association) and the Society of Toxicology, India. Her involvement reflects a commitment to collaborative scientific endeavors and staying updated with advancements in the field.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

With an already impressive academic and research portfolio, Divya Gupta's legacy lies in her multidimensional approach to biological sciences. Her commitment to learning new concepts and technologies, coupled with an open-minded and flexible problem-solving approach, positions her as a promising scientist.

Notable Publications