Debanjan Dhar (Med-X)
Overview
Debanjan Dhar is an accomplished researcher and associate professor known for his significant contributions to the field of liver cancer research. He is currently associated with the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, where he focuses on disease development with a special emphasis on liver cancer. Dhar’s research explores the impact of lifestyle factors and genetic predispositions on the development of liver diseases, particularly how the accumulation of fat and scar tissue in the liver leads to conditions like metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a precursor to liver cancer. His exceptional work in the field has earned him the prestigious Liver Scholar Award from the American Liver Foundation (ALF) and the Young Investigator Award from CureSearch for Children's Cancer.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Debanjan Dhar has continued to make strides in liver disease research and has been recognized for his contributions.
- 2024: Dhar was awarded two R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for his ongoing research.
- May 2024: Announced his research on liver cancer at Sanford Burnham Prebys, focusing on understanding how liver cancer instances have increased due to metabolic disorders, despite the introduction of vaccines for Hepatitis B and C.
- January 2024: Debanjan Dhar discussed his research objectives on a YouTube segment funded by CureSearch, highlighting the mechanistic characterization of tumor-initiating cells in liver cancer.
- 2023: Contributed to significant publications elaborating the role of lifestyle factors on health, with an emphasis on liver, heart, and kidney communications in disease development.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Debanjan Dhar |
| Born | [Date and Place - for privacy reasons, specifics are typically not disclosed] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Associate Professor, Researcher |
| Known For | Liver cancer research, Translational research |
| Education | PhD from Saint Louis University, MSc from University of Calcutta |
Early Life and Education
Debanjan Dhar hails from India and has shown an early interest in science and research. He pursued his undergraduate and master’s education at the University of Calcutta, India, where he excelled and ranked top in his university. He later moved on to obtain his PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, focusing on Cancer Gene Therapy at Saint Louis University in Missouri, USA. Post his doctoral studies, Dhar was a postdoctoral fellow working under Dr. Michael Karin at UCSD, where he delved into the mechanisms of liver cancer initiation.
Career and Notable Achievements
Debanjan Dhar’s career began with a significant focus on understanding liver diseases and developing preclinical models for Non-Alcoholic Steatoheatitis (NASH).
- Initial Research: Conducted extensive research on adenovirus-mediated cancer gene therapy during his PhD.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Focused on liver cancer initiation and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at UCSD.
- Liver Scholar Award (2015-2018): Recognized for his work on CD44's mechanistic role in fibrosis and HCC.
- Young Investigator Award (2013-2015): Awarded by CureSearch for research on tumor-initiating cells in HCC.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Debanjan Dhar is engaged in extensive research at Sanford Burnham Prebys, aimed at discovering early detection signals for MASH and liver cancer. His work has been pivotal in understanding the complex communications between the liver and other organs, which could potentially lead to non-invasive diagnostic markers for liver diseases. Dhar is actively collaborating with his peers and contributes as an adjunct faculty member at UC San Diego.
Debanjan Dhar Chemistry
Dhar, with his educational background in microbiology and biochemistry, integrates a broad understanding of chemistry and biological systems in his research, focusing on the translational aspects to combat liver diseases.
Debanjan Dhar Outlook
Dhar often talks about the need for early detection of liver diseases and aims to combine his research with clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Debanjan Dhar is recognized as a leader in liver disease research, with significant contributions to understanding and tackling liver cancer. His interdisciplinary approach, encompassing various facets of chemistry and biology, aims to bridge the gap between science and patient care and continues to innovate in the field of cancer diagnostics and therapy.