Dr. Surya Haritha Sreekumar is an accomplished biomedical scientist and research strategist with expertise spanning molecular oncology, clinical diagnostics, stem cell applications, and traditional medicinal sciences. She is currently serving as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Haritha Institute and Research Foundation, Chennai (April 2021–Present), where she establishes and leads initiatives in integrative biomedical research and translational science. In this role, she oversees research projects, mentorship programs, and the strategic development of novel therapeutic strategies while fostering partnerships with academic, clinical, and industry stakeholders to accelerate research commercialization and impact.

Previously, she served as Director of Research and Innovation at Rapture Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Noida (2023–2024), leading research and innovation initiatives in molecular oncology and clinical diagnostics, and as Research Scientist at Rapture Biotech (2019–2020), where she conducted advanced hands-on and computational training in genomic and proteomic workflows including PCR, ELISA, Western blotting, and Flow Cytometry. She also serves as Principal Research Advisor at Dr. Vini Herbal Sciences (December 2024–Present), providing expert consultancy on herbal sciences and molecular therapeutics.

Research & Publications

Dr. Sreekumar has developed a robust multidisciplinary research profile encompassing molecular biology, nanotechnology, phytochemistry, and clinical diagnostics. Her research interests include cancer therapeutics, antimicrobial resistance reversal, organotypic tissue culture models, and bioactive compound evaluation. Her scholarly output includes 16 peer-reviewed journal publications, addressing topics such as phytochemical analysis and pharmacological activities, gold nanoparticles for cancer detection and treatment, 3D cancer tissue models for drug screening, aptamers for lung cancer detection, green-synthesized nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications, and bio-cosmetic formulations. She has authored a monograph titled "Putting the Brakes on Cancer Growth".

Scientific Research & Investigations

Her active research portfolio encompasses six major investigations: synthesis of phytogenic nanoparticles from Costus igneus endophytes for antimicrobial resistance reversal against ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae; comparative cytotoxicity profiling of Bacopa monnieri extracts on MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells in collaboration with Malabar Cancer Centre; quantitative antioxidant evaluation of Hylocereus undatus, Nigella sativa, and Beta vulgaris extracts; comparative efficacy study of menstrual hygiene products; evaluation of cfDNA for fetal sex determination via Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT); and development of 3D organotypic tissue culture models for anti-cancer drug screening.

Technical Expertise & Competencies

Dr. Sreekumar possesses advanced technical proficiency in molecular biology and bioinformatics methodologies, including PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Southern Blotting, and Cell Sorting. She is skilled in computational approaches including molecular docking, protein-ligand interaction modeling, SWISS-MODEL, AutoDock, BLAST, and PyMOL. Her interdisciplinary expertise extends to clinical and food microbiology, phytochemical characterization, nutraceutical research, and food quality control.

Academic & Professional Credentials

Dr. Sreekumar holds a B.Tech in Cancer Biotechnology from B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, an MD in Alternative Medicine and Research from Alternative Medicine Institute, Jaipur University (Gold Medalist), and a PhD in Naturopathy and Alternative Medicine and Research from IMU University, Malaysia. She has completed multiple postgraduate diplomas spanning clinical pathology, embryology and reproductive sciences, medicinal plant pharmacology, biochemistry in cancer, clinical genomics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, medical microbiology, and patent law. Her specialized training includes CRISPR-Cas9 applied techniques at Rapture Biotech and analytical food testing and certification.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Dr. Sreekumar's recognition includes Icon of Asia – Young Scientist Awardee (2022), FemmeTimes Women in Science Leadership Honour (2022), Indian Noble Award in the Scientific Excellence Category, Research Fellow – World Book of Records (2024), National Mentor of Scientific Projects Awardee (2024), Doctor of Letters – Honorary Title in Integrative Biomedical Research, and Start-Up Trailblazer and Wonder Women Awards in Entrepreneurship in Science (2023–2024). She has received national recognition from MTTV India, DRDC, and WWF India. She holds the position of National Vice President – World Human Rights Protection Commission (India and USA) and serves as Academic Ambassador – International Model United Nations (IMUN). Additional honors include First Place in Scientific Model Presentation on Female Foeticide at Biogenesis, BSAU Chennai, and participation in the COVID-19 Global Health Policy Conference at Manipal University, Jaipur.

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

As Founder and CEO of Haritha Institute and Research Foundation, Dr. Sreekumar has established an institution dedicated to integrative biomedical research and translational science. She has led interdisciplinary research initiatives in molecular oncology and clinical diagnostics, resulting in multiple innovative approaches to cancer treatment. She has developed and optimized genomic and proteomic workflows, enhancing laboratory efficiency and data accuracy in molecular biology research. Her contributions extend to participating in national symposia on emerging biotechnologies, conducting and presenting at international webinars with WHO, ICMR, and other premier institutions, and delivering practical workshops in protein modeling and computational biology. She serves as an Evaluator for the National Screening Round of Smart India Hackathon 2025.

Eligibility for Young Scientist Award

Dr. Surya Haritha Sreekumar demonstrates exceptional research productivity, translational impact, and scientific leadership. Her comprehensive portfolio encompasses 16 peer-reviewed publications, active research investigations spanning molecular oncology and biomedical innovation, advanced technical expertise in molecular biology and bioinformatics, and demonstrated entrepreneurial vision through institutional leadership. Her recognition by prestigious national and international bodies, combined with her contributions to cancer research, antimicrobial resistance reversal, and integrative medicine, exemplifies commitment to evidence-based innovation and translational science.

Based on her credentials and achievements, Dr. Surya Haritha Sreekumar is eligible for consideration for the Young Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels, particularly in recognition of her contributions to molecular oncology, nanotechnology, translational research, and scientific entrepreneurship.