From her time at Clarkson to her work at the cutting edge of cancer research, Ankita’s journey shows how curiosity, risk-taking and a strong foundation combine to build meaningful careers.
Today, Ankita serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at BC Cancer Research Centre, where she is applying single-cell approaches to study hepatocellular carcinoma, focusing on mutational landscapes, chromatin architecture, and stem cell dynamics in liver malignancies. By uncovering molecular drivers of liver cancer progression, she hopes to contribute to developing targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes.
In addition to her research, Ankita is a dedicated educator and mentor. Throughout her PhD, she taught and guided undergraduate students in cell biology, molecular biology, and ecology labs at Clarkson University. She is committed to science communication and nurturing the next generation of researchers, striving to integrate education with cutting-edge biomedical research.
Ankita completed her PhD at Clarkson University, where she investigated the therapeutic potential of small extracellular vesicles for intervertebral disc degeneration under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Lufkin and Dr. Petra Kraus in the Biology Department.
She says:
During my five years there, I had the privilege of building friendships that truly became family. Clarkson’s uniquely diverse and inclusive environment exposed me to cultures and perspectives from all over the world, shaping both my personal and professional growth. I was fortunate enough to train under Dr. Lufkin and Dr. Kraus, whose mentorship shaped me into the independent researcher I am today. Working in Dr. Lufkin’s regenerative medicine lab strengthened my passion for scientific discovery, while Dr. Kraus’s guidance further refined my scientific thinking and approach to interdisciplinary research.
And one of her fondest memories?
Some of my fondest memories come from the teaching labs, where I had the chance to teach and mentor students under the guidance of Dr. Kring and Dr. Benson. And of course, nothing compares to the fall season in Potsdam; you can never get enough of the foliage at Clarkson. The vibrant colors, the crisp air, and the campus transforming into a postcard-perfect landscape are moments I miss the most.