Shashwati Basak's Biography

Shashwati Basak, Lead Investigator & Head-Clinical Genomics, BBRC, Syngene Intl Ltd

Dr Shashwati Basak obtained a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and studied DNA-protein interactions, especially to decipher novel transcription activation mechanisms in prokaryotes. She carried out postdoctoral research from The Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, San Diego and Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto. Research in these two places was focused on understanding the intriguing complexities of cancer signaling pathways. She worked as a Research Scientist in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), San Francisco on multiple projects involving translational research in Cancer. Dr. Basak has published her research work in numerous top peer-reviewed International Journals such as Cell, Molecular Cell etc. She has also served as a Reviewer for many American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Journals like Cancer Research and Clinical Cancer Research and written and obtained International Grants.

Dr. Basak relocated to India and moved into the current role as the Head and Lead Investigator of Clinical Genomics Group in Exploratory Clinical and Translational Research (ECTR), Biocon Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development Center (BBRC), Bangalore. Dr. Basak started the ECTR department in 2010 and played an instrumental role in setting up the Clinical Genomics lab. Current research interests involve assay development and qualification of Clinical Biomarkers, especially in Oncology and Immuno-oncology and its use in clinical sample analysis during drug development, while collaborating with multiple internal teams and Global stakeholders. In her additional roles, Dr. Basak also manages Regulatory paperwork and clinical sample logistics to handle Global clinical trial sample shipments for BMS. Dr. Basak has hosted and participated in many internal and external Women in Science (WIS) and BBRC Outreach activities and events and in mentoring and providing scientific leadership to fellow scientists and team members. With over 14 years of experience in basic science, translational research and industry, Dr. Basak continues to further her understanding of how cancer signaling pathways work and how novel biomarkers would be helpful in aiding the drug development process for diseases in Cancer.