Amit Kumar Singh | Cancer Biology | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Amit Kumar Singh | Cancer Biology | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Amit Kumar Singh is a passionate cancer researcher currently serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NIH), where he is part of the Cancer Innovation Laboratory. With deep expertise in molecular immunology, cancer biology, and host–microbiota interactions, Dr. Singh investigates the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, particularly in epithelial cancers. He holds a Ph.D. in Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to the scientific community through his research on Toll-like receptors, somatic hypermutation, and cytokine signaling pathways. He has also mentored students and judged numerous academic poster sessions. Dr. Singh’s impactful work is reflected in multiple national and international awards, certifications, and his active participation in conferences such as AACR. Through innovative modeling using skin organoids and multi-omics techniques, he continues to explore the immunological crosstalk that shapes cancer progression and potential therapeutic avenues.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education 

Dr. Singh’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, followed by a Master’s in Biotechnology from the same institution, where he graduated with a gold medal. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, where his research focused on the role of splicing regulators (SRSF1-3) and nucleosome positioning in AID-mediated somatic hypermutation. His academic training has provided him with a robust foundation in molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and epigenetics. Prior to his doctoral studies, he also undertook early research training as a project trainee and master’s student, which sharpened his scientific curiosity and skills in experimental biology. Throughout his education, Dr. Singh has demonstrated academic excellence, research innovation, and a commitment to scientific inquiry, earning numerous fellowships, certifications, and recognition for his research contributions.

🧪 Experience 

Dr. Amit Kumar Singh has rich and diverse research experience spanning over a decade. He is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at NIH’s National Cancer Institute, where he explores the impact of TLR4 signaling and microbiota on skin tumorigenesis. Previously, he served as a Ph.D. scholar at IIT Indore, where he uncovered the roles of splicing factors and chromatin architecture in antibody gene diversification. As a Junior Research Fellow at NCCS Pune, he worked on chemokine receptors in autoimmune disease, gaining expertise in inflammation and immune regulation. He has also mentored interns and Master’s students and contributed to teaching at NIH and IIT. His technical repertoire includes molecular biology, flow cytometry, RNA-seq, organoid culture, and murine models. This experience equips him to conduct translational cancer research and foster scientific collaboration across domains like cancer biology, immunology, and host-pathogen interactions.

🏅 Awards & Honors 

Dr. Singh has received over 20 awards, certifications, and honors throughout his academic and professional career. He was recently recognized with the FARE Award 2026 for his collaborative work on TLR4 deficiency in carcinogenesis. In 2025, he was honored for best poster presentation at the Spring Research Festival and served as a judge for multiple NIH scientific events. He has also earned certifications in generative AI, machine learning, and project management. Earlier, he received the DST-INSPIRE Fellowship (both JRF and SRF) from India’s Department of Science and Technology. He was awarded the Gold Medal for securing the top rank in his MSc program. Dr. Singh also won travel and poster awards at prominent symposia including the Society of Biological Chemists’ meeting and AACR conferences. His dedication to research and outreach has been repeatedly recognized by professional societies, academic institutions, and international organizations.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Amit Kumar Singh’s research centers on host–microbiota–immune interactions in cancer, particularly in epithelial tissues such as skin. His ongoing work at NIH focuses on the tumor-suppressive role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in skin cancer using genetically modified mouse models and 3D skin organoid cultures. He investigates how dysbiosis and innate immune signaling influence DNA damage, cytokine responses, and lipid metabolism in tumor development. His Ph.D. research elucidated the transcriptional and chromatin-level control of somatic hypermutation by splicing regulators and nucleosome positioning in immunoglobulin genes. Additionally, his earlier work explored chemokine receptor targeting in inflammatory and autoimmune models. Across these domains, Dr. Singh employs cutting-edge tools including NGS, ATAC-seq, scRNA-seq, ChIP assays, and microbiome profiling. His integrative and translational approach aims to decode the immune microenvironment and develop novel therapeutic targets for cancer and immune disorders.

 Conclusion

Dr. Zhang Zhifeng is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His body of work demonstrates a strong balance between theoretical modeling, engineering application, and innovation. His achievements in industrial automation, intelligent disassembly design, and digital manufacturing systems, backed by multiple patents and government-recognized awards, position him as a leader in advanced manufacturing research. With further global engagement and academic leadership, Dr. Zhang is poised to make even greater contributions to the field and society.

📝Publications 

Title: Phenotypic and functional plasticity of gamma–delta (γδ) T cells in inflammation and tolerance
Year: 2014
Authors: S Paul, AK Singh, Shilpi, G Lal
Journal: International Reviews of Immunology, 33 (6), 537–558
Citations: 101

Title: IL-10 from marginal zone precursor B cells controls the differentiation of Th17, Tfh and Tfr cells in transplantation tolerance
Year: 2016
Authors: G Lal, N Kulkarni, Y Nakayama, AK Singh, A Sethi, BE Burrell, …
Journal: Immunology Letters, 170, 52–63
Citations: 71

Title: Interleukin-10 from marginal zone precursor B-cell subset is required for costimulatory blockade-induced transplantation tolerance
Year: 2015
Authors: G Lal, Y Nakayama, A Sethi, AK Singh, BE Burrell, N Kulkarni, …
Journal: Transplantation, 99 (9), 1817–1828
Citations: 58

Title: Direct evidence of intrinsic blue fluorescence from oligomeric interfaces of human serum albumin
Year: 2017
Authors: A Bhattacharya, S Bhowmik, AK Singh, P Kodgire, AK Das, TK Mukherjee
Journal: Langmuir, 33 (40), 10606–10615
Citations: 46

Title: AID Biology: A pathological and clinical perspective
Year: 2018
Authors: M Choudhary, A Tamrakar, AK Singh, M Jain, A Jaiswal, P Kodgire
Journal: International Reviews of Immunology, 37 (1), 37–56
Citations: 27

Title: Splicing regulator SRSF1-3 that controls somatic hypermutation of IgV genes interacts with topoisomerase 1 and AID
Year: 2019
Authors: AK Singh, A Tamrakar, A Jaiswal, N Kanayama, A Agarwal, P Tripathi, …
Journal: Molecular Immunology, 116, 63–72
Citations: 15

Title: SRSF1-3, a splicing and somatic hypermutation regulator, controls transcription of IgV genes via chromatin regulators SATB2, UBN1 and histone variant H3.3
Year: 2020
Authors: AK Singh, A Tamrakar, A Jaiswal, N Kanayama, P Kodgire
Journal: Molecular Immunology, 119, 69–82
Citations: 10

Title: Fighting with Gram-negative enemy: Can outer membrane proteins aid in the rescue
Year: 2017
Authors: A Tamrakar, A Singh, M Chodhrary, P Kodgire
Journal: Chemical Biology Letters, 4 (1), 9–19
Citations: 10

Title: A TNFR1–UBCH10 axis drives lung squamous cell carcinoma dedifferentiation and metastasis through a cell-autonomous signaling loop
Year: 2022
Authors: Z Xiao, G Shi, S Xi, AK Singh, J Willette-Brown, X Li, F Zhu, L Su, X Wu, …
Journal: Cell Death & Disease, 13 (10), 885
Citations: 5

EVANKA MADAN | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr EVANKA MADAN | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr EVANKA MADAN, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, India

Dr. Evanka Madan is a distinguished Consultant and Assistant Professor at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India. With a robust background in biochemistry and molecular biology, she has achieved significant acclaim in her field. Her research spans drug discovery for parasitic diseases, focusing on Leishmania and malaria. Dr. Madan has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Young Scientist Fellowship by ICMR-DHR and the Best Young Researcher Award at the Science Conclave cum NBRCOM. She has also made substantial contributions through international collaborations, including research stints at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. Dr. Madan’s work has been featured in prominent journals, reflecting her commitment to advancing biomedical research and therapy.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Research Excellence: Dr. Madan’s research has significantly advanced our understanding of diseases like Leishmania and cardiovascular issues. Her work on identifying novel drug targets and mechanisms in infectious diseases and cancer demonstrates her high-impact research capabilities.
  2. Recognition and Awards: Dr. Madan has received numerous accolades, including the Young Scientist Fellowship from ICMR-DHR and several Best Paper and Poster Awards. This recognition underscores her contributions to the field and her potential for community impact.
  3. International Experience: Her research experience spans prestigious institutions globally, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and she has been involved in international conferences, enhancing her visibility and collaborative opportunities.
  4. Public Engagement: Dr. Madan has delivered public scientific lectures and talks at international conferences, demonstrating her commitment to communicating scientific knowledge to the broader community.
  5. Technical Proficiency: Her expertise in both molecular and computational biology equips her to address complex biological questions, further strengthening her research’s potential for community impact.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Community Outreach: While Dr. Madan’s research is highly specialized, further engagement with community-based projects and local health initiatives could amplify the direct benefits of her work to the general public.
  2. Application of Research Findings: Emphasizing how her research findings are translated into practical applications or interventions that directly benefit community health would strengthen her candidacy. Demonstrating more concrete examples of her research’s impact on public health policies or local health practices could be beneficial.
  3. Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Expanding collaborations beyond her immediate field could offer new perspectives and enhance the applicability of her research findings. Collaborations with social scientists or public health experts might enhance the community relevance of her work.

Education

Dr. Evanka Madan earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in 2015. She completed her MSc in Medical Biotechnology from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, in 2010, where she was the top-ranked student. Her undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences were completed at Sri Venkateshwara College, Delhi University, in 2008, securing third position. Her academic foundation is further supported by her early education at Delhi Public School, where she excelled in the CBSE curriculum.

Experience

Dr. Madan has extensive experience in biochemistry and molecular biology. As a Senior Scientist at Dhiti Life Sciences, she focused on recombinant antigens and monoclonal antibodies. Her role as a CSIR Scientist Pool Officer at Jawaharlal Nehru University involved investigating druggable targets in Leishmania. Previous roles include a Postdoctoral Fellowship at JNU, Research Associate positions at NII and IGIB, and a PhD tenure at AIIMS. Her research encompasses host-pathogen interactions, molecular characterization, and drug discovery, underscoring her expertise in parasitology and cancer biology.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Madan’s accolades include the prestigious Young Scientist Fellowship by ICMR-DHR (2021-24) and the Best Young Researcher Award at the Science Conclave cum NBRCOM, 2023. She has received multiple best presentation and poster awards at international conferences, such as the ICID Conference in Sydney and the National Congress of Parasitology. Additionally, she has been honored with travel grants from CSIR, ICMR, and DST for global conferences, highlighting her contributions to research and science communication.

Research Focus

Dr. Madan’s research primarily focuses on parasitic diseases, particularly Leishmania and malaria. Her work involves the molecular characterization of pathogen-host interactions, drug target identification, and pre-clinical evaluations. Recent studies explore the role of sphingosine kinase in Leishmania and the impact of arginine sensing in host-pathogen dynamics. Dr. Madan’s research also extends to cancer biology, with investigations into the FAT1 gene’s role in glioma and its influence on tumor biology and inflammation.

Publication Top Notes

Identification of a De Novo Peptide against Palmitoyl Acyltransferase 6 to Block Survivability and Infectivity of Leishmania donovani 🦠🔬

Screening of Traditional Medicinal Plant Extracts and Compounds Identifies a Potent Anti-Leishmanial Diarylheptanoid from Siphonochilus aethiopicus 🌿🦠

Targeting an Essential Plasmodium Cold Shock Protein to Block Growth and Transmission of Malaria Parasite 🦠💉

Cuscuta reflexa Possess Potent Inhibitory Activity Against Human Malaria Parasite: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study 🌿🦠

Host-Erythrocytic Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulates Plasmodium Histone Deacetylase Activity and Exhibits Epigenetic Control over Cell Death and Differentiation 🦠🧬

Rapid Diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Using a Point-of-Care Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Device 🦠🔬

Host SUMOylation Pathway Negatively Regulates Protective Immune Responses and Promotes Leishmania donovani Survival 🦠🔬

Chromatin-Remodeling Factor BRG1 Is a Negative Modulator of L. donovani in IFNγ Stimulated and Infected THP-1 Cells 🦠🔬

Conclusion

Dr. Evanka Madan’s extensive research achievements, recognition in the field, and international experience position her as a strong candidate for the Research for Community Impact Award. Her work addresses critical health issues, and her expertise has the potential to significantly benefit community health. By enhancing her focus on community engagement and translating research into practical health solutions, she could further strengthen her impact. Overall, Dr. Madan’s contributions make her a commendable candidate for this award.