The Kushwah Laboratory focuses on deciphering the molecular basis of women's cancers through an integrated approach combining cancer genomics, DNA repair, epigenetics, microbiome biology, and computational biology. Our mission is to advance precision oncology by identifying clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic targets while training the next generation of cancer researchers. 

Manyata Srivastava is a doctoral researcher in Translational Oncology & Women’s Health at Manipal University Jaipur. Trained in microbiology and life sciences, her work brings together molecular biology, immunology, and clinically anchored research questions in women’s health.

Her current interests lie in translational gynecologic oncology, particularly in building bridges between clinical datasets, disease mechanisms, and meaningful biological interpretation. She is also engaged in evidence-driven biomedical research through systematic reviews and meta-analyses, with published work across cardiovascular neurology and maternal health.

At the lab level, she contributes to projects that aim to move from descriptive clinical patterns toward mechanistic and translational insight. Her long-term research trajectory is oriented toward clinically relevant molecular investigation in women’s disease biology.

Focus Areas: Translational Gynaecologic Oncology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Clinical Research, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Project: Gardnerella Vaginalis-mediated epigenetic reprogramming in cervix epithelia

Email: manyata.2501049205@muj.manipal.edu

Pragathi Uppada is a doctoral researcher in Translational Oncology & Women’s Health at the Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur. With academic training in Human Genetics, her research integrates expertise in molecular biology, cytogenetics, medical genetics and genetic counseling to investigate clinically significant questions in women’s health. Her current research focuses on translational gynaecologic oncology, where she combines clinical evidence with molecular investigations to better understand disease mechanisms. Her work aims to generate biologically meaningful insights through the integration and interpretation of multi-omics data in translational research.

In addition to the laboratory-based level, she is involved in projects that translate descriptive observations into mechanistic and translational analysis, supporting the development of clinically relevant research outcomes. Her long-term research vision is centered on advancing molecular-level investigations in gynecologic oncology, with a goal of improving disease understanding, early diagnosis, and translational applications that enhance women’s health.

Focus Areas: Translational Oncology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Clinical Research, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Project: Cervicovaginal microbiome-mediated DDR alterations in cervical epithelia

Email: uppada.2604511005@muj.manipal.edu 

Ms. Diksha Ameta is currently pursuing her M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2025–2027) at Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Her research interests include microbiology, molecular biology, human genetics, immunology, gynecology, and cancer biology. Her current research focus centers on DNA damage response (DDR) plasticity, adaptive therapeutic vulnerabilities, and molecular mechanisms underlying treatment response in women’s cancers using integrative multi-omics and translational oncology approaches. Through her ongoing major and minor research projects, she is developing expertise in systematic data interpretation, cancer signaling networks, immune-oncology interactions, and precision medicine frameworks. 

Email: diksha.2504030017@muj.manipal.edu 

Pratik Kumar is currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Biotechnology at the Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (2024–2027). He is an undergraduate intern with the Translational Oncology and Women’s Health research group in the same department. His research interests include molecular biology, human genetics, oncology, and immunology. His current work focuses on the pharmacoepigenetics of cervical cancer, examining how epigenetic alterations influence therapeutic response and resistance, with the aim of identifying predictive biomarkers and improving treatment strategies. 

Email: pratik.2424010011@muj.manipal.edu 

Neha Moond is currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Biotechnology at the Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (2024–2027). She is undertaking her dissertation with the Translational Oncology and Women’s Health research group at the same department. Her current work focuses on the pharmacoepigenetics of endometrial cancer, investigating how epigenetic alterations influence therapeutic response and resistance to inform biomarker discovery and precision treatment strategies.

Email: neha.2424010005@muj.manipal.edu  

Ankita Chouhan is currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Biotechnology at the Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (2024–2027). She is undertaking her dissertation with the Translational Oncology and Women’s Health research group at the same department. Her research interests include microbiology, human genetics, oncology, and immunology. Her current work focuses on the pharmacoepigenetics of ovarian cancer, exploring how epigenetic regulation influences drug response and resistance to improve biomarker discovery and therapeutic stratification. 

Email: ankita.2424010021@muj.manipal.edu 

Komal Maan is currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Biotechnology at the Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (2024–2027). She is undertaking her dissertation with the Translational Oncology and Women’s Health research group at the same department. Her current work focuses on comprehensively investigating how socio-demographic factors influence the knowledge, awareness, and preventive health behaviors related to cervical cancer among women in Rajasthan, India, with particular emphasis on understanding disparities in symptom recognition, screening uptake, and HPV vaccine acceptance. 

Email: komal.2424010043@muj.manipal.edu