Dr. Geeta Rao is a young investigator with expertise in molecular biology, cell signaling, and cancer biology, focusing on basic and preclinical research. Her work is dedicated to understanding how cancer cells interact with the tumor microenvironment to promote cancer progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Specifically in ovarian cancer, Dr. Rao's research investigates the role of cystathionine beta synthase (CBS), an enzyme that produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S), in driving cancer progression, anoikis resistance, metastasis and therapy resistance. Her goal is to identify key regulators of cancer cell transformation and resistance, with the aim of translating these findings into innovative cancer treatments.
Education:
BS - Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, UP, India (1999-2002)
MS - Biotechnology Department, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, UP, India (2002-2004)
PhD - Life Science Department, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India (2006-2012)
Fellowship:
- Junior Research Fellow - Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India (2006-2008)
- Senior Research Fellow - Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India (2008-2011)
- Senior Research Fellow - Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP, India (2012-2013)
- Postdoctoral Fellow - Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), India (2013-2014)
- Postdoctoral Fellow - Deparment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, OKC (2014-2016)
- Postdoctoral Fellow - Deparment of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, OKC (2017-2021)
Clinical/Research Interests:
- Anoikis Resistance
- Metastais
- Tumor microenvironment
- Biotherapeutics
Funding:
- Startup funds from Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma
Select Honors and Accomplishments:
- John B. Bruce Scholarship Award (2016). Outstanding postdoctoral fellow in Pharmaceutical Sciences. OU College of Pharmacy. OKC, OK United States of America.
- Awarded prestigious UGC-DS Kothari postdoctoral fellowship from University Grant Commission, India.
- Senior Research Fellowship (Feb. 2008 –Feb. 2011): CSIR, New Delhi, India.
- Junior Research Fellowship (Feb. 2006 – Feb. 2008) CSIR, New Delhi, India.
- Achieved Gold Medal in M. Sc. Biotechnology from V.B.S.P. University Jaunpur, UP, India.