SUMMARY
Gouri Mahajan, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., researches biobanking and molecular and genomic biomarkers in mental health conditions and cancer. Biobanking is the collection of biological material and health information. With more than 22 years of experience in neuroscience and cancer biology, Dr. Mahajan recognizes the critical role biobanking has in translational research. She leverages her extensive scientific experience to lead, secure funding and enhance services for the Biospecimen Accessioning and Processing Core, and the Pathology Research Core.
Dr. Mahajan's research has the recurring theme of genomic testing and biomarker discovery in translational clinical research.
Focus areas
- Biobanking. Dr. Mahajan's expertise focuses on developing, expanding and leading biorepository facilities. She establishes standardized methods for acquiring and storing high-quality biosamples with relevant data for biomarker discovery.
- Molecular and genomic biomarkers in cancer. Dr. Mahajan identifies and analyzes molecular and genomic biomarkers to enhance cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. She conducts genomic testing and bioinformatic analyses to discover biomarkers in translational clinical research, with a focus on next-generation sequencing data.
- Translational research in psychiatry. Dr. Mahajan investigates the molecular basis of psychiatric disorders through whole-transcriptome studies using next-generation sequencing technology. This technology uses postmortem human brain samples. She has published a pioneering research study providing significant insights into the complex analysis of ribonucleic acid sequencing data in the human hippocampus related to major depressive disorders.
Significance to patient care
Biobanking is the collection and storage of biological samples, such as blood or tissue, with relevant data for research purposes. These biobanked samples help scientists understand conditions better by providing valuable data. By studying these samples, researchers may identify new drug targets and develop treatments with a tailored approach. This is especially important for conditions that currently have no effective therapies. Biobanking may lead to the discovery of new, targeted treatments that address unmet medical needs.
Dr. Mahajan's goal is to offer a high-quality biorepository service to Mayo Clinic investigators. This biorepository service provides customized, fit-for-purpose provisions for all biosample needs, including clinical trials support.
Professional highlights
- International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories:
- Member, program task force, regional and annual conference, 2024-present.
- Member and presenter, 2019-present.
- Regional ambassador for the Americas, 2024-2026.
- Mayo Clinic in Arizona:
- Director, Biospecimen Accessioning and Processing Core, 2024.
- Director, Pathology Research Core, 2024.
- University of Mississippi Medical Center:
- Principal investigator, COVID-19 biobank, funded by the Robert M. Hearin Foundation, 2021-2024.
- Member, COVID-19 clinical task force, 2022-2023.
- Member, Clinical Research Professional Group Leadership Committee, 2021-2023.
- Chair, Biospecimen Access Committee, 2020-2023.
- Co-principal investigator, All of Us Program Southern Network, funded by the National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director, 2022-2023.
- Co-principal investigator, Mississippi perinatal COVID-19 databank, funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2021-2023.
- Principal investigator, Biobank Mississippi Research Program, funded by Mayo Clinic, 2018-2023.
- Travel Fellowship Support Award, Workshop on Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Georgia State University, 2019.
- Young Scientist Excellence Award, Midsouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society, 2018.
- Research Poster Award, Mississippi Academy of Sciences, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017.
- Lee Holder Award for Excellence in Graduate Allied Health Education, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, 2016.