Research

My research has moved progressively from bench-level mechanisms of treatment resistance toward the population-level genetic factors that determine who is at risk before treatment even begins — from PCR-based genotyping and a cell-line model of chemoresistance, to now integrating polygenic risk scores and rare variant analysis into models of cancer recurrence.

MRes Researcher | King's College London | Sep 2026 – Sep 2027

Germline Genetic Features in DCIS Recurrence

DCIS is a non-obligate precursor to invasive breast cancer, and the current inability to predict which cases will progress leads to widespread overtreatment. This project analyses germline DNA from participants in two major DCIS trials — COMET (USA) and ICICLE (UK) — to understand how inherited genetic features relate to recurrence risk. The work combines wet-lab genotyping and sequencing (Infinium OncoArray-500K, hereditary breast cancer gene panel) with dry-lab statistical modelling (logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards, variant classification via ClinVar), building toward multivariable survival models testing whether germline data improves prediction of DCIS recurrence beyond clinical variables alone. Supervised by Dr. Elinor Sawyer at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Project Researcher | Cancer Institute (WIA) | March 2024 – March 2025

Investigating Cisplatin Resistance in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

I led investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer. This involved designing and executing experiments comparing cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive cell lines to identify key genes and pathways associated with chemoresistance. The study required long-term cell culture maintenance, RNA expression analysis, and functional assays to validate findings. Alongside the research, I also mentored undergraduate interns in laboratory techniques and experimental design.

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Research Assistant (Master's Thesis) | University of Glasgow | April 2023 – August 2023

Psychosocial Impact of Newborn Genomic Screening

For my Master's thesis, I conducted a comprehensive systematic review assessing the psychosocial impact of newborn genomic screening on parents and caregivers. This research involved rigorous literature review, data extraction, and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative findings. The work explored how integrating genomic screening into routine newborn care affects parental decision-making, emotional well-being, and family dynamics. This research highlighted the importance of genetic counselling and support services in genomic medicine, contributing to evidence-based practice in genetic counselling services.

Research Assistant | Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research | June 2019 – June 2022

Genotyping, COVID-19 Diagnostics, and Migraine Triggers

During my undergraduate studies, I spearheaded multiple genotyping projects analysing genetic variation across more than 100 samples. I performed PCR assays, STR analysis, and genotyping to identify genetic markers and variations. Additionally, I contributed to COVID-19 diagnostic efforts, performing over 75 PCR assays during the pandemic. I also received the University Research Award (2022) for outstanding undergraduate research on migraine triggers, which involved a global comparative study analysing migraine triggers and their impacts across different populations.