Prof Dr Seema Singh | Immune cells | Cell Biology Research Award

Prof Dr Seema Singh , UMMC , United States

Seema Singh, Ph.D., M.B.A., is a distinguished Professor and Associate Director of Education and Training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She has a robust background in cell and molecular biology, with expertise in cancer research, particularly in understanding racial disparities in cancer biology. Dr. Singh’s career spans multiple prestigious institutions, including the University of South Alabama and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is noted for her contributions to cancer research and education, having led numerous funded projects and received multiple awards. In addition to her academic roles, she serves on various scientific review panels and advisory boards, reflecting her prominence in the field. Her current research focuses on the influence of stress on cancer progression and the mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Strengths for the Award

1. Extensive Experience and Expertise: Dr. Seema Singh has a robust academic and professional background, with over two decades of experience in cell biology and oncology research. Her tenure as a Professor and Associate Director of Education and Training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center underscores her leadership and expertise in the field.
2. Significant Research Contributions: Dr. Singh’s research has made notable contributions to understanding cancer biology, particularly in relation to health disparities and molecular mechanisms. Her work on the molecular causes and mechanistic underpinnings of breast cancer racial disparity, funded by the NIH (R01CA204801), highlights her capability to tackle complex biological questions with significant impact.
3. Strong Grant and Contract Record: Her successful acquisition of major grants, including ongoing funding from the Department of Defense and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, demonstrates her ability to secure and manage substantial research funding. Her past work on NIH R01 grants with high scores indicates a strong track record of impactful research.
4. Editorial and Review Contributions: Dr. Singh’s roles as a Special Issue Editor and journal reviewer for high-impact journals reflect her recognition and respect in the scientific community. This involvement enhances her reputation and showcases her commitment to advancing the field of cell biology through peer review and editorial responsibilities.
5. Honors and Awards: Her receipt of the Outstanding Cancer Scientist Award and other prestigious honors demonstrates the recognition of her peers for her significant contributions to cancer research. These accolades support her candidacy for the Research for Cell Biology Research Award.
6. Service and Outreach: Dr. Singh’s involvement in community outreach and advisory roles, such as her leadership in breast cancer awareness initiatives, further illustrates her dedication to translating research into real-world impacts and educating the next generation of scientists.

Areas for Improvement

1. Broader Research Focus: While Dr. Singh has a strong focus on cancer research and health disparities, expanding her research portfolio to include a wider range of cell biology topics could strengthen her application. This could involve integrating more fundamental cell biology studies or exploring novel cellular mechanisms.
2. Publication Diversity: Although Dr. Singh has numerous publications, diversifying her publication venues to include emerging or high-impact journals in cell biology could further enhance her visibility and impact in the broader cell biology community.
3. Collaborative Research: Increasing collaborative efforts with researchers in other subfields of cell biology or related disciplines could provide new insights and foster interdisciplinary approaches, potentially leading to more innovative research outcomes.

Education

Seema Singh earned her M.B.A. with a concentration in Health Care from the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business (2021-2023). She completed certificate courses in clinical pharmacology and clinical research from the NIH Office of Clinical Research (2022-2023). Her academic journey began with a Ph.D. in Pathology and Microbiology from Cent. Inst. Med. Aromat. Pl. (CIMAP), India (1996-2001), following a Master’s in Botany-Pathology from Aligarh M. University, India (1992-1994). She also holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Botany from Aligarh M. University (1989-1992). Her postgraduate training includes extensive research experience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she held positions as a Research Associate and Post-doctoral Fellow from 2006 to 2009.

Experience 

Dr. Seema Singh’s career is marked by extensive experience in academia and research. She has held tenured professorships at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of South Alabama, focusing on cell biology and oncologic sciences. Her roles included leading the Department of Oncologic Sciences and serving as Vice President for Research at Tatva Biosciences LLC. Dr. Singh has been a Research Associate and Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she contributed significantly to cancer research. Her work has involved substantial contributions to understanding cancer health disparities and developing innovative research methodologies. In her current role, she is integral to education and training in cancer research, reflecting her leadership and commitment to advancing the field.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Seema Singh has received numerous accolades for her contributions to cancer research. In 2023, she was honored with the Healers Medal by The Mapp Family Foundation and the Outstanding Cancer Scientist Award by the Society of American Asian Scientists in Cancer Research (SAASCR). She has been recognized as a Special Issue Editor for leading journals, including iScience and Discover Oncology. Notably, she received the Mayer Mitchell Annual Award for Excellence in Cancer Research in 2020. Her achievements include several NIH research grants, with her proposal ranked in the top percentiles for impact. Dr. Singh has also been acknowledged with the Russell and Robin Lea National Alumni Excellence in Faculty Innovation Award in 2016. Her consistent recognition underscores her significant impact on cancer research and academic excellence.

Research Focus 

Dr. Seema Singh’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities, particularly those affecting racial minorities. Her work explores the role of various biomarkers and signaling pathways in cancer progression and resistance, with a strong emphasis on stress-induced immune landscape changes in breast cancer. She investigates how factors such as serum cortisol levels influence tumor characteristics and disease outcomes. Dr. Singh’s research aims to elucidate the interplay between tumor microenvironments and systemic factors contributing to aggressive cancer phenotypes. Her projects, including studies on IL6-induced Myb expression in prostate cancer and the impact of resistin-LIN28A-(IL6)-STAT3/pSTAT3 regulatory loops in breast cancer, reflect a commitment to addressing critical gaps in cancer research and advancing personalized therapeutic strategies.

Publications Top Notes

• “Mitochondrial Translocase TOMM22 Is Overexpressed in Pancreatic Cancer and Promotes Aggressive Growth by Modulating Mitochondrial Protein Import and Function” 📄
• “Supplementary Figure 1 from Mitochondrial Translocase TOMM22 Is Overexpressed in Pancreatic Cancer and Promotes Aggressive Growth by Modulating Mitochondrial Protein Import and Function” 📄
• “Supplementary Figure 2 from Mitochondrial Translocase TOMM22 Is Overexpressed in Pancreatic Cancer and Promotes Aggressive Growth by Modulating Mitochondrial Protein Import and Function” 📄
• “Supplementary Figure 3 from Mitochondrial Translocase TOMM22 Is Overexpressed in Pancreatic Cancer and Promotes Aggressive Growth by Modulating Mitochondrial Protein Import and Function” 📄
• “Supplementary Figure 4 from Mitochondrial Translocase TOMM22 Is Overexpressed in Pancreatic Cancer and Promotes Aggressive Growth by Modulating Mitochondrial Protein Import and Function” 📄

Conclusion

Dr. Seema Singh, Ph.D., M.B.A, is highly suitable for the Research for Cell Biology Research Award. Her extensive experience, significant contributions to cancer research, successful grant record, editorial roles, and community service highlight her exceptional qualifications. Addressing the areas for improvement, such as broadening her research focus and increasing collaborative efforts, could further strengthen her candidacy. Overall, her accomplishments and ongoing work align well with the goals of the Research for Cell Biology Research Award, making her a strong candidate for this recognition.