Priyanka Newase

Biography

I am from Pune, a city located in the western region of India. I received my Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from the Savitribai Phule Pune University and Master’s degree in Virology from the National Institute of Virology (NIV). My master's project focused on the molecular clock and phylogeography analysis of the Indian Ocean lineage of Chikungunya virus. 

I was introduced to toxicology during my master's, but my interest in Toxicology piqued when I was working at the National Institute of Virology as a project assistant. I performed assays to analyse the antiviral properties of compounds extracted from plants. During this time, I realized the scope of various pharmacologically active compounds that can be used as antivirals, as well as the toxic effects these compounds can have on human health as well as the environment. This is why I decided to pursue PhD in toxicology.

I chose The University of Iowa’s Human toxicology program because of its interdisciplinary nature and the freedom to choose a lab depending on one’s research interest. I believe that graduate training in toxicology will aid me in establishing a career in academia. I want to continue working on the research areas that fascinate me and which can be used for the benefit of human health.

Advisor: Paul McCray, PhD

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BSc, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India 2016
MS, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India 2018