St. Jude People

Roshina Thapa, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate

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Contact Information

Roshina Thapa, PhD

Department of Oncology

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

262 Danny Thomas Place

Memphis,  TN 38105

Affiliations

Department of Oncology

Cancer Predisposition

Education

PhD – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel MS  – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel  BS  –  Pokhara University, Nepal

Short Biography

I am originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. I am a registered medical microbiologist with a keen interest in cancer research. I received my master’s degree from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI), Israel. I investigated how increased expression of kinetochore genes, particularly centromere protein A (CENPA), the gene encoding centromere protein, has been associated with genomic instability and development of cancer. I then moved to Ben Gurion University, Israel where I pursued a PhD in the department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics. My PhD dissertation focused on examining the effects of chronic stress on hematopoietic stem cells that did harbor the gain of function mutations in Tp53.

To dive deeper into the avenue of hematological malignancy, I joined the lab of Dr. Kim E Nichols at St. Jude where I will be investigating how germline mutations in the ETV6 gene contribute to development of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common childhood cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death in children. My research will elucidate how ETV6 variants affect normal blood cell development and contribute to leukemia progression. This study holds significance for public health as it will enhance our understanding of B-ALL, leading to the development of improved classification, treatment, and even prevention of this common and occasionally lethal childhood cancer.

Outside of the lab, I love to do short hikes and cook interesting Nepalese food.

St. Jude Publications