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Dr. Bikul Das

Founding Director of KaviKrishna since 2010

Dr. Bikul Das is a renowned oncologist and stem cell researcher. After completing his medical training in India, he earned a Ph.D. in Oncology from the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto in 2007. Dr. Das has pioneered research in stem cell altruism, a novel field in biological altruism that challenges the conventional understanding of diseases like cancer and tuberculosis through the lens of Darwin’s evolutionary theory.

Medical Practice and Early Research

  • Since 1994, Dr. Das has been practicing medical oncology through his telemedicine center in Sualkuchi, Assam, his birthplace and the starting point of his medical research career.
  • In 2012, he identified altruistic behavior in embryonic stem cells at Stanford University, marking a significant milestone in stem cell research.
  • Shortly thereafter, he established the KaviKrishna Laboratory at Guwahati Biotech Park, IIT-Guwahati, aiming to position India as a leader in altruistic stem cell research.

Key Contributions and Discoveries

  • 2013: KaviKrishna Laboratory reported the role of stem cell altruism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis dormancy, published in Science Translational Medicine. This groundbreaking work has been validated by laboratories worldwide.
  • 2018: Dr. Das founded the Thoreau Laboratory for Global Health in Boston, continuing his research in collaboration with KaviKrishna Laboratory.
  • 2019: His teams reported that cancer stem cells hijack the mechanism of altruistic stem cells, with findings published in Cancer Research.

Research and Academic Guidance

  • At Forsyth Institute, a Harvard University-affiliated research center, Dr. Das guided four Ph.D. students working on stem cell altruism.
  • His current research includes developing organ-on-chip devices to explore new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for cancer and infectious diseases like tuberculosis.

Awards

  • Young Investigator Award, Stanford University
  • Harold John Edward Award, Canadian Cancer Society
  • Schweisguth Award, International Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOP, Netherlands)
  • Scholar in Training Award, American Association of Cancer Research
  • Hind-Rattan Award, Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Society, New Delhi
  • Grand Challenge Award, Bill Gates Foundation
  • Junior Investigator Award, DPLM, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
  • Antioxidant Squalene Research Grant, Isshogenki International, Hong Kong
  • Excellence in Medicine Award, Assam Down Town University, Assam

Funding

  • National Institute of Health (NIH)-USA
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Laurel Foundation, California
  • Angel investor Deter Beer, Canada

Publications and Contributions

  • Dr. Das has published 75 papers and abstracts in leading international journals and conference proceedings.
  • He has authored two books and three book chapters.
  • He has delivered around 30 invited talks at international seminars, conferences, and universities across 15 countries.

Community Engagement

  • Through his telemedicine care in Sualkuchi, Assam, Dr. Das has provided free consultancy and care to over 500 cancer patients since 1994.
  • He has conducted numerous cancer awareness camps in Assam, significantly contributing to public health education and cancer prevention.
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