Lab Members

Pooja Goswami is a UGC-Senior Research Fellow (UGC-SRF) in the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India. She completed her schooling at St. Xavier's School, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Zoology from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 2017, followed by a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Zoology with a specialization in Endocrinology from BHU in 2019.

She has qualified several prestigious national competitive examinations, including the Joint CSIR-UGC NET (2021), ICMR-JRF (2021), and GATE (2020). She joined our laboratory as Ph.D fellow in 2021 and was subsequently awarded the UGC-SRF fellowship.

Her research focuses on the development of innovative anticancer therapies by integrating natural bioactive compounds, combination chemotherapy, and polymeric nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems.

Rupen Tamang was born and raised in the Queen of Hills, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Zoology from St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, and earned his Master's degree in Zoology from North Bengal University. He qualified for the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET examination 2021, reflecting his compelling academic foundation and research aptitude. He is currently pursuing his doctoral research as a Senior Research Scholar in the Genotoxicology and Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University.

His research focuses on cancer biology, nanomedicine, and natural product-based therapeutics, with particular emphasis on investigating the synergistic anticancer effects of bioactive phytochemicals in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cell survival signalling pathways. His research expertise includes mammalian cell culture, cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays, three-dimensional (3D) tumour spheroid models, Western blotting, PCR, molecular biology techniques, nanoparticle synthesis, and their characterization. Through an interdisciplinary approach integrating cell biology, nanotechnology, and oncology, he strives to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for improved cancer treatment. Apart from his research, he enjoys vlogging, video editing, and digital content creation. These creative pursuits enhance his creativity, storytelling, and communication skills for a broader audience. In his leisure time, he is passionate about exploring multiculturalism and expanding his linguistic abilities.

Vivek Kumar Sharma is a senior research fellow in the Genotoxicology and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, BHU. He is originally from Dhanbad, Jharkhand. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Zoology from Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, and earned his Master's degree in Zoology with distinction from Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad. He qualified the CSIR-UGC NET JRF examination in 2022, securing AIR 159 and enrolled in PhD at BHU. He is currently working on developing a receptor-targeted chitosan nanoformulation loaded with a natural compound for enhanced therapeutics for breast cancer.
Besides his research, he enjoys travelling, playing sports, bike riding, keeping up with emerging technologies, and following national and international political affairs.

Akanksha Dubey is a Senior Research Fellow in our lab. She has consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout her educational journey. She secured first rank in her Higher Secondary examination and was awarded the Medhavi Chhatra Fellowship by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. She completed her graduation and post-graduation in Zoology from a central university (Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, M.P). She distinguished herself academically by securing first rank in her M.Sc. and receiving the Gold Medal. The Department of Science and Technology also awarded her the prestigious DST INSPIRE Fellowship for JRF and SRF. She has qualified CSIR UGC NET examination twice with AIR 29 and 51 and also the GATE examination conducted by IIT Kanpur.

She is currently investigating the combined anticancer effects of plant-derived alkaloids and conventional chemotherapeutic agents. She aims to understand their synergistic interactions and anti-cancer potential through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies. She evaluates these combination therapies by exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer activity, including effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell-cycle regulation, and other key signalling pathways involved in cancer progression.

Outside the laboratory, Akanksha values a balanced life rooted in spirituality and lifelong learning. She has a special affection for Kashi and enjoys spending time at the Ganga ghat, listening to devotional music, and reading books in her free time.

Suraj Chhedilal Kewat has completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Mumbai, qualified national level competitive exams like CSIR-NET-JRF, DBT-JRF, GATE, along with Maharashtra State Eligibility Test (M-SET) and Mumbai University Ph.D. Entrance Test (MU-PET), which underscores his academic excellence. His research focuses on designing and preclinical evaluation of hypoxia-responsive nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for targeted cancer therapy and investigating the molecular mechanisms of cancer cell death under different conditions through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo approaches, with particular emphasis on apoptosis, alterations in mitochondrial dynamics, regulation of hypoxia-associated signaling pathways, along with evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile in murine solid tumor models by assessing tumor regression, survival, histopathological alterations, etc. By integrating, in vitro and in vivo approaches, his research aims is to develop effective nanomedicine-based strategies capable of overcoming the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and improving treatment outcomes in solid tumors.

This is Shubham Sahani, born and brought up in the spiritual city of Varanasi. His journey into research began with a Bachelor of Vocation in Medical Laboratory Technology at BHU, followed by a dissertation at Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna, and as a laboratory team member at ICMR–National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi, during the COVID-19 pandemic. He then pursued an M.Sc. in Biotechnology at the University of Mysore through DBT GAT-B, which further strengthened his interest in molecular biology and nanobiotechnology. He is being qualified by DBT JRF Cat-I, GATE XL, and GATE BT.

Today, his research focuses on biological nanocarriers for anticancer therapeutic applications.

When he's not in the lab, you'll probably find him listening to music, exploring the diverse cultures and traditions across India, documenting or capturing moments digitally during his travels.

Vineet Kumar is originally from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. His schooling is from J.I.C. Azamgarh. He completed his Graduation from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in 2022. Post-graduation with a strong academic interest in life science. He completed Master’s degree in Zoology in 2024 from the same University. He qualified for the CSIR UGC JRF 2025. He joined the lab as a UGC fellow in 2026, and he is working on the evaluation of photodynamic therapeutic potential in certain mammalian cancers cell. Apart from research, He is interested in literature, music and enjoys travelling.

Mr. Deepak Kumar Sharma, the helping hand and backbone of our laboratory. A native of Kachhwa, Paderi, Mirzapur, he has been a part of our lab since 2015. He efficiently manages the laboratory's day-to-day activities and ensures the timely availability of supplies. His dedication, hard work, and unwavering support make him one of the most important members of our team.