Prakash Radhakrishnan, PhD
Associate Professor, UNMC Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases
Research focus: Glycobiology of pancreatic cancer, autocrine and paracrine cell signaling mechanisms, pancreatic cancer therapeutics
Prakash Radhakrishnan, PhD, is an associate professor in the UNMC Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases. He joined UNMC in 2017 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2020. Dr. Radhakrishnan received a master’s in molecular biology from the University of Madras and graduated with a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He did his postdoctoral training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Dr. Radhakrishnan also holds courtesy appointments in the UNMC departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy; and Pathology and Microbiology.
- PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- MSc in Molecular Biology, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- BSc in Biochemistry, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
A major project in the Prakash Radhakrishnan laboratory is to investigate how truncated O-glycans enhance malignant properties of pancreatic cancer using a novel COSMC knockout KPC mouse model system. Determining the molecular mechanisms by which such altered glycosylation of mucins and other glycoproteins create biologically active compounds that contribute to tumor progression, early metastasis, and immunosuppression is an important focus. Other significant projects include investigating how insulin-like growth factor binding protein-mediated disease progression and muscle wasting (Cachexia) occurs in pancreatic cancer. The long-term goal is to develop an antibody-based immunotherapeutic agent and other targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer.
- Chair, Faculty Recruitment and Retention Committee, UNMC, 2023–2025
- Distinguished Scientist Award, UNMC, 2021
- Research Innovation Award, UNEMED, 2019
- New Investigator Award, UNMC, 2017
- Postdoctoral Scholar of the Year, UNMC, 2011
- Best PhD Dissertation Award, University of Madras, 2006