This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Feb. 24 for UNMC's 2021 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.
Distinguished Scientist Award
The Distinguished Scientist Award — which is sponsored by the chancellor — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Moorthy Ponnusamy, PhD
- Title: Associate professor in the UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Joined UNMC: January 2006
- Hometown: Poolambadi, Perambalur (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India
Please give a one to three-word description of your research focus:
- Cancer stem cells
- Pancreatic and ovarian cancers
- Therapeutic targets
Why is research important in the world today?
My research is focused on the identification and characterization of cancer stem cell populations in pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Over the last several years, it has been evident that a small population of cancer cells, referred to as cancer stem cells, is responsible for the disease aggressiveness, resistance to therapy and spread of the tumor. Cancer stem cells are difficult to target using conventional therapies because they are drug resistant. We have identified a novel biomarker, pancreatic differentiation 2 (PD2), involved in the maintenance of drug resistance and self-renewal of cancer stem cells in ovarian and pancreatic cancers. Our current research is focused on investigating the impact of PD2 in the self-renewal and drug-resistance of cancer stem cells for this lethal disease.
My research will make a difference because: Cancer stem cells, a small subset of the tumor population, play a central role in tumorigenesis and metastasis in different cancers. Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths; therefore, identifying specific molecular mechanisms contributing to metastasis is highly prioritized. Therefore, my research focuses on understanding the stemness properties in heterogeneous cancer stem cells and how these populations contribute to the metastasis of aggressive cancers. Identifying a biomarker for the maintenance of cancer stem cells would provide critical information for the long-term goal of developing novel targeted therapy against lethal cancers. Furthermore, my other goal is to establish a 3D organoid culture to understand therapy response, since it mimics tumor biology and physiology better than monolayer culture and provides scope for personalized treatment.
The best advice I’ve ever received: “Hard work never fails” This is what Surinder Batra, PhD, my mentor, always tells me. Dr. Batra is my inspiration for hard work. Furthermore, my PhD mentors, Halagowder Devaraj, PhD, and Niranjali Devaraj, PhD, taught me “sincerity and punctuality,” which helped me build my career. In addition, my father always tells me, “Believe yourself, you can archive.”
Three things you may not know about me are:
- My wife, Kanchana, is a software engineer, and we are proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Meghna, and a handsome son, Rudransh.
- I enjoy reading Tamil literature and biographies of successful leaders.
- I enjoy gardening.
My hearty congratulations Anna!
Congratulations Moorthy.
Many congratulations Moorthy. Well deserved. We are proud of you and your work.
Congratulations Dr. Moorty!
This is exciting research!! Thank you for dedicating your life to finding ways to fight this disease!!
Congratulations Dr. Moorthy!
Congratulations Moorthy! Well deserved.
Congratulations Dr Moorthy.
Congratulations Moorthy! Well deserved.
Hearty congratulations Dr. Moorthy!
Congratulations Moorthy
Congratulations!!! Dr. Moorthy
Congrats Dr. Moorthy!.
Congratulations Moorthy.
Hai Dear Dr. Moorthi Ponnusamy PhD Congratulations For Your Achievement🤝👍💐💐💐💐💐💐
Congratulations Moorthy!
Congratulations Moorthy!!!
Congratulations Moorthy. Wishing you all the best. Ramesh
Congratulations Dr Moorthy!
Congratulations Dear Dr. Moorthy!
Congratulations Moorthy
Heartiest Congratulations to you Dr Moorthy!!
You are an inspiration!
Congratulations Dr. Moorthy!
Congratulations, Dr. Moorty.
Congratulations, Moorthy!
Hearty Congratulations to Dr. Moorthy
Hearty Congratulations to Dr. Moorthy