Why did you choose the University of Pittsburgh?
University of Pittsburgh has a strong and collaborative research environment, especially within MMG. I was excited by the opportunity to work in a department with excellent expertise in virology, molecular biology, and host–pathogen interactions. Pitt also offers outstanding resources and a supportive scientific community, which made it an ideal place for me to continue developing my research in SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.
Education & Training
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Ph.D in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2019
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Msc. in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2016
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Bsc. (Hons.) in Bitechnology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 2014
Research Interest Summary
Microbial Genetics, Evolution, and Drug Resistance; Molecular Basis of Cancer and Genetic Diseases; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Microbial and Viral Pathogenesis
Research Interests
My research interests focus on understanding host–pathogen interactions and the molecular mechanisms that regulate viral infection, replication, and pathogenesis. My postdoctoral research has centered on virology, particularly SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, where I have been interested in studying how viruses interact with host cells and how these interactions influence infection outcomes.
I am especially interested in applying molecular biology, cell biology, microscopy, and virological approaches to investigate viral replication, protein function, and host responses to infection. My broader scientific background in cancer biology has also shaped my interest in cellular signaling, disease mechanisms, and the development of experimental models to address biologically relevant questions.
Through my research, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of viral diseases and host defense mechanisms, with the long-term goal of supporting the development of improved therapeutic and preventive strategies.
Publications
Shanmugapriya S, da Silva ES, Campbell JA, Boisjoli MP, Naghavi MH. Dynactin 1 negatively regulates HIV-1 infection by sequestering the host cofactor CLIP170. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2021;118(43):e2102884118.
Santos da Silva E, Shanmugapriya S, Malikov V, Gu F, Delaney MK, Naghavi MH. HIV-1 capsids mimic a microtubule regulator to coordinate early stages of infection. The EMBO Journal. 2020;39(20):e104870.
Mitra S, Shanmugapriya S, Santos da Silva E, Naghavi MH. HIV-1 exploits CLASP2 to induce microtubule stabilization and facilitate virus trafficking to the nucleus. Journal of Virology. 2020;94(14):e00404-20.
Shanmugapriya, Vijayarathna S, Sasidharan S. Functional validation of downregulated microRNAs in HeLa cells treated with Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract using different microscopic approaches: A morphological alteration-based validation. Microscopy and Microanalysis. 2019;25(5):1263–1272.
Shanmugapriya, Chen Y, Kanwar JR, Sasidharan S. Anticancer activity and molecular mechanism of polyphenol rich Calophyllum inophyllum fruit extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Nutrition and Cancer. 2017;69(8):1308–1324.