Amit Kumar Singh | Cancer Biology | Young Scientist Award

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

Mengrong Li | Cancer Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Mengrong Li | Cancer Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Tianjin cancer hospital airport hospital (Tianjin, China), China

Mengrong Li is a dedicated Pharmacist at Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital in China, holding a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Analysis from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. With over six years of research experience, her work lies at the intersection of analytical pharmacology and clinical oncology. She specializes in drug metabolism, blood drug concentration analysis, and the development of quality standards for pharmaceutical preparations. Having published five SCI-indexed journal articles and contributed to ten patents (seven granted, three pending), her contributions reflect a strong commitment to innovation in therapeutic drug monitoring. Mengrong has also participated in major national research collaborations, including a Beijing Municipal “Epidemic Prevention and Control” project and studies funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Her work not only enhances personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients but also elevates the national drug standardization framework. She is emerging as a promising researcher in cancer pharmacology.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Mengrong Li completed her Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Analysis at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where she specialized in drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and quality control techniques. Her academic foundation combines both traditional and modern pharmaceutical sciences, with a focus on bridging clinical application and analytical research. Professionally, she has worked for six years in a clinical research setting at Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, where she currently serves as a Pharmacist. Her responsibilities include developing blood concentration detection methods and interpreting data to predict therapeutic efficacy and adverse reactions. As a principal investigator, she has led formulation research under government-funded epidemic control projects and taken part in key collaborations funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Her profile reflects a blend of hands-on pharmaceutical practice and deep research insight, making her a significant contributor to China’s efforts in cancer therapy and drug quality assurance.

💼 Experience

Currently working as a Pharmacist at Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Mengrong Li has accumulated six years of interdisciplinary experience in pharmaceutical research and clinical application. Her core responsibilities involve the development and validation of drug concentration assays used to monitor patient responses and optimize dosage in cancer treatments. She has also played a significant role in the formulation and quality control of traditional medicine preparations, two of which were recognized as Chinese national standards. Mengrong has completed one major project and is currently involved in two ongoing research studies, including collaborations under the National Natural Science Foundation and the Beijing Science and Technology Commission. Her patent contributions and publications underscore her ability to translate laboratory innovations into practical tools for clinical practice. Additionally, her mentorship of students reflects her dedication to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Her holistic experience covers research, clinical diagnostics, product development, and regulatory compliance.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Mengrong Li has made impactful contributions to cancer pharmacology and pharmaceutical analysis, earning recognition through multiple patents and peer-reviewed publications. Among her most notable achievements are ten patents (seven granted and three pending), many of which stemmed from her original research in drug quality control and therapeutic drug monitoring. She has published five SCI-indexed articles and received a total of 80 citations, with an h-index of 3. Her research work contributed to the national standardization of two formula particle preparations for traditional medicine, showcasing her influence in policy-level pharmaceutical development. She has participated as the principal investigator in projects funded by major scientific bodies such as the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. These achievements, along with her active involvement in three major research projects and student mentorship, reflect a deep and consistent record of excellence and innovation in healthcare and science.

🔬 Research Focus

Mengrong Li’s research centers on analytical method development for drug quality control and therapeutic drug monitoring, with a special emphasis on cancer pharmacology. Her work bridges laboratory and clinical settings, aiming to ensure optimal medication dosing and minimize adverse effects in oncology patients. She has developed blood drug concentration detection protocols and studied their correlation with therapeutic outcomes. A key focus of her research has been on the pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicines and modern chemotherapeutic agents. Mengrong’s research has led to the establishment of two national pharmaceutical standards and contributed to the formulation of institutional drugs during public health emergencies. Her contributions also include eight patent applications and the publication of SCI-indexed papers addressing cancer drug metabolism and dose optimization. By integrating analytical pharmacology and clinical needs, her work supports the personalization of cancer treatment, aligning with global trends toward precision medicine.

✅ Conclusion

Mengrong Li is a highly promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her integrated approach to pharmaceutical analysis and cancer pharmacology, backed by patents and policy-level contributions, underscores her potential as a translational researcher. With expanded international engagement and academic leadership, she is well-positioned to become a key innovator in precision medicine and pharmacological research.

Publication

Title: In-syringe polypropylene fiber-supported liquid-phase microextraction followed by LC-MS/MS for rapid and sensitive determination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in plasma
Year: 2025
Authors: Dong Wang, Mengrong Li, Tingting Dai, Xiangyu Zhang, Di Chen
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.114222

Title: Cost-utility analysis of osimertinib and dacomitinib in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutation
Year: 2025
Authors: Lili Su, Xiangyu Zhang, Mengrong Li, Ying Li, Dong Wang
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/14737167.2025.2518135

Title: Integration of multicomponent characterization, untargeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry imaging to unveil the holistic chemical transformations and key markers associated with wine steaming of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus
Year: 2020
Authors: Mengrong Li, Xiaoyan Wang, Lifeng Han, Li Jia, Erwei Liu, Zheng Li, Heshui Yu, Yucheng Wang, Xiumei Gao, Wenzhi Yang
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461228

Title: Identification of prototypes from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in rat plasma based on a data‐dependent acquisition and multicomponent pharmacokinetic study
Year: 2020
Authors: Yucheng Wang, Keyu Feng, Mengrong Li, Lifeng Han, Weiqiang Wang, Dandan Si, Xiaopeng Chen, Wenzhi Yang, Xiumei Gao, Erwei Liu
Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.4833

Title: Enhanced identification of the in vivo metabolites of Ecliptae Herba in rat plasma by integrating untargeted data-dependent MS2 and predictive multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion scan
Year: 2019
Authors: Mengrong Li, Dandan Si, Zhifei Fu, Mangmang Sang, Zixin Zhang, Erwei Liu, Wenzhi Yang, Xiumei Gao, Lifeng Han
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.02.001