Have started my career in medicine and research at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute (SRMC) in Chennai, India, where developed a deep passion for Pathology. As advanced from Tutor to Professor and Head of the Department of Pathology, focused on clinical practice of Pathology and academic excellence. Received the Young Scientist Research Fellowship (BOYSCAST) from the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India , supporting my Fellowship in Molecular Genetics & Molecular Pathology at the Weis Center for Research, Geisinger, Pennsylvania, USA in 2007. This experience greatly expanded my understanding of molecular pathology in cancer research. Earned a Doctorate (PhD) in Biotechnology from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in December 2021 and an Advanced Certification in Molecular Pathology from the Thomas Jefferson University, US in 2023, underscoring my commitment to continuous learning and excellence in pathology. To further enhance my teaching skills and complete the ACME (Advanced course in Medical Education) at St John’s Medical College.
Have a total of 26 years of teaching experience in undergraduate, postgraduate medical, paramedical & dental courses and more than 15 years of active research. Founder President of Society of Genitourinary Pathologists of India, and have served as the President for the Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry Association of Pathologists from 2021 to 2024.
Value research and stand committed to the fact that research is integral to medical education and newer technologies to be used for betterment of mankind. To promote research among PhD students, initiated the tissue bank facility and molecular testing services in the Department of Pathology, SRMC. The Scientific reviewer for several journals including the Journal Indian journal of Pathologists & Microbiologists (IJPM) & the Executive member of the Indian College of Pathologists (ICP). Have received various institutional awards for Q1 research publications, and have secured high volume extramural research fundings. Hold national & international research collaborations with faculties from esteemed institutes such as IIT(M), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Bio-Organic Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BRNS), Mumbai, University of Alabama, Ohio State University etc. Have been guiding MD & PhD students in their translational research work. Have over 100 research publications in various indexed journals and have obtained a team patent for Rapid Special Staining Technique for Identification of Normal Ureter by Frozen Section in Children with Ureter pelvic Junction Obstruction. Have delivered more than 140 guest lectures and presentations in national and international forums. Had the honor of writing the foreword in the iconic text book in Pathology the “Rosai and Ackermann’s Surgical Pathology” 11th edition and first South Asian edition. Chief Editor of Handbook of Pathology for Postgraduate students (CBS publishers). Had authored a chapter titled “Pathology for the Surgeon” in the Text book – Short cases in Surgery, 2nd Edition. CBS publications.
My research focuses on molecular pathways of solid malignancies with focus on aggressive behaviour and metastatic pathways. My Research team is working on identifying key molecular players in the tumour microenvironment promoting the metastatic behaviour of malignancies and to identify and understand the pathways via which these players control the molecular mechanisms. In addition, we also focus on identifying a panel of novel markers involved in metastasis and treatment resistance which potentially could help us predict the therapy outcomes and propel us towards theranostic approach. We are also working on predictive models using image analysis and machine learning algorithms. I am also a collaborator for cardiac pathology research on redox reaction.
Principal Investigator for the grant titled “Prediction of Radiotherapy outcomes in Head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma using novel markers” funded by Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences.
Principal Investigator for the grant titled “Novel Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Marker profile across molecular subtype of Breast Carcinoma with focus on Metastatic Disease” funded by SERB Power grant.
Principal Investigator for the grant titled “Identification of novel molecular markers involved in radio resistance in prostate cancer” funded grant by the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Mumbai.
Principal Investigator for the grant titled “Genotypic alterations in prostate cancer” funded grant by the Department of science & Technology (DST), New Delhi.
Principal Investigator for the institution in the subproject “Atlas of cancer in India” for Cancer Registry conducted by the ICMR in collaboration with WHO.
University research funding award and Q1 publication award at the Science Day Celebration 2024
Maximum Q1 publication award at Science Day 2023
University research funding excellence award for the year 2022
Named as Top Doctor South 2022 (Pathology), in Outline & India Today (South)
Named as Top Doctor South 2022 (Pathology), in Outline & India Today (South)
Awarded best paper for MCI advanced course project titled “Crossing the brain barrier- the semi didactic way” at St John’s Medical college & Hospital, Bangalore.
Awarded the Dr. Lalitha Kameswaran gold medal for publication with highest impact factor in the University (2021)
Awarded certificate of merit by the institution for publication in high impact factor (2017 & 2018)
Research Ambassador award by Sri Ramachandra University (2017)
Awarded the “Best paper of the session” for presentation of the paper titled “Molecular dynamics of Rel A in Prostatic adenocarcinoma” in APCON 2013.
Life membership in the Indian Association of Pathology and Microbiology
Life Member of Indian Academy of Cytology
Life member Indian Medical Association
Member of International Academy of Pathologists
Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences
Member of Indian College of Pathologists
International membership to Association of Molecular pathologist, Baltimore, USA (2012)
Member of the international Genitourinary Pathology Society (GUPS)