CV

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Medicine

Running project: The role of Gα13 signaling in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and drug resistance

Postdoctoral Research Associate

School of Medicine, Wayne State University

Studied the biological significance of growth-regulatory signaling networks and proto-oncogenes in normal development and tumorigenesis of the mammary gland and pancreas

• Developed and analyzed genetically engineered mouse models of pancreatic cancer, including long-term phenotypic studies, derivation of primary tumor cell lines, and downstream molecular analyses (RT-qPCR, RNA-Seq, Western blot, ELISA).
• Designed and executed CRISPR knockouts, siRNA/shRNA knockdowns, and retroviral/lentiviral-based gene overexpression experiments in pancreatic cancer cell lines.
• Performed in vitro cellular assays (viability, proliferation, migration, spheroid formation) and in vivo studies (CDX/PDX tumor implantation, growth assessment) to analyze JAK1/STAT3 signaling in cancer progression.
• Performed histological analyses, including immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence (IHC/IF) staining on mouse pancreatic tissues and quantitative imaging for comparative pathology.
• Established the setup for pancreatic acinar cell culture to assess JAK1’s role in acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM).
• Performed bulk RNA-seq studies, including RNA extraction and bioinformatic analysis, to determine the role of JAK1 in pancreas development, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and cancer progression.
• Mentored trainees and contributed to publications and lab operations, including first-author and co-authored papers, collaborative projects on mammary gland development and tumorigenesis, and laboratory management.

Graduate Student

Chonnam National University

Studied the factors affecting adherens junction complexes and function of δ-catenin in cancer and Alzheimer's disease

• Performed cell culture and molecular techniques, including molecular cloning, Western blot, immunoprecipitation, cell surface protein biotinylation, RT-PCR, and cell-based functional assays.
• Studied trafficking of adherens junction proteins in cancer cells using live and fixed cell confocal microscopy.
• Led three independent research projects on adherens junction regulation, resulting in three first-author publications, two co-authored papers, and multiple conference presentations.

Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist

Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal

Conducted sample collection, inspections, and inquiries at pharmacy outlets across various regions of the country to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Lecturer

Pinnacle Technical College Pvt. Ltd.

Mentored and supervised Diploma in Pharmacy (CTEVT Board of Nepal) students through conducting theory classes and overseeing practical lessons in Pharmacology.

Ad hoc reviewer

Have been actively reviewing papers for the following journals:

• Scientific Reports
• Cellular Signalling
• Cancer Control
• The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
• European Journal of Cell Biology

Reviewer Board Member

MDPI

Have been actively reviewing papers for the following MDPI journals:

• Cells
• Cancers
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Biomolecules
• Medicina
• Journal of Clinical Medicine

IPSF-Contact Person

Pokhara University University Students' Pharma Association

Facilitated seamless communication, collaboration, and the successful execution of International Pharmaceutical Students'​ Federation(IPSF)'s objectives and initiatives within the local context

PhD

Chonnam National University

Pharmacy, Molecular Pathology

• Advisor: Prof. Kim Kwonseop
• Major Courseworks: Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pharmacology, and Bioinformatics
• GPA: 4.46/4.5
• Research Focus: Studying the factors affecting adherens junction complexes and function of δ-catenin in cancer
• Dissertation title: Investigation of the molecular mechanism of Hakai-mediated stabilization of δ-catenin

Master of Pharmacy

Chonnam National University

Pharmacy, Molecular Pathology

• Advisor: Prof. Kim Kwonseop
• Major Courseworks: Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pharmacology, and Bioinformatics
• GPA: 4.29/4.5
• Research Focus: Studying the factors affecting adherens junction complexes and function of δ-catenin in cancer
• Thesis title: Hakai, an E3-ligase for E-cadherin, stabilizes δ-catenin and affects E-cadherin complex.

Bachelor of Sciences

Pokhara University

Pharmaceutical Sciences

• GPA: 3.59/4.00
• Major Courseworks: Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutics; and Anatomy and Physiology

WooJung Academic Excellence Aid Fund for International Students

WooJung Education and Culture Foundation

WooJung Education and Culture Foundation, established in 2008, fosters global talent through scholarships, enhancing the educational environment. It biannually awards scholarships to foreign students referred by foreign Embassies in Korea, recognizing their academic excellence. This contributes to national and social development, including countries with historical ties to Korea and those in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia.

Korean Government Academic Achievement Award

National Institute of Education and Development, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, South Korea

I was granted this award in recognition of my outstanding academic achievements while pursuing my master's degree as a beneficiary of the Korean government scholarship. This award was conferred by the National Institute for International Education, which meticulously identified 33 scholarship recipients based on their exceptional academic performance from a pool of over 700 foreign scholarship students invited by the Korean government from across the nation.

Fostering Next Generation Researchers Program Scholarship (학문후속세대장학)

Chonnam National University

This scholarship program is dedicated to enhancing research capabilities and fostering academic successors representing Chonnam National University. This scholarship supports Ph.D. candidates, with a maximum of eight recipients chosen annually.

Korean Government Scholarship

National Institute of Education and Development, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, South Korea

I was among 760 global recipients of the esteemed Korean Government Scholarship for Graduate Studies in 2010. This highly competitive program provided comprehensive financial support and academic opportunities to me, enabling advanced studies in the field of cancer biology and drug discoveries at Chonnam National University, South Korea.

Dr. Katsuko Komatsu Award

Pokhara University, Kaski, Nepal

I was awarded Dr. Katsuko Komatsu Award for significant contributions to the study of crude drugs in the Bachelor of Pharmacy program.

The Janus kinase 1 is critical for pancreatic cancer initiation and progression

Cell Reports

We demonstrated that JAK1 is a key signaling mediator of cytokines that promote mutant KRAS-induced pancreatic cancer initiation and progression. We provided experimental evidence that deficiency in JAK1 prevents tumor formation, and we identified C/EBPd as a critical downstream effector of the pro-tumorigenic functions of JAK1/ STAT signaling.

Highly metastatic claudin-low mammary cancers can originate from luminal epithelial cells

Nature communications

Models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

Dual recombinase action in the normal and neoplastic mammary gland epithelium

Scientific Reports

Efficient tissue-type specific expression of target genes in a tetracycline-controlled manner from the ubiquitously active Eef1a1 locus

Scientific Reports

δ-Catenin increases the stability of EGFR by decreasing c-Cbl interaction and enhances EGFR/Erk1/2 signaling in prostate cancer

Molecules and cells

Janus Kinase 1 Plays a Critical Role in Mammary Cancer Progression

Cell Reports

In this paper, we demonstrated that JAK1 is the pivotal kinase that controls cytokine mediated activation of three STAT proteins in ERBB2-driven mammary cancer cells. We provide experimental evidence that deficiency in JAK1/STAT3 signaling and consequential downregulation of oncogenic targets inhibit migration, tumorsphere formation, and metastatic dissemination of mammary cancer cells.

Hakai, an E3-ligase for E-cadherin, stabilizes δ-catenin through Src kinase

Cellular Signalling

In this paper, we demonstrated that Hakai enhances the stability of δ-Catenin independent of its E3 ligase activity, and while Hakai and δ-Catenin do not physically associate, Hakai stabilizes δ-Catenin through the action of Src kinase. Furthermore, we observed that δ-Catenin mainly localizes in the plasma membrane, regardless of E-cadherin endocytosis after the overexpression of Hakai.

Interaction of EGFR to δ-catenin leads to δ-catenin phosphorylation and enhances EGFR signaling

Scientific Reports

Investigation of the molecular mechanism of δ-catenin ubiquitination: Implication of β--TrCP-1 as a potential E3 ligase

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Cell Research

In this paper, we demonstrated that δ-Catenin is subject to degradation through both the proteasomal and lysosomal pathways, with β-TrCP playing a key role by interacting with δ-Catenin to promote its degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Additionally, we found that the primary ubiquitination sites on δ-Catenin are located at Lys1049 and Lys1158.

Role of Janus kinases (JAKs) and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) in mammary gland and pancreas development as well as cancer initiation and progression

Studying the factors affecting adherens junction complexes and function of δ-catenin in cancer