Sahana Kumar

~ equal parts science and art ~

Email: skumar97@umd.edu

PhD Candidate in Biological Sciences

University of Maryland

Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Indian Classical Dance (Bharatanatyam)

Hello! I am a fifth-year PhD student in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park. My research focuses on assessing the properties of mucus in airways and exploring gene therapy approaches as potential treatments for chronic respiratory diseases.

Mucins in Health and Disease

My research focuses on assessing how variations in mucins influence the biophysical properties of mucus and modeling disease-relevant states to better understand their role in chronic respiratory conditions. Additionally, I am characterizing a mucin-targeted gene therapy system as a potential long-term therapeutic strategy for asthma. I am interested in science policy and in leveraging my technical expertise to inform evidence-based policymaking that supports innovative therapeutics and advance public health initiatives.

Publications

[1] A. Boboltz, V. Rathi, S. Kumar, and G. A. Duncan, Myeloperoxidase impairs mucociliary transport on human airway epithelium, ISSN: 2692-8205 Pages: 2025.11.17.688903 Section: New Results, Nov. 18, 2025, doi: 10.1101/2025.11.17.688903.

[2] Y. Cheema, D. Cahn, S. Kumar, M. Wolf, and G. A. Duncan, Barrier function of the extracellular matrix in AAV gene therapy, ISSN: 2692-8205 Pages: 2025.08.01.668133 Section: New Results, Aug. 2, 2025, doi: 10.1101/2025.08.01.668133.

[3] S. Kumar, M. Corkran, Y. Cheema, M. A. Scull, and G. A. Duncan, “AAV-mediated MUC5ac siRNA delivery to prevent mucociliary dysfunction in asthma,” Gene Therapy, pp. 1–9, Aug. 23, 2025, Publisher: Nature Publishing Group, issn: 1476-5462, doi: 10.1038/s41434-025-00564-3.

[4] F. Leo, J. Nilsson*, L. Arike*, S. Kumar*, E. Hilton*, R. Lood, D. J. Thornton, G. A. Duncan, G. Svens¨ater, and C. Wickstr¨om, “Functional divergence of MdpS and MdpS2 reveals mucin-targeting strategies in streptococcus oralis,” Journal of Oral Microbiology, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 2 571 186, Dec. 31, 2025, Publisher: Taylor & Francis, doi: 10.1080/20002297.2025.2571186.

[5] E. M. Engle, S. Yang, A. Boboltz, S. Kumar, A. Stern, and G. A. Duncan, “Microrheology of gel-forming airway mucins isolated from porcine trachea,” Soft Matter, vol. 21, no. 25, pp. 4999–5004, 2025, Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry, doi: 10.1039/D4SM01343C.

[6] T. Yeruva, R. J. Morris III, S. Kumar, L. Zhao, P. Kofinas, and G. A. Duncan, “Rapid in situ forming PEG hydrogels for mucosal drug delivery,” Biomaterials Science, 2025, Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry, [Online]. Available: https : / / pubs . rsc . org / en / content / articlehtml / 2025 / bm / d4bm01101e.

[7] S. Kumar and G. A. Duncan, “A dual functional mucus- and cell-penetrating peptide enhances mRNA lipid nanoparticle delivery to the lung,” Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids, vol. 35, no. 4, Dec. 10, 2024, Publisher: Elsevier, issn: 2162-2531, doi: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102393.

[8] S. Kumar*, A. Boboltz*, and G. A. Duncan, “Inhaled drug delivery for the targeted treatment of asthma,” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, vol. 198, p. 114 858, 2023, issn: 0169-409X, doi: https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2023.114858.

[9] A. Nguyen, S. Kumar, and A. A. Kulkarni, “Nanotheranostic strategies for cancer immunotherapy,” Small Methods, vol. 6, no. 12, p. 2 200 718, 2022, issn: 2366-9608, doi: 10.1002/smtd.202200718.

[10] S. Kumar, A. Ramesh, and A. Kulkarni, “Targeting macrophages: A novel avenue for cancer drug discovery,” Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 561–574, May 3, 2020, issn: 1746- 0441, 1746-045X, doi: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1733525.

[11] A. Nguyen, A. Ramesh, S. Kumar, D. Nandi, A. Brouillard, A. Wells, L. Pobezinsky, B. Osborne, and A. A. Kulkarni, “Granzyme b nanoreporter for early monitoring of tumor response to immunotherapy,” Science Advances, vol. 6, no. 40, eabc2777, Oct. 2, 2020, Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc2777.

[12] A. Ramesh, A. Brouillard, S. Kumar, D. Nandi, and A. Kulkarni, “Dual inhibition of CSF1r and MAPK pathways using supramolecular nanoparticles enhances macrophage immunotherapy,” Biomaterials, vol. 227, p. 119 559, Jan. 2020, issn: 01429612, doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119559.

[13] A. Ramesh, S. Kumar, A. Brouillard, D. Nandi, and A. Kulkarni, “A nitric oxide (NO) nanoreporter for noninvasive real-time imaging of macrophage immunotherapy,” Advanced Materials, vol. 32, no. 24, p. 2 000 648, Jun. 2020, issn: 0935-9648, 1521-4095, doi: 10.1002/adma.202000648.

[14] A. Ramesh, S. Kumar, A. Nguyen, A. Brouillard, and A. Kulkarni, “Lipid-based phagocytosis na- noenhancer for macrophage immunotherapy,” Nanoscale, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 1875–1885, 2020, issn: 2040-3364, 2040-3372, doi: 10.1039/C9NR08670F.

[15] A. Ramesh, S. Kumar, D. Nandi, and A. Kulkarni, “CSF1r- and SHP2-inhibitor-loaded nanoparticles enhance cytotoxic activity and phagocytosis in tumor-associated macrophages,” Advanced Materials, vol. 31, no. 51, p. 1 904 364, Dec. 2019, issn: 0935-9648, 1521-4095, doi: 10.1002/adma.201904364.

Public Engagement

Science Education Volunteer

I actively participate in public science outreach through events like Maryland Day, where my lab and I designed hands-on lung models to teach visitors about the mechanics of breathing and the role of the diaphragm. I am also a proud participant in the annual Great Strides Walk, joining my lab in supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis research.

Dance Education Volunteer

As part of Nootana, a local dance and music ensemble, I performed Bharatanatyam at the Sandy Spring Museum (MD, USA) and Oaklands Elementary School (MD, USA). Following each performance, I led interactive sessions with the audience, sharing the history, movements, and expressive elements that define this classical Indian art form. I perform at a south asian open mic in Washington DC, to share and perform pieces from my tamizh culture.

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