Former Pune university alumna makes it to Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for science and healthcare

Priyanka Joshi, who studied at the bioinformatics and biotechnology department (IBB) at SPPU, is now working on a research which focuses on identifying tiny molecule drugs and metabolites, constituted in the human brain, which have the capacity to modulate the formation of protein pieces, called amyloid beta protein clumps, considered to be the trigger for Alzheimer's disease.

Twenty-nine-year-old Priyanka Joshi, an alumna of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has been listed in the Forbes’ list of 30 Under 30 Europe in science and healthcare. A postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, Joshi, has dedicated her life to research to find a drug that can prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Priyanka Joshi. As one among the top scientific brains in Europe, her work is being recognised for future implications of having substantial contribution to the society. Every year, the Forbes Magazine, lists a number of individuals under 30, who have made substantial contribution in their respective fields. (HT PHOTO)

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

Joshi who studied at the bioinformatics and biotechnology department (IBB) at SPPU, is now working on a research which focuses on identifying tiny molecule drugs and metabolites, constituted in the human brain, which have the capacity to modulate the formation of protein pieces, called amyloid beta protein clumps, considered to be the trigger for Alzheimer's disease. She has developed a small molecule drug-like library, which will begin a drug discovery programme at the centre for misfolding diseases, University of Cambridge.

As one among the top scientific brains in Europe, her work is being recognised for future implications of having substantial contribution to the society. Every year, the Forbes Magazine, lists a number of individuals under 30, who have made substantial contribution in their respective fields.

Joshi did her MSc in biotechnology from SPPU and a PhD in biophysics from the University of Cambridge. Currently, she holds the position of Everitt Butterfield research fellow in biochemistry at Cambridge.

Prior to this recognition, Joshi has also been honoured with a number of awards like the Salje medal for the best PhD in sciences in 2015; Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellow in 2011-2014; young investigator in 2013 from Alzheimer’s drug discovery foundation; Indian academy of sciences summer research fellow in 2009 and 2011, and best 2010 award from association of biotech led enterprises (ABLE) and department of biotechnology, government of India for proposal on delivery of oral insulin. She had also received the biochemical society scientific outreach grant in 2015.