During my PhD, I worked on synthesizing and characterizing PLA-based block copolymers for co-encapsulation of biologics and chemotherapeutics, and evaluated their efficacy against breast cancer and AML through in vitro and in vivo studies. This included extensive experience in cell culture assays, tumor model development, drug administration, and pharmacokinetics in mice.
In my postdoctoral research, I focused on multifunctional metal oxide core–shell nanomaterials for near-infrared and tumor microenvironment-responsive combination therapy in triple-negative breast cancer, gaining expertise in chemodynamic, photothermal, and photodynamic approaches along with advanced inorganic nanomaterial characterization.
Overall, my work has resulted in high-impact publications and a strong skill set in nanomaterial-based drug delivery, characterization, and biological evaluation in cancer nanomedicine.
EDUCATION
B.Tech + M.Tech Dual Degree Nanotechnology 2011-2016 Amity University Uttar Pradesh CGPA 8.97 Gold Medalist
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering 2016-2022 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary, Bioengineering, Cancer Research
Bioceramic and Antimicrobial Metal Oxide Reinforced Nanocomposites for Maxillofacial Bone Fixation Rahul Sharma, Neha Mehrotra, Inderdeep Singh, Kaushik Pal ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025 This study develops third-generation poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites with tailored degradation, osteoconductivity, and mechanical properties to address the issue of metallic maxillofacial implants, eliminating secondary removal surgeries while providing superior biocompatibility and reducing stress shielding. Hydroxyapatite (HAP), bioceramic-natural-bone-mimicking eggshell-derived nanoparticles (ESNP), and antimicrobial metal oxides (TiO 2 and ZnO) were synthesized using wet chemical precipitation, ball milling, sol–gel, and hydrothermal techniques, respectively, and incorporated into PLA matrices to develop PLA/ES (PE), PLA/HAP (PH), PLA/ES/TiO 2 (PET), PLA/HAP/TiO 2 (PHT), PLA/ES/ZnO (PEZ), and PLA/HAP/ZnO (PHZ) using solvent casting. Structural and compositional analyses of the synthesized nanomaterials and composites were performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). Mechanical testing revealed that PE and PH composites achieved tensile strengths of 48.66 ± 1.27 MPa and 52.71 ± 0.45 MPa, tensile moduli of 1.94 ± 0.03 GPa and 2.14 ± 0.13 GPa, and Shore D hardness of 79.29 ± 1.31 SHN and 81.25 ± 0.90 SHN, respectively. The incorporation of NPs not only improved surface roughness (2.53 μm) and enhanced hydrophilicity (∼65°) but also exhibited increased biodegradation rates (PEZ: 14.83 ± 0.49%, PHZ: 10.48 ± 0.35% over 9 weeks). Cytocompatibility evaluations using osteoblast (MG-63) cells confirmed ≥ 80% cell viability, with hemolysis rates ≤ 2.82%, demonstrated enhanced osteoconductivity through improved cell adhesion and proliferation, and superior antibacterial activity for the composites containing metal oxides, highlighting their potential suitability for low-load-bearing zones of the maxillofacial region (maxilla and zygoma) implants.
One-Pot Synthesis of Tumor-Targeted Gold-Doped Cu1.92S Plasmonic Nanodots for Enhanced NIR-Triggered, pH-Responsive PTT/PDT/CDT Neha Mehrotra, Kaushik Pal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2025 Copper-based sulfides are attractive candidates for NIR I and II responsive photothermal therapy but often suffer from high hydrophobicity, suboptimal photothermal conversion, and poor biostability and biocompatibility. In the present work, a rapid, one-pot synthesis method was developed to obtain Au-doped Cu1.92S (ACSH NDs) dual plasmonic nanodots. ACSH NDs exhibit excellent peroxidase-like catalytic activity for pH-responsive •OH radical generation along with efficient glutathione depletion under tumor microenvironment mimicking conditions. Upon exposure to NIR-I laser light, ACSH NDs demonstrate high photothermal conversion efficiency of 47.44% as well as significant photodynamic effect through singlet oxygen generation. The in situ hyaluronic acid capping endows the nanodots with efficient and highly selective uptake in breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Simultaneous chemodynamic and NIR-triggered photothermal/photodynamic activities of ACSH NDs result in synergistic tumor cell death with 98% tumor inhibition in a single-dose mouse model study. Therefore, the developed ACSH NDs show remarkable potential for single nanoplatform-actuated drug-free multimodal cancer therapy.
Tumor targeted nanohybrid for dual stimuli responsive and NIR amplified photothermal/photo-induced thermodynamic/chemodynamic combination therapy Neha Mehrotra, Kaushik Pal Biomedical Materials Bristol, 2024 The combination of photodynamic (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for cancer treatment has gathered a lot of attention in recent years. However, its efficacy is severely limited by elevated levels of hypoxia and glutathione (GSH) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Multifunctional nanoparticles that can help remodel the TME while facilitating PDT/CDT combination therapy are the need of the hour. To this effect, we have developed O2 self-supplying, free radical generating nanohybrids that exhibit near infra-red (NIR) triggered photothermal (PTT)/photo-induced thermodynamic (P-TDT) and CDT for efficient breast cancer treatment. The surface of nanohybrids has been further modified by biointerfacing with cancer cell membrane. The biomimetic nanohybrids have been comprehensively characterized and found to exhibit high 2,2′-azobis-[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIPH) loading, GSH depletion, oxygen self-supply with TME responsive AIPH release. Biological activity assays demonstrate efficient cellular uptake with homotypic targeting, excellent hemo- and cytocompatibility as well as high intracellular reactive oxygen species generation with synergistic cytotoxicity against tumor cells. The multifunctional nanohybrid proposed in the present study provides an attractive strategy for achieving NIR responsive, tumor targeted PTT/P-TDT/CDT combination therapy for breast cancer treatment.
Effect of friction stir processing on mechanical, in vitro degradation, and biocompatibility behaviour of stir casted Mg-Zn-rare earth oxide composites for biodegradable implant applications Rakesh Kumar, Neha Mehrotra, Kaushik Pal Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2024 The current work takes the benefit of utilizing a composite approach by reinforcing Mg with Zn, Cerium oxide - a rare earth and bone-friendly ceramic, and bioactive hydroxyapatite to develop magnesium-based MMCs for high structural integrity and low degradation inside the human body via stir casting technique in a protective Ar-SF 6 environment. The friction stir processing (FSP) technique was employed to tailor the properties of as-cast Mg composites, resulting in further grain refinement and better dispersion of reinforced materials. Phase and microstructure analysis were analyzed via XRD , FESEM, and optical microscopy. During tensile tests, as-cast Mg-5Zn-1HA-1.5CeO 2 improved 68.6% in yield strength and 16.3% in ultimate tensile strength . After FSP, the same composite resulted in an overall improvement of 114.6% in yield strength and 31.9% in ultimate strength compared to as-cast pure Mg. Dispersion of inert bioceramics within the Mg matrix results in higher polarization resistance as per Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). At the same time, a remarkable 81.6% reduction in H 2 emission and an 84.4% decrement in corrosion rate were found during the immersion study for Mg-5Zn-1HA-1.5CeO 2 composites. All Mg-based composites exhibited no cytotoxicity as cell viability evaluated via MTT assay was found to be greater than 80% for 50% and 25% extract concentrations. The composite’s hemolysis rate was below 5%, indicating acceptable hemocompatibility. This work provides insight into developing rare earth oxide-incorporated Mg composites with better mechanical capabilities and degradation resistance while avoiding the long-term cytotoxicity of rare-earth materials.
Projects as PI:
1. “Harnessing bimetallic peroxide nanomaterials and drug repurposing strategies for cancer stem cell elimination and multimodal cancer theranostics” - DST WISE PDF (12.06.2025 to 01.09.2025)
2. “Leveraging chalcogen-based metal free nanozymes and data driven drug repurposing for targeted elimination of cancer stem cells and enhanced cancer therapy” - DST Inspire Faculty Fellowship (02.09.2025 to present).
