Dr. Paritha Arumugam | Gene Therapy | Best Researcher Award
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center | United States
AUTHOR PROFILE
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Paritha Arumugam's academic journey began at the University of Madras, Bharathi Women's College, where she earned her B.Sc. in Biochemistry in 1991. She continued her education at the University of Madras, Guindy Campus, obtaining her M.Sc. in Biochemistry in 1993, M.Phil. in Biochemistry in 1994, and Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1998 under the mentorship of Shyamala Devi, C.S. Her academic excellence was recognized with numerous awards, including the Gold Medal for securing the first rank in her M.Sc. program and various other prestigious prizes from the University of Madras.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Dr. Arumugam's professional career is marked by significant roles in both academic and research settings. She served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) from 2004 to 2006, under the guidance of Dr. Punam Malik in the Division of Hematology-Oncology. She later earned an M.S. in Drug Development from the University of Cincinnati in 2011, where she was advised by Kevin L. Skare. Her academic appointments at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) have been pivotal. She progressed from Research Instructor in Pediatrics (2015-2019) to her current position as an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the Translational Pulmonary Science Center, Division of Pulmonary Biology, beginning in October 2019.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON GENE THERAPY
Dr. Arumugam's research has significantly advanced the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, with a particular focus on translational pulmonary science. Her work on developing a novel cell transplantation therapy, specifically Pulmonary Macrophage Transplantation, earned her a plenary talk at the NHLBI Celebration of 15 Years of Basic and Translational Progenitor Cell Research in 2023. Her research has garnered numerous awards, including the Excellence in Hemoglobinopathy Research Award from the National Institutes of Health and multiple abstract and travel awards from the American Society of Hematology.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Dr. Arumugam's impact extends beyond her direct research contributions. Her role in advancing clinical practices is underscored by her licensing and certification in Good Clinical Practice for clinical trials involving drugs and devices. Her expertise in conducting investigator-initiated studies according to FDA regulations and GCP has positioned her as a leader in the field, capable of managing investigational agents and overseeing the ethical conduct of clinical trials.
ACADEMIC CITES
Dr. Arumugam's academic excellence has been recognized with several citations and awards throughout her career. Notably, she has been a recipient of the Cincinnati Children’s Innovation Excellence Award in 2023 and the NHLBI Celebration of 15 Years of Basic and Translational Progenitor Cell Research Poster Award. Her scholarly contributions are also highlighted by her selection as a Translational Sickle Scholar by the National Institutes of Health.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Arumugam's legacy is defined by her dedication to advancing medical science and improving clinical practices. Her pioneering research on pulmonary macrophage transplantation and her contributions to hemoglobinopathy research underscore her commitment to translational science. Looking forward, Dr. Arumugam aims to continue her impactful research, mentor the next generation of scientists, and contribute to significant advancements in pediatric pulmonary biology and therapeutic developments.