Senior research Investigator at University of Pennsylvania,United States
Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Bhargava is a Senior Research Investigator at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in cancer biology, immunology, and molecular medicine. He focuses on understanding the cytoprotective mechanisms in esophageal squamous epithelial cells and their role in cancer progression, particularly the impact of smoking and alcohol. With extensive experience in translational cancer research, he has made significant contributions in areas like tissue repair, cancer metastasis, and immune modulation. His work is guided by a passion for identifying novel therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes in cancer therapy.
📍 Current Role: Senior Research Investigator, University of Pennsylvania (since 2023)
Publication Profile
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Education🎓
- PhD in Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, India (2016). Dissertation: Crosstalk of Estrogen Receptor and Estrogen Receptor-Related Receptor Family Members in Breast Cancer.
- MSc in Biotechnology, Calicut University, India (2006).
- BSc in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry, BSA College, Dr. B.R.A. University, India (2004).
Research Focus: Breast cancer, estrogen receptors, molecular pathways in cancer.
Professional Experience💼
- Senior Research Investigator, University of Pennsylvania (2023-Present): Leading research projects focused on the KLF5-p53 axis, wound healing, and immune modulation in cancer and inflammation.
- Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Pennsylvania (2019-2023): Investigated cytoprotective pathways in esophageal squamous epithelial cells.
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute (2019): Developed a prostate cancer prognostic kit using NanoString technology.
- Researcher, University of Iowa (2017-2019): Studied WDR26’s role in breast tumor growth and lung metastasis.
- Researcher, University of Houston (2016-2017): Explored GPR110’s involvement in cancer stem cells and HER2-resistant breast cancer.
Expertise: Cancer research, immunology, tissue repair, drug resistance mechanisms.
Research Interests🔬
Dr. Bhargava’s research spans molecular oncology, immunology, and cellular biology. His work focuses on understanding how cellular pathways, such as the KLF5-p53 axis, regulate cell survival and tissue repair in the context of cancer. He also investigates how these pathways influence immune cell functions and their potential as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment and inflammation.
Key Areas: Cancer biology, molecular signaling, tissue regeneration, immunomodulation.
Awards and Honors🏆
- Best Poster Presentation, Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa (2018).
- National Eligibility Test (NET), Qualified for Lectureship, CSIR-UGC (2006, 2007, 2008).
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), All India Rank 335 (2006) and 261 (2007). Recognition: Awarded for scientific excellence and contributions to pharmacology and cancer research.
Achievements🎯
Dr. Bhargava’s work has led to significant advancements in understanding cancer metastasis and immune responses in inflammatory diseases. His role as a reviewer for prestigious journals such as BMC Cancer and Cellular Signaling highlights his influence in the scientific community. He is also involved in grant reviews and serves as an editor for several scientific journals. Impact: Contributed to scientific knowledge in cancer prognosis, therapeutic development, and immunotherapy.
Upcoming Projects🚀
Dr. Bhargava is currently engaged in several innovative research projects, including exploring the role of KLF5 in extracellular matrix remodeling and its potential as a therapeutic target for wound healing and cancer. He is also investigating the modulation of immune responses in inflammatory conditions, focusing on KLF5’s impact on cytokine production and immune cell signaling. Future Focus: KLF5-targeted therapies, cancer immunotherapy, molecular mechanisms in wound healing.
Publications📚
- Bhargava, D.; Rusakow, D.; Zheng, W.; Awad, S.; Katz, J.P.
KLF5 inhibition initiates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-transformed human squamous epithelial cells.
BBA-Molecular Cell Research, 2024
- Jiao, X.; Di Sante, G.; Casimiro, M.; Tantos, A.; Ashton, A.; Li, Z.; Quach, Y.; Bhargava, D.; DiRocco, A.; et al.
A cyclin D1 intrinsically disordered domain accesses modified histone motifs to govern gene transcription.
Oncogenesis, 2024;
- Dutta, A.; Bhagat, S.; Paul, S.; Katz, J.P.; Sengupta, D.; Bhargava, D.
Neutrophils in Cancer and Potential Therapeutic Strategies Using Neutrophil-Derived Exosomes.
Vaccines (Basel), 2023
- Yang, Y.; Bhargava, D.; Chen, X.; Zhou, T.; Dursuk, G.; Jiang, W.; Wang, J.; Zong, Z.; Katz, S.I.; Lomberk, G.A.; Urrutia, R.A.; Katz, J.P.
KLF5 and p53 comprise an incoherent feed-forward loop directing cell-fate decisions following stress.
Cell Death Dis., 2023
- Bhat, R.R.; Yadav, P.; Sahay, D.; Bhargava, D.K.; Creighton, C.J.; Yazdanfard, S.; Al-Rawi, A.; Yadav, V.; Qin, L.; Nanda, S.; Sethunath, V.; Fu, X.; De Angelis, C.; Narkar, V.A.; Osborne, C.K.; Schiff, R.; Trivedi, M.V.
GPCRs profiling and identification of GPR110 as a potential new target in HER2+ breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Res Treat., 2018
- Sengupta, D.; Bhargava, D.K.; Dixit, A.; Sahoo, B.S.; Biswas, S.; Biswas, G.; Mishra, S.K.
ERRβ signalling through FST and BCAS2 inhibits cellular proliferation in breast cancer cells.
Br J Cancer, 2014
- Mishra, S.K.; Sengupta, D.; Sar, P.; Bhargava, D.K.
Molecular Basis of Aging and Breast Cancer.
J Cancer Sci Ther, 2013;
- Mishra, S.K.; Kanchan, K.; Bhargava, D.K.
A Review on EZH2 and its Epigenetic Association with Breast Cancer.
Journal of Cancer Research Updates, 2012;
- Sar, P.; Bhargava, D.K.; Sengupta, D.; Rath, B.; Chaudhary, S.; et al.
In Human Breast Cancer Cells TRβ Competes with ERα for Altering BCl2/Bax Ratio through SMP30-Mediated p53 Induction.
J Cancer Sci Ther, 2012;