I, Nagarjuna Sivaraj, won the ASTRA-2023, Asia’s Outstanding Researcher Award for “Association of the IL1R1 gene (SNP rs2071374) with the risk of preeclampsia”. The study was published in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Currently, I work as a research scientist (technical) in a NABL and ICMR-accredited virus research and diagnostic laboratory. I am also a Senior Research Associate and the Person In Charge of the Central Research Lab at the Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam, Andhrapradesh, India. I was born in the hamlet of Kunapu’raju’parava in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh to Sri NageswaraRao Sivaraj and Smt. Sita Sivaraj. Both my wife, Smt. Sankeerthi manthripragada, and my daughter, Nakshatra Sivaraj, were instrumental in my success and motivation. I am having three years of experience in clinical trials within the organisation, as well as monitoring all of the documentation in accordance with the guidelines for Good Clinical Practise (GCP). For the past five years, I have been a member secretary of an Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), licenced under the guidelines of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Department of Health Research (DHR). Molecular biology expertise gained through 10 years of research and technical experience led me to receive specialised training at the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL-GEMS&H) in the diagnosis of Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Influenza, and COVID-19-RT PCR. I had practical experience with chromatography techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography, and column chromatography, as well as mass spectrophotometry techniques. Educational qualifications include a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Bioinformatics from GITAM University in Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, for the academic year 2018-19; a Master of Philosophy degree in Molecular Cell Biology and Medical Genetics from Sri Devaraj Urs University in Kolar, Karnataka, for the academic years 2013–2015; and a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Up to this point, I have had 15 original articles and one chapter published in various reputable journals. Presented papers at National and International conferences, as well as the organisation of nine national-level conferences and workshops. Additionally, I served as a peer reviewer for numerous Elsevier and PubMed-indexed journals. My area of interest for research is preeclampsia, a syndrome that happens during pregnancy and is marked by a sudden rise in blood pressure. The condition may harm the baby or the mother, and it can cause long-term health problems for both. It is the main cause of high blood pressure, which can make up to 10% of pregnancies hard. A few plasma inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines, intracellular adhesion molecules, and C-reactive proteins, play a role in preeclampsia, as do variations in short- and long-term inflammatory conditions. Ischemia and hypoxia in the placenta cause cytokines that cause inflammation to be made. The purpose of this study is to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes that regulate inflammation in preeclamptic and healthy expectant women. and to determine whether SNPs in inflammatory mediatory genes are associated with preeclampsia risk. These SNPs may serve as biomarkers for the early detection of preeclampsia. In addition to educational endeavours, I evaluate research papers, provide online support to research students on research methodology and thesis writing through one-on-one interaction, and recharge by playing cricket, reading mythology stories, and having fun with my family members. I’d like to thank all of my teachers, the institutes, the management of all the institutions, and all of the staff, as well as my family, for helping me reach my goals. Without them, none of my accomplishments would have been possible. Additionally, I want to thank ASTRA 2023 very much for this ward
2023-06-21