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

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.