Dr Debottam Sinha

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Frazer Institute
Faculty of Medicine

Overview

I am an early career postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Ian Frazer's laboratory. I am a self-motivated young scientist with a research focus on cell and cancer biology, genomic instability, tumour immunology, and cellular therapies. I pursued my doctoral studies under the guidance of Prof. Kum Kum Khanna in QIMR Berghofer and conferred in April 2018, from Griffith University. Prior to my PhD, I acquired a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology, awarded in August 2013 from VIT University, India. After my PhD, I perused my first postdoctoral research experience under the supervision of Prof. Rajiv Khanna at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Throughout my PhD studies, my research was focused on the development of novelcombinatorial therapeutic strategies against aggressive solid cancers . I have a strong interest in understanding the relationship between cancer signalling pathways and tumour microenvironment in aggressive malignancies.

Research Interests

  • Cancer Therapeutics
    My research interest lies in advancing cancer therapeutics through innovative approaches, with a focus on developing targeted therapies and immunotherapies. I aim to unravel the complexities of cancer biology, identify novel therapeutic targets, and pioneer new treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and cutting-edge research methodologies, I strive to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in cancer therapeutics and make impactful strides towards combating this devastating disease.
  • Cancer cell biology and signalling
    My research interest encompasses cancer cell biology and cell signalling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways, delving into the intricate mechanisms that drive tumor growth and progression. By unravelling the aberrant signalling cascades within cancer cells, I aim to identify vulnerabilities and therapeutic targets to disrupt tumor growth and enhance treatment efficacy. Through comprehensive investigations and innovative approaches, I seek to deepen our understanding of cancer biology and pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions against this formidable disease

Research Impacts

As an early career postdoctoral research fellow leading a dynamic research program focused on developing novel therapeutic strategies against aggressive solid cancers, my contributions to the field of cancer biology and therapeutics have been both substantial and impactful. Over the past decade, I have spearheaded multiple research projects that have significantly contributed to advancing the overall understanding of cancer biology, particularly in the realms of cell signalling, molecular target identification, and therapeutic interventions. My scholarly output stands as a testament to the depth and breadth of my research contributions. With 33 publications spanning articles, reviews, editorials, and conference papers indexed in reputable databases such as Scopus, and published in esteemed journals including EMBO Molecular Medicine, JITC, Blood, and Trends in Molecular Medicine, I have effectively disseminated key findings to the scientific community. The impact of my research is underscored by robust citation metrics, with 820 citations across 372 documents, resulting in an h-index of 12. Notably, approximately 75% of my publications showcase research utilizing preclinical models of novel therapeutic strategies, highlighting the translational relevance of my work. Moreover, my research has garnered international recognition, with citations originating from 53 countries, predominantly from the USA and European nations. My publications consistently demonstrate exceptional quality and impact, with 95.28% published in top-quartile journals and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 1.52, indicating citations 53% above expected levels for their field, age, and type. Furthermore, a significant proportion of my publications rank among the top cited worldwide, with 25% in the top 5% and 37.5% in the top 10% of most cited publications. Key research highlights include groundbreaking work on characterizing the functional properties of the CEP55 gene and elucidating its role in driving chemoresistance, as evidenced by publications in PMID: 30108112 and 33087841. Additionally, my contributions to the development of next-generation "Off-the-shelf T-cell therapies" for EBV-associated cancers, resulting in an international patent (US Patent App. 17/771,375, 2023), exemplify my commitment to innovation and translational impact. Collectively, with nearly five years of post-PhD experience, my research has significantly impacted the field by advancing our understanding of solid tumours and identifying new strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Moving forward, I remain dedicated to furthering the development of innovative therapeutic approaches that have the potential to transform cancer treatment paradigms and improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

  • Doctoral (Research) of Cancer Cell Biology, Griffith University
  • Masters (Extended), Vellore Institute of Technology

Publications

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Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

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Publications

Featured Publications

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision