Kiran Zahra

Ph.D. (Medical Biology); M.Phil. (Biology) and Bachelor of Science (Gold Medalist) with significant research experience in Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Stem Cells, Cell Signaling, and Mechanistic Studies. Key expertise in mouse work particularly animal mouse models (transgenic, conditional knockout, xenograft, and orthotopic), mammalian cell culture, immunoassays (ELISA, immunohistochemistry, etc.), stable cell lines (overexpression, knockdown, mutations, etc.), western blot, etc.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Washington University in St. Louis - USA

(2022-10)

Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research

• Project 1: Inhibition of T-cell Receptor Signaling for Treatment of Adult T-cell Leukemia Lymphoma (ATLL).
• Project 2: Investigating a novel MAPK inhibitor-based combinatorial strategy with strong preclinical efficacy in pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenograft models.
• Co-Project: Investigating the role of cancer-driving and inflammatory signaling pathways in treatment resistance with the goal of developing novel therapeutic strategies and effectuating chemo and immunotherapies for cancer patients.

Doctor of Philosophy - Soonchunhyang University - South Korea

(2017-03 - 2022-02)

Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Group; CGPA 4.22/4.50; 94.12%

• Thesis (primary project): Uncovering the novel role and underlying molecular mechanism of EDA-A2 in skeletal muscle atrophy
• Identified a novel muscle atrophic factor, EDA-A2, negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass via EDA2R signaling mediated by non-canonical NF-kappaB and may introduce a therapeutic opportunity for skeletal muscle atrophy by targeting EDA-A2-EDA2R signaling.
• Uncovering the novel role of R-spondin2 in the regulation of muscle mass via the Akt Pathway.
• Other Projects: Persistent expression of Wnt signaling regulator R-spondin2 in skeletal muscle induces muscle atrophy.
• Other duties include management of mouse colonies, supervising research students, assisting in grant writing, obtaining/managing animal ethics, and organizing research seminars and symposiums.

Lecturer - Government Degree College - Pakistan

(2016-09 - 2017-02)

Department of Biomedical Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy - Medical Biology - Soonchunhyang University (2017-03 - 2022-02)

Master of Philosophy - Biology - Agriculture University (2014 - 2016)

Bachelor of Science - Biology - Bahauddin Zakariya University (2010 - 2014)