Celebrating Postdoc Appreciation Week: Q&A with Shalini Chopra, PhD, and Apurva Pandey, PhD
To celebrate Postdoc Appreciation Week, we invited Shalini Chopra, PhD, and Apurva Pandey, PhD, to answer a few questions about their work. Both are postdocs in the Evans lab in the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and were recently named 2023 Ones to Watch by the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
Chopra received a master’s degree in nuclear medicine in 2010 and a doctorate in biophysics in 2019 from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Pandey received an MSc at the University of Delhi in 2016, and her doctorate at Stony Brook University, NY in 2021.
Shalini Chopra, PhD
Q: What brought you to UCSF?
I came to know about UCSF and its research during my visit to San Francisco in 2016. I was excited by the translational research done here. So, after my graduation I applied to UCSF for my postdoc position and joined the Evans lab in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging.
Q: Tell us about your research.
My current research work focuses on developing radiolabeled antibodies and small molecules for cancer theranostics. A major part of my research at UCSF is focused on developing CDCP1-directed immunotherapies for prostate and bladder cancer.
Q: What impact do you envision your research having on patient care?
I feel that my research work can add to the current standard of care and improve the quality of life and survival in patients with cancer.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of doing research at UCSF?
UCSF has a rich and vibrant academic community. I feel that it is very easy to reach out to people for collaborations and everyone is happy to help. The work environment at UCSF is supportive and nurturing.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
I like going for long walks when I am not working. In my free time I paint and do embroidery. I love music and recently I have acquired a new interest in collecting vinyl records.
Chopra’s most recent paper:
Covalent Proteins as Targeted Radionuclide Therapies Enhance Antitumor Effects. ACS Cent Sci. 2023 Jun 28.
Apurva Pandey, PhD
Q: What brought you to UCSF?
During my PhD at Stony Brook University in New York, under the guidance of Dr. Eszter Boros, I specialized in the interdisciplinary fields of bio-inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, and nuclear medicine. I focused on non-invasive diagnostics and therapy (theranostics) and researched developing metal-based antibiotics to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. I utilized xenometal-siderophore conjugates as a Trojan Horse to deliver imaging probes and therapeutics. Upon the successful completion of my PhD in November 2021, continuing my passion for molecular imaging, I wanted to shift my focus to cancer research as a postdoctoral scholar and so I joined the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at UCSF.
Q: Tell us about your research.
UCSF's rich environment provides an ideal platform for deepening my understanding of cancer imaging and treatment. I became a part of Dr. Michael Evans' laboratory in February 2022, in the dynamic field of cancer theranostics, where I focus on using cellular biomarkers to advance cancer imaging and treatment with radiolabeled probes. One significant project involves developing Restricted Interaction Peptides (RIPs) as therapeutic and diagnostic tools for various cancers and infections. RIPs are compact peptides that offer advantages over conventional radioligand therapies, such as continuous radioisotope accumulation, extended tumor presence, and the ability to target specific extracellular endoproteases and hold great promise for precision radioisotope delivery to tumors, advancing oncological precision medicine.
Q: What impact do you envision your research having on patient care?
I have always held the belief that combating diseases like cancer is a journey that can't be accomplished overnight and certainly isn't the sole responsibility of one individual. It's a long and challenging path, and even if my research contributes to moving us from point A to B in this journey, it's a pursuit worth undertaking. My ultimate aspiration is to witness the probes I am crafting in the laboratory transition from the bench to the bedside, ultimately benefiting patients.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of doing research at UCSF?
Collaborative research is undeniably the highlight of my experience at UCSF. As a postdoc with just about a year under my belt in the Evans lab, I have had the privilege of engaging in six collaborative projects. These experiences have not only allowed me to broaden my skill set and explore diverse approaches to addressing cancer, but they've also provided me with a valuable platform to connect with leading PIs in their respective fields.
Even as a newcomer to these various domains, I felt encouraged to share my thoughts, perspectives, and insights. The welcoming and approachable nature of all my collaborators has not only facilitated my personal growth but has also opened doors to numerous professional opportunities.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
I am a proud Ravenclaw; when not in the lab, I can be found rereading the Harry Potter books and expanding my collection of magical merchandise. Beyond my wizarding pursuits, I enjoy cooking, interior décor and watching space videos. Since my move to the West Coast, I have also discovered the joy of exploring the outdoors through hiking, offering a delightful escape from research duties.
