Dr Sharmila Bapat, a scientist in cancer stem cell biology, has been serving as the Director of the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, since April 17, 2024. NCCS has been established as an autonomous organisation aided by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. A faculty member at NCCS since 2001, Dr Sharmila is recognised as a pioneer in cancer stem cell research, with her work focusing on unravelling cellular and molecular mechanisms in ovarian cancer. Her groundbreaking research aims to generate new knowledge and opportunities in precision cancer therapy. She has authored numerous research publications and holds a US patent and two Indian patents, demonstrating her contributions to translational research. Dr Sharmila is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (Allahabad), the Indian Academy of Sciences (Bengaluru), and the Maharashtra Academy of Sciences. She has received numerous national and international accolades, most recent of which is the Shri RJ Kinarivala Cancer Research Award awarded by the Gujarat Cancer Society in 2023. With a strong vision for advancing cancer research, Dr Sharmila is focused on leading cutting-edge innovations in precision oncology.
