Shukla Sarkar

Background

About Shukla Sarkar

I recently graduated from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Japan, with a PhD in molecular and cellular Immunobiology. In my PhD thesis, I have uncovered the essential role of JunB, an oncogene, for the clonal expansion of the antigen-primed CD8 T cells in mice. Using molecular and cell biology techniques, including flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing, ATAC-sequencing, real-time PCR, and western blot, I analyzed the effects of JunB deficiency on cell phenotypes, metabolic programming, and gene expression in cytotoxic effector T cells. Having a solid interdisciplinary background is one of my key advantages. A master's (majoring in life sciences) from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research at Kolkata, one of the leading science institutes in India, has helped me broaden my horizon of knowledge and explore new perspectives in addressing any critical problem. Coming from a multicultural society in India, I am also highly adaptable and can easily manage various roles. Connectedness and empathy (Cliffton strength exercise-certified) are my strong points; I am a team player and bring a positive attitude. In the long term, I see myself as an active contributor to research and development. One of my key goals is to understand better the immune cell responses in cancer, specifically CD8 T cells, to further the field of immuno-oncology for better treatment and efficient therapy. My vision is to solve real-life scientific problems in biosciences, contributing to the value-based economy and society at large. Additionally, I wish to be involved in outreach activities to create awareness and general interest in science.