Transcript
Interview with Dr. Navin Dingra
John Lin: Welcome to the Expert Gate interview series, where we spotlight thought leaders whose innovative work is shaping the future of education and industry. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Navin Dingra, a truly inspiring academic and leader. Dr . Dingra is a registrar and professor at Sage University Bal, with 55 publications, close to 300 citations, and several patents to his name. Dr. Dingra’s contributions to education and cutting-edge research in cancer drug design are paving the way for transformative impacts in healthcare and beyond. As a leader at one of India’s most forward-thinking universities, Dr. Dingra has been at the forefront of integrating innovation into education, including pioneering initiatives like the new National Education Policy and liberal education system. His dedication to creating a student-centric experience and advancing research demonstrates a profound commitment to empowering the next generation of learners and innovators. Dr. Dingra, it’s an absolute pleasure to have you with us.
Dr. Dingra: Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to be part of Expert Gate. My professional journey has been shaped by a passion for the intersection of biology, technology, and healthcare, which has driven me to pursue a career in the life sciences. I began my academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in life sciences, followed by a master’s degree in biomedicine, where I graduated with the highest honors. My earlier interest was in the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases, combined with the potential for scientific research to solve world problems. This actually inspired me to pursue my PhD in life science. Again, my doctoral research focused on the isolation and characterization of phytochemicals from various fruits for the prevention of breast cancer. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of holding several academic positions, including assistant professor, head of the Department of Biotechnology, registrar at Medics University, and currently, as you introduced, I’m a registrar at Sage University Bal. In addition to my teaching and administrative roles, I have always been deeply involved in research, particularly in computational biology, QSAR, molecular docking, systems biology, and cancer biology, which have become my core areas of specialization. The field of cancer biology, in particular, has always fascinated me. I believe in the search for novel therapeutic strategies through computational methods, and I am in the field because of the potential to apply these computational tools to solve complex biological problems, especially in cancer research. This has motivated me to continue my work in this area. In addition to research and academic work, I have had the opportunity to contribute to practical innovations. I have developed antiviral herbal compositions and skin sanitizing systems, which have resulted in several patents. These experiences reinforce my belief in the power of interdisciplinary research to make a meaningful impact on public health overall. If you see my journey, it has been driven by a desire to contribute to scientific knowledge and its application in improving human health. The combination of being a teacher, administrator, researcher, and practical innovator continues to inspire my work and reinforce my commitment to advancing the field of science.
John Lin: Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring journey, Dr. Dingra. Your story truly underscores the importance of interdisciplinary work and pushing forward what you’re doing at the moment with cancer research and all these different fields in biology. Now, let’s dive deeper into your perspectives on collaboration, social impact, and the evolving landscape of education itself. At Sage University, Dr. Dingra, you oversee both the academic and administrative domains, while also being deeply engaged in your scientific research. What types of projects or collaborations are you most excited to explore through Expert Gate?
Dr. Dingra: I’m particularly excited to explore collaborative projects that intersect computational biology, cancer research, and pharmaceutical innovations through Expert Gate. Given my expertise in areas such as molecular docking, QSAR, and systems biology, I look forward to collaborating on interdisciplinary projects that leverage cutting-edge technologies to advance cancer treatment and drug discovery. My research interest, especially in the application of computational tools to explore phytochemicals and their potential therapeutic effects, could actually benefit greatly from collaborations focused on drug development in molecular docking. Additionally, I believe I’m eager to engage in projects that bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications, such as the novel development of antivirals or antimicrobial compositions like the ones I’ve worked on. Collaborating with Indian industry experts and healthcare professionals on research translating these innovations into the real world is something I find incredibly important. Since I’ve been a part of a UGC STRIDE project for the last many years, where I deliver lectures to students on academic writing, I’m also enthusiastic about collaborating on academic writing, which includes thesis papers, publications, and high-impact journals. This can help shape and refine research ideas into comprehensive theses and well-crafted publications in any specified areas, not only in biology but also in thesis writing and academic writing delivered to various
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