Dr. Ambika Verma, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
Dr. Ambika Verma is a dedicated and accomplished post-doctoral fellow at the Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), with nearly a decade of research experience in molecular gerontology and neuroinflammation. Her research primarily investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of age-related diseases, with a special focus on inflammasome activation induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and its link to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Dr. Verma’s interdisciplinary expertise spans microbiology, immunology, and cellular biology. She has made notable contributions through over 10 peer-reviewed publications, several in high-impact journals, and has received multiple accolades for her scholarly work. Her research has broad implications for understanding the biological aging process and improving the quality of life for elderly populations. As an emerging leader in the field, Dr. Verma combines rigorous scientific inquiry with a commitment to translational research that bridges lab findings with real-world healthcare challenges.
Publication Profile:
Scopus
✅ Strengths for the Award:
-
Proven Research Excellence: Dr. Verma has 9 years of consistent post-doctoral research focused on molecular mechanisms of aging, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, particularly via P. gingivalis-LPS pathways.
-
Strong Publication Record: She has authored 11 publications, several in high-impact journals such as Cells, GeroScience, IJMS, and Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
-
Interdisciplinary Approach: Her research spans gerontology, microbiology, immunology, and proteomics, enhancing its translational impact in both neurological and cardiovascular aging.
-
Collaborative Contributions: Her involvement in multi-author studies and institutional collaborations demonstrates her ability to work across disciplines and teams.
-
Recognition & Service: Dr. Verma has received awards from GSA (Travel and Poster Award) and served as a judge at UAMS Student Research Day (2025)—highlighting both research excellence and community engagement.
📈 Areas for Improvement:
-
Independent Funding: Securing independent research grants (e.g., NIH K awards, fellowships) would further strengthen her leadership profile.
-
Lead Authorship & First-Author Balance: Increasing the number of first-author publications in upcoming research outputs would emphasize her individual contributions.
-
Mentorship & Outreach: Participation in formal mentoring programs or public science outreach could enhance her overall research leadership portfolio.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Verma began her formal academic training in biomedical sciences, earning her PhD prior to 2019. She continued her academic trajectory at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where she served as a Research Assistant in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology from 2019 to 2021. Since 2021, she has been a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Department of Geriatrics, contributing to advanced molecular aging and neurodegeneration studies. Her education has provided her with robust skills in molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and experimental design. Dr. Verma has consistently applied her training to interdisciplinary fields involving microbiology, immunology, and aging research. UAMS, known for its translational research initiatives, has provided Dr. Verma with a fertile environment for collaboration and professional development. Her educational background forms the foundation of her scholarly productivity and her strong contributions to aging and inflammation research.
👩🔬 Experience:
Dr. Ambika Verma brings 9 years of post-doctoral research experience (2016–2025) in aging, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial biology. Since 2021, she has been conducting cutting-edge research under the mentorship of Drs. Jeanne Wei and Gohar Azhar at UAMS, focusing on the noncanonical inflammasome pathways induced by P. gingivalis-LPS. Prior to that, she served as a Research Assistant (2019–2021) at UAMS’s Department of Microbiology & Immunology, contributing to various projects on immune signaling and chronic disease mechanisms. Her technical skills span proteomics, transcriptomics, mitochondrial function assays, and inflammation-related cellular models. She has also mentored junior researchers and participated in collaborative studies exploring cardiovascular aging, metabolic dysfunction, and molecular response to nutritional interventions. Dr. Verma’s depth of laboratory experience and her consistent publication output demonstrate her strong capabilities in hypothesis-driven research and translational science, making her a valuable contributor to the scientific community focused on geriatric health.
🏅 Awards and Honors:
Dr. Verma has earned notable recognition throughout her research career. In 2025, she served as a Judge for the Student Research Day at UAMS, recognizing her leadership in mentoring and academic excellence. She was awarded the 2024 Travel Award in Biological Sciences by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), supporting her attendance at premier conferences. In 2023, her innovative research presentation received the Best Poster Award from the Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO) of GSA. She has also been an active member of the Gerontological Society of America from 2023 to 2025, reflecting her involvement in the professional aging research community. These honors highlight her contributions to gerontology, scientific communication, and leadership. Dr. Verma’s consistent recognition by reputable scientific bodies underscores both the quality of her research and her potential as a future leader in the field of molecular aging.
🔬 Research Focus:
Dr. Verma’s research centers on the molecular mechanisms of aging and neurodegeneration, particularly the role of noncanonical inflammasomes triggered by P. gingivalis-LPS. Her work links chronic microbial infection and systemic inflammation to Alzheimer’s disease pathologies, offering a novel understanding of how oral pathogens contribute to neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. She applies a multifaceted approach, combining proteomics, transcriptomics, and cellular modeling, to dissect immune signaling pathways and their downstream effects on brain and cardiac cells. She is also involved in studies evaluating the impact of amino acid-based nutritional supplements on physical function in older adults. By connecting cellular-level findings with clinical outcomes, Dr. Verma bridges basic and translational research. Her studies have implications not only for Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular aging but also for developing therapeutic interventions aimed at improving geriatric health outcomes and resilience. Her interdisciplinary focus makes her work highly relevant in aging, immunology, and chronic disease research.
📚 Publications Top Notes:
-
🧠 Porphyromonas gingivalis-LPS induced caspase-4 dependent inflammasome activation in Alzheimer’s disease – Cells, 2025
-
🧬 MicroRNA profiling in the Marshallese population links to chronic disease – PLOS One, In Process, 2025
-
💓 Serum response factor overexpression improves mitochondrial function with age – GeroScience, 2025
-
🧪 Proteomic analysis of neuroinflammation induced by P. gingivalis-LPS – GeroScience, 2024
-
🥩 Essential amino acids and whey protein improve physical function in older adults – Mol Nutr Food Res, 2024
-
🔋 Sirtuin-1 isoforms in mitochondrial regulation and aging – Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024
-
🧠 Inhibitors of Rho/MRTF/SRF transcription affect mitochondrial pathways – Cells, 2024
-
🧬 IL-1β Converting Enzyme deletion alters cardiac structure – Biology (Basel), 2024
-
🧪 Valine’s protective effect against oxidative stress and mitochondrial decline – Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2024
-
🧠 P. gingivalis-LPS drives mitochondrial dysfunction through oxidative stress – Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2023
🧾 Conclusion:
Dr. Ambika Verma is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her impactful work on neuroinflammation and aging, strong record of publication, and growing leadership within the gerontology field make her a standout early-career investigator. With ongoing professional development and continued scholarly output, she is well on the path to becoming a future leader in molecular aging research. Her scientific contributions already position her among the most promising young researchers in the field.