Dr. Renu Khasa | virology | Best Researcher Award |

University of Miami, United States

Professional Profiles:

👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Dr. Renu Khasa is a distinguished virologist and immunologist currently serving as an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Miami. Her research centers on unraveling the complexities of viral mechanisms, particularly Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other flaviviruses like Zika Virus (ZIKV) and Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV). With extensive expertise in molecular virology, she has contributed significantly to the understanding of virus-host interactions, viral pathogenesis, and therapeutic strategies.

🎓 Educational Background:

Dr. Khasa earned her Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2015–2019) from the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, affiliated with Symbiosis International University, India. She completed her Master’s in Biotechnology (2004–2006) from Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Deemed University, and her Bachelor’s in Science (2001–2004) from Hindu Girls College, Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, India.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Khasa’s research delves into the interplay between viral proteins and host cellular mechanisms, with an emphasis on KSHV-driven sarcomagenesis and ZIKV infection pathways. Her expertise includes advanced molecular techniques like virus propagation, qRT-PCR, siRNA screening, and immunostaining. She has contributed to cutting-edge research on the development of mutant viruses and the identification of host factors critical to viral infections

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Dr. Khasa is a recipient of the prestigious ICMR-Senior Research Fellowship (2014–2018) for her work on JEV infection mechanisms. She was also awarded the Global Health Travel Award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to present her research at the Keystone Symposium in Ireland (2019). Her accolades underscore her commitment to advancing virology research.

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Khasa has a rich professional background spanning roles as an Assistant Scientist and Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Miami, focusing on HIV/AIDS and KSHV research. She previously worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Florida State University, where she characterized a ZIKV mutant independent of AXL dependency. Her earlier roles as a Senior and Junior Research Fellow at THSTI, India, were pivotal in advancing research on JEV and clinical trials for oral rotavirus vaccines.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Japanese encephalitis virus infects neuronal cells through a clathrin-independent endocytic mechanism

Authors: M Kalia, R Khasa, M Sharma, M Nain, S Vrati

Journal: Journal of Virology

Citations: 147

Index: 87 (1), 148-162

Year: 2013

Japanese encephalitis virus replication is negatively regulated by autophagy and occurs on LC3-I- and EDEM1-containing membranes

Authors: M Sharma, S Bhattacharyya, M Nain, M Kaur, V Sood, V Gupta, R Khasa, et al.

Journal: Autophagy

Citations: 122

Index: 10 (9), 1637-1651

Year: 2014

A screen for novel hepatitis C virus RdRp inhibitor identifies a broad-spectrum antiviral compound

Authors: A Madhvi, S Hingane, R Srivastav, N Joshi, C Subramani, R Muthumohan, et al.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Citations: 26

Index: 7 (1), 5816

Year: 2017

Valosin-containing protein/p97 plays critical roles in the Japanese encephalitis virus life cycle

Authors: S Sehrawat, R Khasa, A Deb, SK Prajapat, S Mallick, A Basu, M Surjit, et al.

Journal: Journal of Virology

Citations: 23

Index: 95 (11), 10.1128/jvi.02336-20

Year: 2021

Membrane trafficking RNA interference screen identifies a crucial role of the clathrin endocytic pathway and ARP2/3 complex for Japanese encephalitis virus infection in HeLa cells

Authors: R Khasa, A Vaidya, S Vrati, M Kalia

Journal: Journal of General Virology

Citations: 16

Index: 100 (2), 176-186

Year: 2019

Conclusion:

Renu Khasa is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with notable contributions to virology and infectious disease research. Her technical expertise, mentorship abilities, and impactful publications make her a strong contender. Strengthening her independent grant record and enhancing public engagement could further solidify her position as a top researcher in her field.

👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Dr. Martin Faye, a distinguished virologist from Senegal, is the Head of the Rabies and Viral Encephalitis Lab at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar. With over a decade of experience in infectious disease research, Dr. Faye has contributed significantly to the global understanding of arboviruses, viral encephalitis, and other zoonotic diseases. His expertise spans molecular epidemiology, infectious disease diagnostics, and genomic surveillance, particularly in response to public health emergencies like Ebola and SARS-CoV-2. Known for his dedication to capacity building, he has trained numerous scientists across Africa, strengthening regional diagnostic capabilities.

🎓 Educational Background:

Dr. Faye earned his Ph.D. in Virology in 2017 from the University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal, where he conducted groundbreaking research on the molecular epidemiology of viral encephalitis. He holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Virology (2012) from the same institution, focusing on West Nile virus replication kinetics. His academic foundation was established with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences in 2010, followed by a Baccalaureate in 2006 from Lycée Blaise Diagne.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Faye’s research is centered on infectious disease epidemiology, molecular virology, and public health microbiology. His primary focus areas include arboviruses, viral hemorrhagic fevers, rabies, enteroviruses, and SARS-CoV-2. He has led efforts in genomic surveillance, virus-host interactions, and developing molecular diagnostic tools. His work has had a profound impact on the understanding and management of viral outbreaks in West Africa.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Dr. Faye has been recognized for his critical role in infectious disease response. He served as a WHO consultant during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and received a Certificate of Satisfaction from WHO-AFRO for his contributions. Additionally, he has earned certificates of excellence for his peer-review work from prestigious journals such as Pathogens.

💼 Professional Experience:

Since 2023, Dr. Faye has been leading the Rabies and Viral Encephalitis Lab at Institut Pasteur de Dakar. He is also the Deputy Head of the sequencing core facility, contributing to the WHO Inter-country Reference Center for Poliomyelitis. His extensive fieldwork includes deploying mobile labs for COVID-19 diagnostics in Senegal and serving as a laboratory expert for the Ebola outbreak in the DRC. He has also played a pivotal role in training scientists from various African countries in molecular diagnostics and sequencing technologies.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Title: Molecular Epidemiology and Pathogenicity of Wesselsbron Virus Circulating in Africa
Authors: Faye, M.; Di Paola, N.; Dia, M.; Sall, A.A.; Faye, O.
Journal: Virus Research
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 350, Article 199499
Citations: 0

Title: Recent Molecular Epidemiology of Echovirus 11 Throughout North and West Africa Resulted in the First Identification of a Recombinant Strain from an Acute Flaccid Paralysis Case in West Africa
Authors: Ndiaye, N.; Thiaw, F.D.; Lagare, A.; Faye, O.; Faye, M.
Journal: Viruses
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 16, Issue 11, Article 1772
Citations: 0

Title: Navigating the Route to Polio Eradication in the WHO AFRO Region
Authors: Chia, J.E.; Faye, M.; Jermaine, K.; Ahmed, J.; Anfumbom, K.
Journal: The Lancet
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 404, Issue 10463, Page 1637
Citations: 0

Title: Enhancing Readiness in Managing Mpox Outbreaks in Africa
Authors: Faye, M.; Roth, C.; Fitchett, J.R.A.; Sall, A.A.; Sow, A.
Journal: The Lancet
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 403, Issue 10446, Page 2779
Citations: 1

Title: Rapid Detection of Ebolavirus Using Isothermal Recombinase-Aided Amplification
Authors: Ceruti, A.; Faye, M.; Diagne, M.M.; El Wahed, A.A.; Weidmann, M.
Journal: Journal of Medical Virology
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 96, Issue 6, Article e29744
Citations: 0

Conclusion:

Dr. Martin Faye is a strong candidate for the Excellence in Research Award due to his extensive expertise in virology, impactful public health contributions, and commitment to capacity building in Africa. He demonstrates leadership in crucial global health initiatives and mentoring future scientists. Strengthening his publication record and pursuing broader research diversification would enhance his already impressive profile. He is a highly deserving candidate for this prestigious award.