Nishika Gupta

My name is Nishika Gupta, a budding cancer researcher who grew up in India, the land of diversity. Driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in the real-world, I did my Bachelor degree in Biotechnology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India. During this time, I was awarded the Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) providing opportunities to train with scientists across India in diverse fields. One such experience at India’s top research institute- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) significantly skewed my interest towards disease mechanisms. This led to a self-proposed bachelor thesis project aimed at deducing immune evasion mechanisms of chikungunya virus-work which I later continued alongside multiple projects on viral innate immunity during my Junior Research Fellowship in the same lab.

With solid foundations in Molecular Biology, Immunology and Biochemistry, I made an unprecedented decision of crossing continents to pursue my Master degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Ludwig Maximilian University Munich. Apart from my favourite schnittlauch butterbreze,, another treat Germany offered to my inner opportunist was a bustling research network which I did not hesitate to exploit. An exciting research experience was my first master student internship followed by a student research assistantship at the Institute of Immunology, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich, where I conducted an independent project on using CRISPR interference for transcriptional regulation of T cells. Immediately after, I landed my second internship at the Institute for Virology, Technical University of Munich, where I characterized chimeric antigen receptors for treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-a window into the world of cancer therapeutics and translational science. Motivated to further explore Translational Oncology, I decided to leave my comfort zone again to conduct my master thesis at National Center for Tumor Diseases, DKFZ Heidelberg, Germany. Here I worked on a novel antitumor approach called Pharmacovirotherapy- combining oncolytic measles virus and small molecule inhibitors to treat Glioblastoma and Head and Neck Cancer. Training in patient-oriented research helped me find my niche in Oncology and solidified my goal to develop novel therapeutic and diagnostic regimes while advancing the existing standard of care.

Now in MIRACLE Leukemia doctoral network, I am pursuing my PhD with INSERM, L'Institut de la Leucémie Paris Saint-Louis in Paris, France under co-supervision of Dr. Matthieu Duchmann and Prof. Raphael Itzykson on a multidisciplinary project that aligns perfectly with my research goals. I will be investigating the molecular, cellular and immunological mechanisms underlying acute leukemia minimal residual disease (MRD) upon AZA/VEN treatment, which significantly contributes to AML recurrence, by using single cell multi omics and metabolomics. I will also predict treatment outcomes in patients with AZA/VEN using a drug screening platform and test novel treatment regimes through in vivo mouse model studies. I am excited to be a part of MIRACLE’s collaborative spirit as it will allow me to perform cutting edge research with an assorted perspective from leukemia researchers across the EU and also provide ample networking opportunities contributing to my professional as well as personal growth.