Ribosomal Homeostasis and RNA Binding Factors
Ribosomes are the essential workhorses of the cell that synthesize protein. We are interested in gaining a mechanistic insight into factors that regulate protein synthesis by controlling ribosomal assembly. There are ~200 trans-acting factors that aid in ribosomal subunit assembly. We are currently investigating the structure-function relations of cytoplasmic 60S ribosomal maturation factors and their deregulation in cancers and  ribosomopathies. We are also probing the distinct regulation of the IMP family of mRNA binding oncofetal proteins. These mechanistic and functional studies will aid in identifying novel drug targets for disease therapeutics.

DNA Repair Mechanisms and
​Cell Cycle Kinases
Genomic stability is integral to maintaining cellular fitness and survival. Homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair of DNA strand breaks is crucial for the maintenance of genomic stability. It is imperative that HR is tightly regulated to ensure that spurious HR or insufficient HR response does not lead to erroneous repair and chromosomal rearrangements associated with cancers. We have recently uncovered novel regulation of HR mediators (RPA, RAD52, BRCA2) specifically in mitosis that plays an important role in maintaining chromosome segregation fidelity and in G2 to M entry. The interplay of DNA repair factors and cell cycle-specific kinases are currently being studied.

Cancer and Ribosomopathies
We aim to understand the mechanisms that drive cancer growth and progression with a focus on nucleic acid metabolism. The cancer predisposition of a set of inherited ribosomal disorders called ribosomopathies are also poorly understood. The long-term goal of our research program is to translate our mechanistic findings into a substantive therapeutic outcome.