Dr. Jhuma Bhadra - Chemical Biology - Best Researcher Award

Sarojini Naidu College for Women - India

AUTHOR PROFILE

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS 🎓

Jhuma Bhadra embarked on her academic journey with a keen interest in chemistry, which eventually led her to earn a Ph.D. in the subject. Her formative years were marked by rigorous academic training, setting a strong foundation in the fundamental and applied aspects of chemistry. Her early studies laid the groundwork for her future research endeavors in nucleolipid synthesis and antimicrobial therapeutics, areas that have profound implications in biomedical sciences.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS 💼

Jhuma’s professional career commenced with impactful postdoctoral fellowships at prestigious institutions like Boston College and Clemson University. At Boston College, she explored bacteriophage modification using Boron warheads, while her tenure at Clemson University focused on designing and synthesizing aminoglycoside and Hoechst-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) to study their antibacterial activity. Her academic career progressed as she joined Kurseong College as an Assistant Professor, where she continued to contribute to the field of chemistry. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Sarojini Naidu College for Women, where she furthers her research and teaching responsibilities.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS 🤞

Jhuma Bhadra’s research is centered around the synthesis and biomedical application of nucleolipids. Her notable work includes the design of novel aminoglycoside-nucleolipid conjugates aimed at developing potential antimicrobial therapeutics. Her research is not just confined to theoretical aspects but extends to practical applications that have the potential to combat Chemical Biology antibiotic resistance, a critical global health challenge. Her dedication to advancing the field is evident in her role as a supervisor to two Junior Research Fellows, guiding the next generation of researchers.

ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION 🏆

Jhuma’s scholarly contributions have been recognized by the scientific community, notably through the receipt of a substantial grant from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB-DST) under the EMEQ scheme. The Rs. 48.9 lakh funding supports her groundbreaking project on antimicrobial therapeutics, underscoring the importance and potential impact of her work. Chemical Biology This recognition highlights her role as a leading researcher in her field.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE 🌍

Jhuma Bhadra’s research impacts both the scientific community and broader society. Her work on nucleolipids and antimicrobial therapeutics addresses pressing health issues, contributing to the development of new strategies to combat bacterial infections. By integrating her research findings into her teaching, she influences and inspires her students, fostering a new wave of Chemical Biology scientific inquiry and innovation in chemistry.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS 💡

Jhuma’s legacy in the field of chemistry is characterized by her innovative approach to research and her commitment to education. As she continues her work at Sarojini Naidu College for Women, her contributions are poised to expand the frontiers of nucleolipid research and antimicrobial therapies. Her future endeavors will likely include further exploration of biomedical applications, continuing to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical healthcare solutions. Jhuma Bhadra’s dedication ensures her lasting influence in the realm of chemical sciences and beyond.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

Title: Peptide Nucleic Acids: Recent Advancements and Future Opportunities in Biomedical Applications
Authors: Achinta Sannigrahi, Nayan De, Debmalya Bhunia, Jhuma Bhadra
Journal: Bioorganic Chemistry
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108146
Title: Understanding Antisense Oligonucleotide Efficiency in Inhibiting Prokaryotic Gene Expression
Authors: Sandra Story, Sayantan Bhaduri, Sudakshina Ganguly, Rambabu Dakarapu, Sarah L. Wicks, Jhuma Bhadra, Simeon Kwange, Dev Arya
Journal: ACS Infectious Diseases
DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00645
Title: Self-Transfecting GMO-PMO Chimera Targeting Nanog Enable Gene Silencing In Vitro and Suppresses Tumor Growth in 4T1 Allografts in Mouse
Authors: Ujjal Das, Jayanta Kundu, Pallab Shaw, Chandra Bose, Atanu Ghosh, Shalini Gupta, Sudipta Sarkar, Jhuma Bhadra, Surajit Sinha
Journal: Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids
DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.03.011
Title: Cananginone Abrogates EMT in Breast Cancer Cells through Hedgehog Signaling
Authors: Chandra Bose, Ujjal Das, Tapan Kumar Kuilya, Joyanta Mondal, Jhuma Bhadra, Priyanjalee Banerjee, Rajib Kumar Goswami, Surajit Sinha
Journal: Chemistry & Biodiversity
DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202100823
Title: Self-Transfecting GMO-PMO and PMO-GMO Chimeras Enable Gene Silencing In Vitro and In Vivo Zebrafish Model and NANOG Inhibition Induce the Apoptosis in Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Jayanta Kundu, Ujjal Das, Chandra Bose, Jhuma Bhadra, Surajit Sinha
Journal: Preprint
DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.04.447039

Early academic pursuits 🎓

K. Nagaraj's academic journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry, earning his B.Sc. in Chemistry from Devanga Arts College, Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu, in 2007. He furthered his education by obtaining an M.Sc. in Chemistry from SBK College, Aruppukottai, in 2009, where he achieved a commendable 71%. His passion for research led him to pursue an M.Phil. in Chemistry at Madurai Kamaraj University, where he excelled with a score of 78% in 2010. Nagaraj continued his scholarly journey by completing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli, in 2014, focusing on surfactant cobalt(III) complexes.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Nagaraj's professional career is marked by a series of academic appointments across various prestigious institutions. He has served as an Assistant Professor at several universities, including the School of Pharmacy at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and St. Eugene University in Zambia. His teaching journey also includes positions at institutions such as IISER, Tiruvananthapuram, and VSM Institutions in Andhra Pradesh. His diverse teaching experience has allowed him to share his expertise in chemistry with students from various backgrounds.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Nagaraj’s research is primarily centered on the isolation and characterization of secondary metabolites from natural resources, as well as the efficient generation of hydrogen using earth-abundant metal ions. His doctoral work delved into the synthesis of surfactant cobalt(III) complexes, focusing on their kinetics of electron Biochemistry transfer and interaction with nucleic acids, showcasing his commitment to advancing the field of chemistry through innovative research.

Accolades and recognition 🏆

K. Nagaraj has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry through numerous awards and fellowships. He qualified for the Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) in 2009 and received a University Research Fellowship from 2010 to 2012. His dedication earned him the UGC Research Biochemistry Fellowship for Meritorious Research Students from 2013 to 2015, as well as the prestigious Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award for Young Scientists in 2016. In addition, he was honored with the InSc Research Excellency Award in 2022, reflecting his significant impact on the scientific community.

Impact and influence 🌍

Throughout his career, Nagaraj has made substantial contributions to both research and education, influencing the next generation of chemists. His work in photocatalytic chemistry and the development of surfactant complexes has implications for environmental sustainability and drug development. By mentoring Biochemistry students and engaging in collaborative research, he continues to inspire others in the field.

Legacy and future contributions 🌱

As he progresses in his academic career, K. Nagaraj aims to further his research in sustainable chemistry and innovative material development. His ongoing projects and collaborations are expected to yield valuable insights into the practical applications of his research. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for teaching, Nagaraj is poised to leave a lasting legacy in the field of chemistry, contributing to advancements that benefit society as a whole.

Notable Publications

Title: Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of (5Z)-5-[(2-piperidinequinoline-3-yl)methyl]-2-chloroquinoline derivatives: Docking study on substituted N-alkylation and binding mechanisms with E. Coli PDF enzyme
Authors: Juddhawala, K.V., Parekh, N.M., Alswieleh, A., Nagaraj, K.
Journal: Spectrochimica Acta - Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2025, 325, 125114

Title: Formulation and analysis of acrylic emulsion coatings with chrome yellow, phthalocyanine blue, and red oxide pigments using high speed disperser and bead mill techniques
Authors: Badgujar, N.P., Kulkarni, R.D., Govindasamy, C., Bari, M.L., Nagaraj, K.
Journal: Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 2024, 101(11), 101372

Title: Zirconium-doped zinc nanocomposites (ZDZN): Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of antibacterial activity
Authors: Nagaraj, K., Kaliyaperumal, R., Poovan, V.K., Kasilingam, T., Tharini, K.
Journal: Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 2024, 101(11), 101386

Title: Sustainable synthesis of iron oxide nanopigments: Enhancing pigment quality through combined air oxidation and cavitation techniques
Authors: Adhav, K.D., Badgujar, N.P., Alswieleh, A., Nagaraj, K.
Journal: Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 2024, 101(11), 101363

Title: Nano-enhanced antifungal paint: Harnessing nanoparticle-based fungicides for enhanced durability and protection
Authors: Chavan, P.G., Badgujar, N.P., Wadaan, M.A., Nagaraj, K.
Journal: Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 2024, 101(10), 101257