Kavya Pandya

Ph.D. in Cancer Biology

Specializing in DNA damage response, autophagy, and chemoresistance. Passionate about translating fundamental research into therapeutic applications.

Kavya Pandya

About Me

Hello! I'm a passionate and curious researcher with a PhD focused on understanding cellular responses to stress, particularly the intricate mechanisms of the DNA damage response and autophagy pathways. My doctoral studies specifically highlighted how proteins like MDC1 interact with autophagy-related components to play a non-canonical role in DNA repair.

My fascination extends to the broader interplay between various cellular pathways and their intricate regulation. I'm especially intrigued by how fundamental mechanisms, such as DNA repair, contribute to cellular homeostasis and how their dysregulation can lead to significant pathologies, including cancer. This interest drives my commitment to exploring these complex processes and their implications for human health.

I bring extensive hands-on experience in a variety of advanced laboratory techniques, including western blotting, immunocytochemistry, co-immunoprecipitation studies, flow cytometry, apoptosis detection, and diverse cell-based assays. I am dedicated to scientific discovery, thrive in collaborative environments, and am always eager to apply and upgrade my skills to challenging research questions aimed at making a tangible impact.

5+
Years Research
6
Publications
14
Citations
10+
Skills

Research & Expertise

Research Interests

DNA Damage Response (DDR)

Investigating MDC1 and its role in cellular stress responses

Autophagy Mechanisms

Cross-talk between DDR and autophagy pathways

CRISPR-Cas Systems

Programmable nucleases for molecular diagnostics

Cancer Biology

Molecular targets for therapeutic intervention

Technical Skills

Molecular Cloning Western Blotting PCR & qRT-PCR Flow Cytometry Cell Culture Immunocytochemistry Molecular Dynamics SDS-PAGE Cell-Based Assays Bioinformatics

Publications

Recent research contributions in molecular biology and cancer research

CRISPR-Cas systems: programmable nuclease revolutionizing the molecular diagnosis

K Pandya, D Jagani, N Singh

Molecular Biotechnology 66 (8), 1739-1753 (2024)

12 Citations 2024

In silico study reveals unconventional interactions between MDC1 of DDR and Beclin-1 of autophagy

K Pandya, N Singh

Molecular Diversity 27 (6), 2789-2802 (2023)

2 Citations 2023

A Turn off Fluorescent Ionic Liquid with Carbazole Fluorophore for Sensing Fe2+ ions

S Vyas, K Pandya, N Singh, R Mishra

Journal of Molecular Structure, 142732 (2025)

New 2025

Decoding the DDR and Autophagy cross talk, a cellular response to genotoxic stress and its implications in cancer therapy

N Singh, K Pandya

Journal of Biological Chemistry 301 (5) (2025)

Abstract 2025

Unraveling the molecular interactions between DDR and autophagy in response to oxidative stress

KA Pandya, N Singh

Cancer Research 85 (8_Supplement_1), 4198-4198 (2025)

Conference 2025

Applications and associated challenges of CRISPR-Cas technology in agriculture

S Rathore, R Bhatt, S Joshi, K Pandya, N Singh

CRISPR-Cas System in Translational Biotechnology, 265-280 (2024)

Book Chapter 2024

Experience & Education

Professional Experience

Doctoral Researcher

Institute of Advanced Research

2020-2025

Project: Investigate The Interplay Between MDC1 And Beclin-1 In Oxidative Stress And Drug Induced DNA Damage

  • • Conducted in silico protein-protein interaction analysis using molecular docking and dynamics simulation
  • • Studied molecular cross-talk between DDR and autophagy-related proteins
  • • Analyzed cytotoxic effects of DNA-damaging agents on MDC1-knockdown cell lines

Junior Research Fellow

Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre

Aug-Nov 2020

Project: Global Challenge Research Fund - One Health Poultry Hub

  • • Isolated and characterized bacterial strains from poultry samples
  • • Used biochemical assays and molecular techniques (PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing)

Summer Intern

Amneal Pharmaceuticals

2017

Gained hands-on experience in sterility testing and microbial contamination analysis in drug manufacturing processes.

Education

Ph.D. in Cancer Biology

Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar

2020-2025

Dissertation on DDR-Autophagy cross-talk in cellular stress responses

Cell Biology Protein-Protein Interaction Western Blotting Immunocytochemistry Flow Cytometry

M.Sc. in Biochemistry

Nirma University

2018-2020

Dissertation: Identification and cloning of novel Rab9 homologue in Entamoeba histolytica

Molecular Cloning PCR Parasite Culture

B.Sc. in Biochemistry

St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad

2015-2018

Foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, and analytical techniques

Get In Touch

I'm actively seeking opportunities in research and development. Let's connect to discuss potential collaborations or positions.