Dr. Spoorthy Pathikonda

Qualification: BSc and MSc in Biological Sciences from Bangalore University, India. Master’s thesis with IISc, India. PhD in Cancer and Radiation Biology from City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Post-doctoral study in Glioblastoma from University of Oklahoma, USA.

About me: I am a cancer biologist and clinical researcher with a strong focus on understanding how cellular and molecular changes drive disease progression and how these insights can be translated into diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. My work has spanned radiation biology, tumor microenvironment, and glioblastoma research, and I am now extending this expertise to minimally invasive biomarker discovery, particularly cfDNA and methylation signatures. I am passionate about bridging basic biology with applied clinical research to create affordable and scalable healthcare solutions.

Scientific Pursuits: I enjoy exploring how science can solve real-world problems, particularly in oncology, neurology, and molecular diagnostics. Outside the lab, I find inspiration in scientific writing, mentoring young researchers, and simplifying complex concepts for broader audiences.

Fields of passion: Cancer biology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, epigenetics.

The Invention that inspires me: The advent of next-generation sequencing inspires me because it has revolutionized cancer biology by enabling the discovery of genetic and epigenetic alterations at an unprecedented scale. It has transformed diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and the way we design precision therapies.

Scientist/Innovator whose work resonates deeply: Dr. James P. Allison. (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2018). His pioneering discovery of immune checkpoint therapy has transformed the landscape of cancer treatment. His ability to translate fundamental immunology into life-saving therapies inspires me to pursue research that has a tangible impact on patients.

Inspirational Reads: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth, Life’s Edge: The Search for What It Means to Be Alive by Carl Zimmer.

How I’d like to contribute to the future of science: I aspire to contribute to the development of non-invasive, affordable diagnostic platforms that integrate cancer biology, genomics, and epigenetics. My goal is to help democratize access to precision healthcare, ensuring that early detection and personalized treatment become a reality not just in advanced labs, but also in resource-limited settings worldwide.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/spoorthy-pathikonda