Pankaj Kumar | Cancer and Autoimmunity | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Pankaj Kumar | Cancer and Autoimmunity | Best Researcher Award 

Postdoc, at Ohio State University, Columbus, United States.

Dr. Pankaj Kumar is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the Ohio State University, specializing in molecular and cancer biology. With a passion for studying the DNA-damage response and multidrug resistance in cancer, his research explores the molecular mechanisms driving cancer metastasis, immunotherapy, and stem cell biology. Dr. Kumar holds a Ph.D. from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, where he explored the role of Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) in drug-resistant cancer cells. His work spans the fields of cancer biology, hepatocellular carcinoma, and lupus nephritis. His notable contributions to cancer research and immunology have earned him multiple prestigious awards and grants. 🧬🌍

Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Pankaj Kumar’s academic journey reflects a solid foundation in molecular and cancer biology. He earned his Ph.D. (2014-2021) in Molecular and Cancer Biology from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India, where his thesis focused on the role of Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) in drug-resistant cancer cells. Prior to this, Dr. Kumar completed his M.S. in Biotechnology (2011-2013) from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, India. His undergraduate education began at Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, India, where he received his B.S. in Biotechnology (2008-2011). His robust academic background laid the foundation for his deep dive into cancer biology, drug resistance, and immunology. 🎓📚

Experience

Dr. Pankaj Kumar’s research experience spans across various prestigious institutions. Since February 2021, he has been a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Ohio State University, Columbus, USA, focusing on cancer biology and immunotherapy. Before this, from August 2014 to October 2021, he was a Research Fellow (Ph.D. Scholar) at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India, working under Dr. A. S. Sreedhar’s group. His expertise includes molecular pathways, tumor metastasis, and cancer immunotherapy. His research on drug resistance mechanisms has made significant contributions to cancer treatment advancements, making him a valuable asset to the field of molecular biology and cancer research. 🧪🔬

Research Interests

Dr. Kumar’s research spans multiple areas of cancer biology and immunotherapy, with a primary focus on the DNA-damage response, tumor metastasis, and multidrug resistance in cancer. His interests include the molecular basis of cancer progression, cancer immunotherapy, and stem cell biology. Additionally, he has explored the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), lupus nephritis, hepatocellular carcinoma, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dr. Kumar’s dedication to understanding cancer resistance mechanisms offers crucial insights into the development of new therapeutic approaches for treating aggressive and drug-resistant cancers. 🔬🧠

Awards

Dr. Pankaj Kumar has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2019, he was awarded the Keystone Symposia Travel Award to attend the “Cancer Stem Cells” symposium in Hong Kong. He also received the Carl Storm International Diversity Fellowship from the Gordon Research Conference in 2018, which enabled him to attend the “GRC-Drug Resistance” event at Bryant University, USA. In addition, he was granted an International Travel Award from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2018. His academic accolades include securing the CSIR-NET Junior/Senior Research Fellowship in 2015 and the DBT-JRF Junior Research Fellowship in 2014. 🏆🌟

Publications

Dr. Kumar has published extensively in renowned peer-reviewed journals. Some of his key publications include:

  • Kumar P, Devaki B, Jonnala UK, et al. Hsp90 facilitates acquired drug resistance of tumor cells through cholesterol modulation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2020 Aug;1867(8):118728. DOI
  • Kumar P, Siripini S, Sreedhar AS. The matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) links Hsp90 chaperone with acquired drug resistance and tumor metastasis. Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2020 Aug; DOI
  • Vykuntham NG, Kumar P, et al. Altered molecular pathways in breast cancer cells treated with Hsp90 inhibitors. Toxicol In Vitro. 2020 Jun; DOI
  • Hong Z, Kumar P, et al. Targeting squalene epoxidase enhances radiotherapy efficacy. Cancer Res. 2022 Apr; DOI
  • Kumar P, Schroder EA, Rajaram MVS, et al. The Battle of LPS Clearance in Host Defense. Cells. 2024; DOI

Conclusion

Dr. Pankaj Kumar is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to his significant contributions to cancer biology and molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance. His postdoctoral research, technical expertise, and numerous awards showcase his research excellence. With further diversification into immunology and greater international recognition, he would be an even more formidable candidate. Nevertheless, his current achievements alone make him highly deserving of consideration.

 

Sihe Zhang | drug delivery | Best Scholar Award

Prof . Sihe Zhang | drug delivery | Best Scholar Award 

Director , Nankai University , China

Si-he Zhang is a tenured full professor at Nankai University’s School of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology. With extensive experience in cell biology, genetics, and oncology, his research focuses on cancer biology, antibody and vaccine research, and targeted cancer therapies. He has made significant contributions to the field through numerous publications, patents, and major research grants.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Experience: Si-he Zhang has over two decades of research experience in cell biology, genetics, and cancer research. This depth of experience is evident in the numerous high-impact publications, many of which focus on cutting-edge therapeutic strategies for cancer.
  2. Notable Awards and Recognitions: Zhang has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the National Prize for Progress in Science & Technology in China and the Gold Award for Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention, which underscore his contributions to scientific advancement.
  3. Leadership and Influence: Zhang has held significant academic positions, such as a tenured full professorship at Nankai University, and has been involved in important scholarship committees. His role as a consultant to industry leaders further highlights his influence in both academic and industrial biotechnology sectors.
  4. Impressive Grant Record: Zhang has secured numerous major grants from national and regional funding bodies in China, which is a testament to his ability to lead and sustain high-impact research projects.
  5. Innovative Research Contributions: Zhang’s research has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies and technologies, including hypoxia-activated antibodies for cancer treatment and suicide gene delivery methods for ovarian cancer therapy. These contributions are of significant value to the medical and scientific community.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Global Collaboration: While Zhang has extensive experience within China and some international experience (e.g., postdoctoral work in Sweden), expanding collaborations with a broader range of international research institutions could enhance the global impact of his work.
  2. Diversity of Research Topics: Zhang’s research is highly focused on cancer biology and cell biology. Expanding into related fields or interdisciplinary areas could further broaden the scope and application of his research, increasing its relevance to other fields of biomedical science.
  3. Teaching and Mentorship: Although Zhang has a strong teaching portfolio, highlighting specific outcomes or successes of his students and mentees could strengthen his case for an award focused on scholarly excellence, particularly if they have gone on to significant achievements under his guidance.

    Education

    • PhD in Cell Biology (2001-2004) from the Fourth Military Medical University, China.
    • M.A. in Genetics (1996-1998) from Jilin University, China.
    • B.S. in Genetics (1991-1995) from Northwest A&F University, China.

    Experience

    • Tenured Full Professor at Nankai University (2020-present).
    • Tenured Associate Professor at Nankai University (2012-2019).
    • Postdoctoral Scientist at Lund University Hospital, Sweden (2006-2009).
    • Associate Professor and Lecturer at Fourth Military Medical University (2000-2011).
    • Teaching Assistant at Fourth Military Medical University (1998-2000).

    Research Interests

    Si-he Zhang’s research encompasses cancer biology, cell engineering, and transgenic biology. He focuses on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, including antibody-based therapies and targeted drug delivery systems.

    Awards

    • Gold Award for Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention (2010), WIPO-SIPO.
    • National Prize for Progress in Science & Technology (2005), China.

    Publications

    1. Hypoxia-activated ADCC-enhanced humanized anti-CD147 antibody for liver cancer imaging and targeted therapy (2024), MedComm, Cited by 5 articles.
    2. Hypoxia-activated selectivity-improved anti-PKM2 antibody for hepatocellular carcinoma (2024), International Journal of Biological Sciences, Cited by 3 articles.
    3. Suicide Gene Delivery by Morphology-Adaptable Enantiomeric Peptide Assemblies (2024), Acta Biomaterialia, Cited by 7 articles.
    4. Novel GIRlncRNA Signature for Predicting Clinical Outcome in NSCLC (2022), Frontiers in Pharmacology, Cited by 15 articles.
    5. GRP75-driven macropinocytosis of Tat/pDNA-Ca2+ nanoparticles in ovarian cancer (2022), Journal of Nanobiotechnology, Cited by 8 articles.

      Conclusion

      Si-he Zhang is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Scholar Award, with a robust record of research, significant contributions to cancer therapy, and notable academic leadership. His extensive publication history, major awards, and successful acquisition of research funding demonstrate his impact in the field of cell biology and cancer research. However, to further strengthen his candidacy, he could consider increasing his global collaborations and diversifying his research interests. Overall, Zhang’s accomplishments make him a strong contender for the award, reflecting his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and medical innovation.