This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 29 for UNMC’s 2026 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator recipients.
Sudipta Panja, PhD, will receive a New Investigator Award. New Investigator Awards go to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past year have secured their first independent funding from a national source. New investigators also must demonstrate scholarly activity such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
- Name: Sudipta Panja, PhD
- Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, UNMC College of Medicine.
- Joined UNMC: July 2020
- Hometown: Kolkata, India
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
- Targeted mRNA delivery
Why is research important in the world today?
Research is important because it helps us understand problems and develop better solutions for people’s lives. In my research, I study mRNA-based therapies that can deliver precise instructions to disease-associated cells, helping the body produce treatments where they are needed. This approach could improve the treatment of diseases such as infections, genetic disorders and cancer. Ultimately, research transforms scientific discoveries into safer, more effective and personalized therapies that can improve human health.
My research will make a difference because:
My research will make a difference by addressing the decades-long challenge of developing a cure for HIV. Current medicines can control HIV replication but cannot remove the viral DNA hidden inside long-lived reservoir cells. My research combines CRISPR gene editing with tissue- and cell-targeted lipid nanoparticles designed to deliver CRISPR components to the HIV reservoirs. By targeting both the right tissues and the specific reservoir cells, I aim to improve the precision of HIV DNA elimination and advance the field toward a functional cure.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Never think of research as a journey you take alone. Learn from your colleagues and students, let them inspire you to think differently and ask better questions, and always remain open to learning. Science advances most meaningfully when we learn from each other and contribute together.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I enjoy troubleshooting electronics.
- I’m fond of long drives.
- I love farming.