My research focuses on identifying mechanisms/factors via which bone marrow (BM) microenvironment/niche supports hematopoiesis under steady-state and stress/pathological conditions such as exposure to radiation/chemotherapy, hematological malignancies, aging, and diabetes. My current interest is primarily oriented toward identifying the role of neural signals in the regulation of stem cell niche function and hematopoiesis. We discovered the critical role of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a neurotransmitter, in regulating BM vascular permeability and stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) egress into circulation. We also found that NPY promotes BM niche restoration and hematopoietic regeneration after radiation exposure. In addition, we recently reported that the BM niche expressed CXCR4 supports HSPC maintenance under steady-state and early hematopoietic regeneration after myeloablation. We also discovered that aging impairs BM mesenchymal stromal cell ability to support HSPC, and it is linked to reduced expression of CXCR4 on the mesenchymal stromal cell. We plan to explore the function of neuronal signals in leukemia progression in the future.
Post-doctoral Fellowship - IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 12/2006
M.Sc. - R.M.L. Avadh University, India 08/1998
Ph.D. - SGPGIMS Lucknow, India 03/2005
Post-doctoral Fellowship - IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 02/2010
