Akhouri Kishore Ragawan, Ph.D

Background: I obtained myBachelor’s degree with Hons. in Chemistry from Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, India, where I found my mentor in Prof. Subhash Chandra Lakhotia, who motivated me to pursue research as a career. I shifted my subject area and joined Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Banaras Hindu University for his Masters, where I was exposed to various molecular biology techniques, animal handling, experiments in clinical genetics, and preliminary training in research methodology. I joined Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India for his doctoral research. I worked in the supervision of Dr. Ghanshyam Swarup and Dr. Vegesna Radha on a research project to decipher pathophysiology of familial cold autoinflammatory syndromes (FCAS). My research work identified heat shock protein (HSP) family member, HSC70, as a suppressor of inflammatory signaling, and a sensor of low-temperature during pathology of FCAS disorders. My research contributions have fetched him multiple awards at national and international forums, including a prestigious nomination for Indian National Science Academy Medal for young scientists in 2020 and 2021.
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Research Interests/Projects: I joined the research group of Dr. Nilay Sethi, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in December 2022. I am interested in understanding the biology of cancer, and how environmental stressors and life-style habits impact the cancer outcome. My research efforts are particularly focused on identifying bioactive molecules that can modulate cancer progression.

Fun Facts and Interests: I like to travel; besides being a tourist and a foodie I spend my leisure hours in writing commentaries, short notes and poems on contemporary social issues.