Subodh Kumar | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Subodh Kumar | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Subodh Kumar | Texas Tech Univesrity Health Sciences Center El Paso | United States

Dr. Subodh Kumar is an Assistant Professor in Molecular and Translational Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), El Paso. With a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from PGIMER, India, and postdoctoral training in Neurobiology at TTUHSC, his work is rooted in understanding neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has significantly contributed to identifying synapse-localized microRNAs and their mechanistic roles in AD pathology. Dr. Kumar is the recipient of the prestigious NIH K99/R00 Career Development Award and the Marsh Foundation Research Award. His translational research spans biomarker discovery, synaptic dysfunction, and multi-omics analysis. As a corresponding author on several high-impact publications, Dr. Kumar has developed miRNA-based therapeutic strategies and diagnostics. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and holds memberships in several professional neuroscience organizations. His ongoing research aims to translate molecular findings into innovative treatments for AD.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths For The Award:

  1. Cutting-edge Research in Alzheimer’s Disease 🧠🧬: Dr. Kumar’s multi-omics and miRNA-focused studies provide novel insights into synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease—an area with significant global impact and scientific relevance.

  2. High-impact Publications 📚: His work has appeared in top-tier journals such as Molecular Psychiatry, NPJ Genomic Medicine, Redox Biology, and Human Molecular Genetics—a testament to research quality and scientific contribution.

  3. Leadership & Innovation 🧪: He is the corresponding author on many publications, highlighting leadership in collaborative research. His pioneering discovery of miRNAs like miR-455-3p and miR-502-3p as biomarkers has translational potential.

  4. Consistent Funding & Recognition 💰🏆: Secured prestigious awards like the NIH K99/R00 and Marsh Foundation Research Award, showing trust and acknowledgment from the scientific community.

  5. Mentorship & Editorial Involvement ✏️: Active as an Associate Editor and likely mentoring younger researchers, showcasing academic service and leadership.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Global Collaboration 🌍: Though his current work is impactful, forming more global or cross-institutional collaborations could increase the international visibility of his research.

  2. Public Science Communication 📢: There’s little mention of science outreach or public education; engaging with broader audiences could amplify his societal impact.

  3. Commercialization & Patents: While one patent is listed, further steps toward translational research or biotech partnerships could accelerate clinical applications.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Kumar began his academic journey at CCS University, Meerut, India, where he earned a B.S. in Biology (2004) and an M.S. in Biotechnology (2005). He pursued his doctoral studies at the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, where he earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in 2014. His graduate research centered on liver-specific miRNAs in hepatitis C. He further expanded his expertise during a comprehensive postdoctoral training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Lubbock, from 2015 to 2021, focusing on neurobiology and Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms. His advanced education combined molecular biology, genomics, and translational neuroscience, laying a solid foundation for his innovative contributions to AD research. Dr. Kumar’s academic training has uniquely equipped him to explore complex disease pathways, develop miRNA-based biomarkers, and use multi-omics approaches for therapeutic target discovery in neurodegeneration.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Subodh Kumar has nearly two decades of research and academic experience spanning molecular biology, neuroscience, and translational medicine. Currently an Assistant Professor at TTUHSC El Paso (2022–Present), he previously served as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow at TTUHSC Lubbock (2015–2022). His early career included roles as a Senior and Junior Research Fellow at ICMR, India, and as a tutor in Biotechnology. He has mentored multiple students and leads independent NIH-funded research investigating microRNA roles in Alzheimer’s disease. Notably, his pioneering studies on synapse-localized miRNAs and multi-omics integration have shed light on novel targets and mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis. He has also worked on liver-related miRNAs and their biomarker potential during hepatitis C virus infections. With a well-rounded profile combining teaching, laboratory research, and grant writing, Dr. Kumar’s experience reflects strong leadership in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and translational research.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Kumar has received numerous accolades throughout his career, highlighting both his scientific excellence and research impact. Most notably, he was awarded the NIH NIA K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award in 2020, supporting his pioneering work on microRNA in Alzheimer’s disease. In 2024, he received the Marsh Foundation Research Award at TTUHSC El Paso. His presentations and posters have been recognized at institutional and national levels, including the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 14th Annual Research Symposium (2022) and the Best Poster Award at the Healthy Aging and Dementia Symposium (2018). He has also received competitive fellowships and travel awards from prestigious Indian agencies such as CSIR and ICMR, including an International Travel Award and GATE fellowship. These honors reflect Dr. Kumar’s sustained excellence in translational neuroscience, innovation in biomarker discovery, and leadership in Alzheimer’s disease research.

🧬 Research Focus:

Dr. Subodh Kumar’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with particular emphasis on synapse-localized microRNAs (miRNAs). His lab explores how deregulated miRNAs like miR-501-3p, miR-502-3p, and miR-455-3p affect synaptic protein expression, GABAergic function, and mitochondrial dynamics. Dr. Kumar integrates multi-omics approaches—including transcriptomics, proteomics, and miRNA sequencing—on human brain-derived synaptosomes to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. His group also uses lentiviral vector systems and stereotaxic injections in mouse models to manipulate miRNA expression in vivo. These findings help clarify miRNA-mRNA-protein interactions in AD progression. Dr. Kumar also explores the diagnostic potential of miRNAs using patient-derived samples (CSF, serum, fibroblasts). His research bridges basic neuroscience with clinical translation, aiming to develop miRNA-based therapeutics and non-invasive diagnostic panels for early AD detection. His work holds promise in reshaping our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

📚 Publication Titles Top Notes:

  1. 🧠 Integrated multi-omics analyses of synaptosomes revealed synapse-associated novel targets in Alzheimer’s disease (Molecular Psychiatry, 2025)

  2. 🧬 MiRNA-501-3p and MiRNA-502-3p: a promising biomarker panel for Alzheimer’s disease (Clinical and Translational Medicine, 2025)

  3. 🧩 MicroRNA-502-3p Modulates the GABA A Subunits, Synaptic Proteins, and Mitochondrial Morphology in Hippocampal Neurons (Molecular Neurobiology, 2025)

  4. 🔬 MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons (Neural Regeneration Research, 2024)

  5. 🧠 Synaptosome microRNAs regulate synapse functions in Alzheimer’s disease (NPJ Genomic Medicine, 2022)

  6. 🧪 MicroRNA-455-3p improves synaptic, cognitive functions and extends lifespan: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease (Redox Biology, 2021)

  7. 🧠 Novel MicroRNA-455-3p and its protective effects against abnormal APP processing and amyloid beta toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease (BBA, 2019)

  8. 🧬 MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease: an update (Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2018)

  9. 🧪 MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential peripheral biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (Human Molecular Genetics, 2017)

  10. 🧫 Crosstalk between microRNA-122 and FOX family genes in HepG2 cells (Exp Biology & Medicine, 2017)

📌 Conclusion:

Dr. Subodh Kumar is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His research on microRNAs in neurodegeneration is groundbreaking, well-funded, and internationally recognized. With a robust publication record, academic leadership, and translational potential, he exemplifies the caliber expected of this distinction. Strategic enhancements in international outreach and translational ventures would further elevate his global impact.