To have fun Postdoc Appreciation Week, we invited Shalini Chopra, PhD, and Apurva Pandey, PhD, to reply just a few questions on their work. Each are postdocs within the Evans lab within the UCSF Division of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and have been not too long ago named 2023 Ones to Watch by the Society of Nuclear Medication & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
Chopra obtained a grasp’s diploma in nuclear medication in 2010 and a doctorate in biophysics in 2019 from Panjab College, Chandigarh, India. Pandey obtained an MSc on the College of Delhi in 2016, and her doctorate at Stony Brook College, NY in 2021.
I am thrilled that Drs. Chopra and Pandey are being acknowledged by SNMMI for his or her progressive analysis. This prestigious honor is properly deserved, as each are exceedingly gifted scientists of the very best character and professionalism. I anticipate this shall be certainly one of many future recognitions from their friends as they develop into leaders of the sector.” Michael Evans, PhD
Shalini Chopra, PhD
Q: What introduced you to UCSF?
I got here to learn about UCSF and its analysis throughout my go to to San Francisco in 2016. I used to be excited by the translational analysis executed right here. So, after my commencement I utilized to UCSF for my postdoc place and joined the Evans lab within the Division of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging.
Q: Inform us about your analysis.
My present analysis work focuses on growing radiolabeled antibodies and small molecules for most cancers theranostics. A serious a part of my analysis at UCSF is concentrated on growing CDCP1-directed immunotherapies for prostate and bladder most cancers.
Q: What influence do you envision your analysis having on affected person care?
I really feel that my analysis work can add to the present commonplace of care and enhance the standard of life and survival in sufferers with most cancers.
Q: What’s your favourite facet of doing analysis at UCSF?
UCSF has a wealthy and vibrant educational neighborhood. I really feel that it is rather simple to achieve out to individuals for collaborations and everyone seems to be blissful to assist. The work atmosphere at UCSF is supportive and nurturing.
Q: What do you love to do outdoors of labor?
I like going for lengthy walks when I’m not working. In my free time I paint and do embroidery. I like music and not too long ago I’ve acquired a brand new curiosity in gathering vinyl information.
Chopra’s most up-to-date paper:
Covalent Proteins as Focused Radionuclide Therapies Improve Antitumor Results. ACS Cent Sci. 2023 Jun 28.
Apurva Pandey, PhD
Q: What introduced you to UCSF?
Throughout my PhD at Stony Brook College in New York, beneath the steerage of Dr. Eszter Boros, I specialised within the interdisciplinary fields of bio-inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, and nuclear medication. I targeted on non-invasive diagnostics and remedy (theranostics) and researched growing metal-based antibiotics to fight antibiotic-resistant infections. I utilized xenometal-siderophore conjugates as a Trojan Horse to ship imaging probes and therapeutics. Upon the profitable completion of my PhD in November 2021, persevering with my ardour for molecular imaging, I needed to shift my focus to most cancers analysis as a postdoctoral scholar and so I joined the Division of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at UCSF.
Q: Inform us about your analysis.
UCSF’s wealthy atmosphere supplies a perfect platform for deepening my understanding of most cancers imaging and therapy. I grew to become part of Dr. Michael Evans’ laboratory in February 2022, within the dynamic area of most cancers theranostics, the place I give attention to utilizing mobile biomarkers to advance most cancers imaging and therapy with radiolabeled probes. One vital undertaking entails growing Restricted Interplay Peptides (RIPs) as therapeutic and diagnostic instruments for numerous cancers and infections. RIPs are compact peptides that provide benefits over standard radioligand therapies, similar to steady radioisotope accumulation, prolonged tumor presence, and the flexibility to focus on particular extracellular endoproteases and maintain nice promise for precision radioisotope supply to tumors, advancing oncological precision medication.
Q: What influence do you envision your analysis having on affected person care?
I’ve at all times held the idea that combating ailments like most cancers is a journey that may’t be completed in a single day and positively is not the only real duty of 1 particular person. It is a lengthy and difficult path, and even when my analysis contributes to shifting us from level A to B on this journey, it is a pursuit price endeavor. My final aspiration is to witness the probes I’m crafting within the laboratory transition from the bench to the bedside, finally benefiting sufferers.
Q: What’s your favourite facet of doing analysis at UCSF?
Collaborative analysis is undeniably the spotlight of my expertise at UCSF. As a postdoc with nearly a 12 months beneath my belt within the Evans lab, I’ve had the privilege of partaking in six collaborative tasks. These experiences haven’t solely allowed me to broaden my ability set and discover various approaches to addressing most cancers, however they’ve additionally supplied me with a beneficial platform to attach with main PIs of their respective fields.
Whilst a newcomer to those numerous domains, I felt inspired to share my ideas, views, and insights. The welcoming and approachable nature of all my collaborators has not solely facilitated my private progress however has additionally opened doorways to quite a few skilled alternatives.
Q: What do you love to do outdoors of labor?
I’m a proud Ravenclaw; when not within the lab, I may be discovered rereading the Harry Potter books and increasing my assortment of magical merchandise. Past my wizarding pursuits, I take pleasure in cooking, inside décor and watching area movies. Since my transfer to the West Coast, I’ve additionally found the enjoyment of exploring the outside by way of mountain climbing, providing a pleasant escape from analysis duties.
