University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States
Profile
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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Ambika Verma embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Punjab University, Chandigarh (2007–2010), where she laid a strong foundation in biology and allied sciences. She pursued her Master’s (2010–2013) and Ph.D. (2013–2016) in Biotechnology from Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. Her doctoral research, guided by Dr. Poonam Shirkot, focused on the production and purification of indigenous bacterial enzymes and their applications, leading to substantial publications and recognition through the Best Doctoral Thesis Award by SADHNA Society, India.
🧪 Professional Endeavors
Dr. Verma has accumulated over 9 years of post-doctoral research experience across reputed institutions in India and the United States. She held pivotal roles including Senior Research Fellow and National Post-doctoral Fellow at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, contributing significantly to plant protection and pathogen diagnostics. Her international career advanced at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where she served as a Research Assistant (2019–2021) in Microbiology & Immunology and currently continues as a Post-doctoral Fellow (2021–present) in the Department of Geriatrics.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Verma's interdisciplinary research spans plant protection, bacterial pathogenesis, and neuroinflammation in aging and dementia. Her current work under Dr. Jeanne Wei and Dr. Gohar Azhar at UAMS centers on P. gingivalis-LPS induced inflammasome activation in Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Previously, under Dr. Youssef Aachoui, she explored canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathways in response to bacterial infections. Her earlier work at ICAR-CPRI focused on diagnostic techniques against potato pathogens, blending molecular diagnostics with agricultural biotechnology.
📈 Impact and Influence
Dr. Verma has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, with impactful research disseminated across areas of immunology, gerontology, plant pathology, and biotechnology. Her work has been integral in understanding both host-pathogen interactions and neuroimmune mechanisms in aging, thereby contributing to two major domains of global health: food security and neurodegeneration. She has received numerous honors, including the Best Poster Award by GSA's ESPO (2023) and a Travel Award (2024) in biological sciences, affirming her growing influence in the field of gerontology.
📚 Academic Citations and Recognitions
Her scholarly impact is evidenced by multiple awards for best theses, project coordination roles in DST-funded initiatives, and national level recognition such as qualifying the ASRB National Eligibility Test (NET). She has also served as a judge at academic fairs and student research events, such as the UAMS Student Research Day (2025) and Little Rock Science & Humanities Fair (2020), further reflecting her dedication to academic service and outreach.
🧰 Technical Skills and Methodologies
Dr. Verma possesses a robust skill set that includes molecular cloning, PCR diagnostics, microbial cultivation, and inflammasome activation assays. She has proficiency in handling both plant and mammalian systems, bridging agricultural sciences with biomedical research. Her experimental expertise includes work on bacterial enzyme isolation, protein purification, LPS-based inflammation models, and advanced cellular assays for neuroinflammation and pathogen response.
🧑🏫 Teaching and Mentorship
With teaching experiences spanning from 2013 to the present, Dr. Verma has mentored students in both India and the U.S. She has contributed to academic instruction at Dr. YSP UHF, ICAR-CPRI, and UAMS, particularly in the Departments of Geriatrics and Microbiology & Immunology. Her mentorship has supported junior researchers, graduate students, and trainees, emphasizing scientific rigor, cross-disciplinary knowledge, and ethical research practices.
🌐 Leadership, Membership, and Service
Dr. Verma is a member of the Gerontological Society of America (2023–2025) and holds lifetime memberships with scientific societies such as SADHNA and the Association of Biotechnologists of HP. Her leadership roles include project coordination, peer mentoring, and participation in competitive grant-writing programs like Path 2K at UAMS. She has been a proactive participant in institutional and national scientific communities, demonstrating both administrative and collaborative leadership.
🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions
With a rare combination of plant biotechnology roots and gerontology-focused translational research, Dr. Verma is uniquely positioned to advance cross-disciplinary scientific inquiry. Her ongoing investigations into neuroimmune mechanisms in aging populations are expected to inform therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Through her dual expertise, she continues to inspire integrated solutions for health, agriculture, and molecular science, laying the foundation for impactful academic, clinical, and public health advancements.
📚 Selected Publications
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Purification and characterization of thermostable laccase from thermophilic Geobacillus thermocatenulatus MS5 and its applications in removal of textile dyes
Authors: A Verma, P Shirkot
Journal: Sch Acad J Biosci 2 (8), 479-485
Year: 2014
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Neutrophil caspase-11 is essential to defend against a cytosol-invasive bacterium
Authors: SB Kovacs, C Oh, VI Maltez, BD McGlaughon, A Verma, EA Miao, ...
Journal: Cell Reports 32 (4)
Year: 2020
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Isolation and characterization of thermophilic bacteria in natural hot water springs of Himachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: A Verma, M Gupta, P Shirkot
Journal: The Bioscan 9 (3), 947-952
Year: 2014
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P. gingivalis-LPS Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mediated by Neuroinflammation through Oxidative Stress
Authors: A Verma, G Azhar, X Zhang, P Patyal, G Kc, S Sharma, Y Che, JY Wei
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 (2), 950
Year: 2023
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Shigella OspC3 suppresses murine cytosolic LPS sensing
Authors: C Oh, A Verma, M Hafeez, B Hogland, Y Aachoui
Journal: IScience 24 (8)
Year: 2021