Biography
Dr. Amrita Saha Vadher received her Bachelor of Science (2008) and Master of Science (2010) degrees in Biotechnology from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University and Jiwaji University, India, where she graduated at the top of her class. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biotechnology (2018) from Jiwaji University (Defence Research & Development Establishment, India), where she investigated antiviral therapeutic strategies against Chikungunya virus. Following her PhD, Dr. Saha completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, focusing on ocular adenovirus infection and corneal inflammation. She later joined the University of New Mexico as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology then as a Scientist/Health Science and is now a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
Personal Statement
Dr. Saha’s research centers on the molecular basis of adenovirus-host interactions in ocular disease and the identification of viral and host factors that drive pathogenesis. Her work aims to define mechanisms that underlie epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and to advance the development of targeted antiviral strategies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/amrita.saha.1/collections/65990705/public/
Areas of Specialty
Virology
Ocular Virology
Alphavirus and Adenovirus Biology
Host-Virus Interactions
Viral Pathogenesis
Antivirals
Achievements & Awards
2024 Best WIP Presentation Award, MGM, University of New Mexico
2024 Travel Award, American Society for Virology
2023 Travel Award, American Society for Virology
2023 Best Poster Award, University of New Mexico
2022 Young Investigator Award in Microbiology (First Prize), ARVO
2021 Travel Award, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
2018 DRDE-Director’s Award, Defence R&D Organisation
2010 First Class with Distinction (M.Sc. Biotechnology)
2009 First Prize winner of Poster Presentation, ITM Universe, Gwalior, MP
2008 First Class with Distinction (B.Sc. Biotechnology)
Gender
Female
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Bengali