In the current role, as a principal investigator or co-investigator on several federal (NIH) or industry grants, I am leading efforts to understand the cellular and molecular basis of hematologic malignancies including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I am responsible for strategic planning, scientific program development, operations, and scientific collaboration building between industry and academic programs at the MDS Center.I am managing one of the largest biobanks of human tissue/cell samples from patients with hematologic malignancies and normal donors. The BioBank, with over 50,000 samples was started 35+ years ago by a visionary clinician scientist Dr. Azra Raza. The current efforts are to comprehensively characterize the repository specimens using genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics methods. The ultimate goal of these efforts are to improve the outcome for patients by identifying novel or improving the exisiting methods of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.I am also an Executive Director of the First Cell Coliation for Cancer Survivors established by Dr. Raza. The goal of the coliation is to create largest repository of specimens from cancer survivors and to study and develop approaches for the early diagnosis of cancer.Apart from supervising post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and technicians, I am contributing directly to various projects wtih my diverse expertise both as a wet-lab scientist and high-throughput data analyst.

In this role, I have used CRISPR/Cas9 system to establish cellular models. The models I established were instrumental to understand the molecular and biochemical basis of splicing factor mutations in hematological cancers. Using the gene-editing approaches, I published and patented a novel approach to treat myeloid malignancies. This patented approach, developed in collaboration with Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee (clinician-scientist and Pulitzer-winning author), is licensed to VOR Biopharma for translating it to the clinic. Additionally, my current efforts are focussed to identify novel targets for immunotherapies.In collaboration with Dr. Mohandas Narla (2022 Vice President, American Society of Hematology and 2020 Wallace H. Coulter Award Recipient; Ex-Vice President for Research at New York Blood Center), we developed a versatile flow-cytometry based approach to measure and purify erythroid progenitors from bone marrow aspirates to enable the study of normal and ineffective erythropoiesis.

• Oversaw efforts to build largest biobank of human tissue/cell samples including bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC), CD34+ cells, CD56+ cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC), CD3+ (T-cells), serum, bone biopsy, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and buccal cells from patients and normal donors.• Managed data on 50,000+ samples including their location and associated clinical, molecular and demographic data.• Managed projects and oversaw industry & academic collaborations.• Conducted pre-clinical studies to test the efficacy of drugs on primary cells utilizing in vitro co-culture model system that mimic disease microenvironment.• Developed predictive and prognostic biomarkers utilizing mutational (Exome seq, Targeted, and whole genome), gene expression (RNA seq), methylation (450K array) and 5-hydroxymethylation (BS/oxBS/450K array) signatures.• Developed approaches for efficient practice of precision medicine by clinicians.• Developed cell-based disease models by introducing mutations in cells utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technologies.• Supervised Research Assistants, Volunteer and visiting students.• Published manuscripts and abstracts in national and international peer-reviewed journals and presentated in national and international meetings.

Consulting in the areas of pre-clinical studies, biomarker development, and omics analysis for cancers.Clients:• TFC Therapeutics - Scientific co-founder and consultant - Expert advice and guidance to the Company.• Cellworks Group Inc. - Develop a strategy for exome sequence analysis of clinical samples for validation of Cellworks predictive simulation technology.• Onconova Inc. - Research services.• Kura Oncology - Expert advice and guidance to the Company on Myelodysplastic Syndrome(MDS) clinical biomarker sample testing and data analysis.•VOR Biopharma - Expert advice and guidance to the Company.

• Isolated Fanconi anemia (FA) multi-protein core complex and identified a novel protein FAAP20 using tandem affinity purification (TAP). Drug sensitivity assay using mitomycin C, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent, revealed that FAAP20 is essential for providing resistance to this drug. Further characterization using biochemical, genetic and cellular assays revealed a critical role of FAAP20 in FA-BRCA pathway of DNA damage signaling and repair.• Identified a direct interaction between human MutS and FA core complex using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting methods and demonstrated that this complexes act as redundant DNA damage sensors. • Using computational methods, identified histone-fold domains in MHF1-MHF2 protein (MHF) complex. Biochemical and genetic characterization revealed that MHF complex is essential for providing resistance to cisplatin and camptothecin, two widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agents.• Carried out molecular diagnosis using FA complementation assay to identify a rare FA subgroup FA-L. Identified novel bi-allelic mutations in the FANCL gene and functionally characterized them.• Managed laboratory functions including organization, ordering and scheduling equipment use.• Trained new students and Research Assistants.• Manage departmental FPLC facility and help investigators design and carryout experiments using FPLC. Train personnel in proper handling of FPLC instruments and Software (Unicorn).

• Established TAP protocol for isolation and characterization of multi-protein complexes.• Successfully used the TAP protocol to isolate BLM-TopoIIIa-RMI1 multi-protein complex and identified a novel protein RMI2, as an essential component of this complex. Characterization of RMI2 function revealed an essential role in maintenance of genomic stability and helped explain how BLM complex proteins protect cells from cancers.• Isolated a novel protein FAAP100 that is essential for the function of FA-BRCA pathway of DNA damage signaling and repair.

• Identified core promoter of human SLC22A18 gene, a poly-specific organic cation transporter. • Developed a combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA)-based assay to look for SLC22A18 promoter methylation in different tumors.

• Identified core promoter of human TSC1 gene using deletion analysis and luciferase reporter assay. Discovered a novel isoform of human TSC1 gene transcript.• Carried out molecular genetic analysis of TSC genes and reported, for the first time, several polymorphisms and mutations, including novel mutations, in TSC1 and TSC2 genes in TSC patients from India.• Using bisulfite genomic sequencing identified the molecular basis of the most common worldwide form of Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscle (CFEOM1), an eye disorder, mutation observed worldwide.• Carried out mutational analysis and identified several novel mutations and polymorphism in patients affected with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), an eye disorder affecting millions.