Mr. VARUNR
Program Manager & Research Associate
Post Graduate in Biotechnology with more than 14 years of experience in Healthcare, Life-science Research and Program Management. During this career, Mr. Varun has accomplished technical skills and expertise in Animal Cell Culture, Tissue Engineering, Nanotechnology, Molecular Biology, Proteomics, Ethnopharmacology and In vitro Diagnostics.
He started his research career on apoptotic induction and anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal plants on various cell lines for drug development applications. He was successful in establishing a primary cell culture model of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cells for an ICMR funded project on anti BPH activity of traditional medicinal plants for which suitable cell lines are not available for in vitro screening. His expertise in establishing primary stem cell cultures include human adult bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells & its differentiation to osteoblasts in vitro and rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells & its differentiation to pancreatic islets. Mr. Varun’s experience also includes toxicology, cytotoxicity and cell adhesion studies for Tissue Engineering applications. His expertise has also contributed to the establishment of prevalence of a non-infectious disease (Lepidopterism) which mimics the fatal monsoon fever epidemics in Kerala. His research findings has been published in many national and international journals like PLOS one & Material Science and Engineering and has also guided projects for many post graduate students. He is trained in animal experimental techniques and is a qualified Radiological Safety Officer (Research Applications) from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Currently at Aster Research Foundation, Mr. Varun is involved in the development of a point of care diagnostic device for detection of Insulin Resistance and in the development of a bio-ink for 3D bio-printing of tissue constructs for drug testing as well as therapeutic applications.
Mr. Varun also possess profound experience in Research Lab Management, Budgeting & Finance, Procurement & Materials Management, HR and Facility Management, Research Collaboration Programmes, Patent filing, Project Management & Liaisoning, Lab Safety, Statutory Compliance and all aspects of Research Lab operations. He is the Member Secretary of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of MIMS Research Foundation registered with the CPCSEA, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India and has also served as the Member Secretary of the Institutional Biosafety Committee registered with the RCGM, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. Mr. Varun was instrumental in obtaining the Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation recognition for the institute from Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Govt. of India and is conversant with the statutory and accreditation processes applicable to research organisations.
Mr. Varun has also played a significant role in Dr. Moopen’s Medical College securing the award of prestigious BioNEST Bio-incubator scheme of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India making it India’s first standalone Medical College to obtain this achievement.
