Chandrakanta Potdar

Doctoral researcher (Ph.D., NIMHANS, 2026) with 7+ years of specialized expertise in iPSC-based Parkinson's disease modeling, dopaminergic neuron differentiation, midbrain organoid development, and gene editing techniques, including cloning, plasmid isolation, and transfection. Author of 5 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact indexed journals (ACS Chemical Neuroscience, Stem Cells and Development, Cells), including 3 first/co-first-author papers, with a sixth manuscript in preparation. Recipient of four national research fellowships - DRDO, SERB, ICMR, and BIRAC.

Recognized for independent experimental design, multidisciplinary scientific execution, and effective communication of complex findings. Seeks to apply deep technical expertise and research leadership to cutting-edge translational research in a leading Indian institution.

Doctoral Researcher - Ph.D. Scholar - NIMHANS, Bangalore - Bangalore

(2018-12 - 2026)

Led comprehensive investigation into phosphorylation-dependent regulation of alpha-Synuclein in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons under supervision of Dr. Indrani Datta.

• Led comprehensive investigation into phosphorylation-dependent regulation of alpha-Synuclein in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons - yielding 3 peer-reviewed publications across BBRC, ACS Chemical Neuroscience, and Cells
• Developed a sporadic and familial mutated Parkinson's disease model and designed and executed multi-modal functional assays - calcium imaging, exocytosis/endocytosis, and ROS analysis - to delineate neuronal dysfunction mechanisms and establish disease-relevant phenotypes
• Established a mechanistic link between CK2alpha-mediated downregulation of phosphorylated alpha-Synuclein and restoration of dopaminergic neuronal function, published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2022)
• Ongoing characterization of differential effects of wild-type vs. A53T alpha-Synuclein on calcium homeostasis, dopamine neurotransmission, and transcriptional regulation - manuscript in preparation as first author

Young Scientist - DRDO Funded Project - NIMHANS, Bangalore - Bangalore

(2021-08 - 2024-08)

Developed and fully characterized an iPSC-based Parkinson's disease model carrying the LRRK2 I1371V mutation.

• Developed and fully characterized an iPSC-based Parkinson's disease model carrying the LRRK2 I1371V mutation - generating dopaminergic neurons and midbrain organoids to study mutation-driven disease mechanisms
• Identified impaired Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) responsiveness in iPSC-derived floor plate cells as a novel mechanistic contributor to reduced dopaminergic neuron yield - published as first author in Stem Cells and Development (2024)
• Led comparative molecular characterization of LRRK2 G2019S vs. I1371V variants, establishing membrane dysfunction as a central disease mechanism across variants - published in Cells (2026)
• Identified alpha-Synuclein pathology and functional impairments in LRRK2 I1371V iPSC-derived neurons - published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience (2022)

Senior Research Fellow - ICMR Funded - NIMHANS, Bangalore - Bangalore

(2020-08 - 2021-08)

Evaluated the impact of LRRK2 mutation on the cellular pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells of Indian ethnicity.

• Evaluated the impact of LRRK2 mutation on the cellular pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells of Indian ethnicity, contributing key phenotypic characterization data to the lab's ongoing mutation-driven disease modeling pipeline

Junior Research Fellow - SERB Funded - NIMHANS, Bangalore - Bangalore

(2018-12 - 2020-08)

Investigated alpha-Synuclein phosphorylation-mediated dopaminergic neuron dysfunction through molecular and cellular techniques.

• Investigated alpha-Synuclein phosphorylation-mediated dopaminergic neuron dysfunction through stable and siRNA transfection, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry
• Co-contributed to the generation and characterization of iPSC line NIMHi001-A from a Parkinson's patient carrying LRRK2 I1371V - published in Stem Cell Research (2020)

Senior Research Fellow - BIRAC Funded - NIMHANS, Bangalore - Bangalore

(2018-09 - 2018-12)

Generated patient-derived iPSCs and differentiated them into midbrain floor plate progenitors, establishing core differentiation protocols.

• Generated patient-derived iPSCs and differentiated them into midbrain floor plate progenitors, establishing core differentiation protocols adopted across subsequent lab projects

M.Sc. Research Project - Manipal Academy of Higher Education - Manipal

(2016 - 2018)

Investigated the role of mitochondrial fusion proteins in neurogenesis using gene cloning and shRNA-based gene-editing approaches under supervision of Dr. Anujith Kumar.

• Investigated the role of mitochondrial fusion proteins in neurogenesis using gene cloning and shRNA-based gene-editing approaches - published in iScience (2020)

B.Sc. Research Project - Rani Channamma University

(2013 - 2015)

• Studied embryonic developmental stages and morphogenesis using chick embryo models

Ph.D.

• Exploring the Role of alpha-Synuclein Phosphorylation in Modulation of Dopaminergic Neuronal Function: Implications for Parkinson's Disease - NIMHANS, Bangalore (2018-12 - 2026)

M.Sc.

• Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine - Manipal Academy of Higher Education (2016 - 2018)

B.Sc.

• Life Sciences - Rani Channamma University (2013 - 2015)