Faculty & Staff
Dr. Vidya Prasad Nimbalkar
Ph D
NIH Fogarty INSIGHT fellow/ Research Scientist
Languages
English, Hindi, Marathi
- Overview
- Projects
- Publications
- Other Contributions
I am a cancer biologist with interdisciplinary training in molecular biology, biophysics, and oncology, with a research focus on tumor microenvironment driven therapy resistance. My doctoral research established a strong foundation in tumor heterogeneity and translational pathology through studies of the peritumoral brain zone in glioblastoma, providing insights into spatial and cellular diversity beyond the tumor core.
During postdoctoral training, I expanded my expertise to breast cancer biology, with a particular emphasis on breast cancer in young women. My work explored menopausal status specific differences in breast cancer and the unique biological features of postpartum breast cancer, integrating hormonal, molecular, and microenvironmental perspectives.
I am currently an NIH Fogarty INSIGHT Fellow, leading spatial tumor microenvironment studies in postpartum breast cancer within a globally collaborative research framework. These experiences have strengthened my skills in spatial profiling technologies, biomarker discovery, grant development, and research leadership. My ongoing work builds directly on this foundation and represents a key step toward establishing an independent research program. My long-term goal is to develop a sustainable and globally relevant research that applies molecular and spatial approaches to improve therapeutic strategies towards better outcomes for women with aggressive breast cancers.
Qualification/ Education
- PhD in Neuro-Oncology (2015-2020)
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2. Master of Science in Biophysics (2003-2005)
Dr. B A M University, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
3. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Zoology and Environmental Science (1999-2002)
Dr. B A M University, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Experience
- NIH Fogarty INSIGHT fellow (July 2025- June 2026)
Working on Project entitled, “Spatial Profiling of Tumor Microenvironment in Postpartum Breast Cancer: Implications for Prognosis and Targeted Therapies”
2. Research Scientist -I, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore (March 2024- June 2025)
Working towards understanding tumor microenvironment of postpartum breast cancer
Worked towards identification of biomarkers for early detection and progression of breast cancer using Liquid biopsy samples
3. Research associate, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore (March 2021- March 2024)
Working towards understanding the cross talk between nuclear receptors in breast cancer
4. PhD scholar, National Institute of Mental Health and Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore (July 2015 to December 2020)
PhD research mainly involved analysis and correlation of clinical and pathological parameters related to glioblastoma along with cell culture and molecular biology experiments focused on biomarker discovery
5. ICMR JRF, St. John’s Research Institute, Bangalore (July 2013 to June 2015)
Worked towards the identification of biomarkers in the progression of kidney stone disease using proteomics approach
6. Biophysics lecturer, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad (January 2006 to May 2009)
Engaged in teaching membrane transport, hemodynamics and biophysical aspects of physiology and demonstrating physiology and hematology experiments to medical, dental and physiotherapy students.
Areas of interest
Tumor microenvironment, Breast cancer, Cancer immunotherapy, Therapy resistance
Field of Expertise
Spatial profiling- Digital spatial profiling, Visium HD, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Fluorescence in-Situ Hybridization (FISH), Mammalian cell culture , Molecular biology
Fellowship & Membership
Fellowships and Awards
- Recipient of NIH-Fogarty INSIGHT fellowship 2025-2026
- Received travel grant from SERB-ITS and ICMR to attend the international conference, SABCS 2023.
- Received Dr. Subimal Roy Award for best published paper in Neuropathology in AOCN NPSICON 2021 conference
- Received travel grant from DBT-CTEP to attend the international conference, ASNO 2017
- Received travel grant award for oral presentation in ISNOCON, 2017.
- Qualified GATE, 2013
- Qualified ICMR JRF examination, 2012
Membership
- Lifetime member of Immune-oncology Society of India
- Member of American association of Cancer Research (AACR)
- Member of Society for Immunotherapy of cancer (SITC)
- Member of European society of Medical Oncology (ESMO)
- NIH Fogarty INSIGHT fellow (July 2025- June 2026)
Working on Project entitled, “Spatial Profiling of Tumor Microenvironment in Postpartum Breast Cancer: Implications for Prognosis and Targeted Therapies”
2. Research Scientist -I, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore (March 2024- June 2025)
Working towards understanding tumor microenvironment of postpartum breast cancer
Worked towards identification of biomarkers for early detection and progression of breast cancer using Liquid biopsy samples
3. Research associate, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore (March 2021- March 2024)
Working towards understanding the cross talk between nuclear receptors in breast cancer
4. PhD scholar, National Institute of Mental Health and Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore (July 2015 to December 2020)
PhD research mainly involved analysis and correlation of clinical and pathological parameters related to glioblastoma along with cell culture and molecular biology experiments focused on biomarker discovery
5. ICMR JRF, St. John’s Research Institute, Bangalore (July 2013 to June 2015)
Worked towards the identification of biomarkers in the progression of kidney stone disease using proteomics approach
6. Biophysics lecturer, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad (January 2006 to May 2009)
Engaged in teaching membrane transport, hemodynamics and biophysical aspects of physiology and demonstrating physiology and hematology experiments to medical, dental and physiotherapy students.
Tumor microenvironment, Breast cancer, Cancer immunotherapy, Therapy resistance
No groups and associations specified.
| S.I. No | Project Title | Project Lead | Year of Initiation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spatial Profiling of Tumor Microenvironment in Postpartum Breast Cancer: Implications for Prognosis and Targeted Therapies. | Dr Vidya P Nimbalkar | 2025 | ongoing |
Postpartum breast cancer as a distinct oncologic entity: linking physiological tissue remodelling to tumor biology and clinical translation
Vidya P. Nimbalkar, Snijesh V. P., Akash Dash, Meenakshi Jothikumar, Anjaney J. Pandey, P. S. Hari, Aruna Korlimarla, Sabarinathan Radhakrishanan & Jyothi S. Prabhu Repurposing statins in combination therapy for effective ablation of metastatic breast cancer
Rifat Aara, Neeha Sinai Borker, Jyothilakshmi Sajimon, Seemadri Subhadarshini , Snijesh VP, Vidya P. Nimbalkar, Manju Moorthy, Archana P. Thankamony, Athul Krishnan R , Mohit Kumar Jolly, Jyothi S. Prabhu, Radhika Nair Spatial profiling reveals unique immune microenvironment in premenopausal triple-negative breast cancer associated with therapy response
Vidya P. Nimbalkar, V. P. Snijesh, Savitha Rajarajan, C. E. Anupama, S. Mahalakshmi, Annie Alexander, Deshica Dechamma, Manju Moorthy, Gopalakrishna Ramaswamy, Rakesh Ramesh, B. S. Srinath & Jyothi S. Prabhu Differential role of glucocorticoid receptor based on its cell type specific expression on tumor cells and infiltrating lymphocytes
Snijesh VP, Nimbalkar VP, Patil S, Rajarajan S, Anupama CE, Mahalakshmi S, Alexander A, Soundharya R, Ramesh R, Srinath BS, Jolly MK, Prabhu JS BRCA1 expression, its correlation with clinicopathological features, and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Akkamahadevi Patil, Sharada Patil, C. E. Anupama, Savitha Rajarajan, Vidya P. Nimbalkar, Usha Amirtham, G. Champaka, M. N. Suma, Geetha V. Patil, Ashwini Nargund, V. R. Pallavi, Linu Jacob, C. S. Premalatha, Jyothi S. Prabhu A comparative analysis of clinicopathological features and survival between pre and postmenopausal breast cancer from an Indian cohort
Vidya P Nimbalkar 1, Savitha Rajarajan 1 2, Snijesh V P 1 2, Annie Alexander 1, Rohini Kaluve 1, Sumithra Selvam 3, Rakesh Ramesh 4, Srinath B S 5, Jyothi S Prabhu 6 Premenopausal women with breast cancer in the early post-partum period show molecular profiles of invasion and are associated with poor prognosis.
Nimbalkar VP, Snijesh VP, Rajarajan S, Alexander A, Kaluve R, Ramesh R, Srinath BS, Prabhu JS. An androgen receptor regulated gene score is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition features in triple negative breast cancers
Rajarajan S, Snijesh VP, Anupama CE, Nair MG, Mavatkar AD, Naidu CM, Patil S, Nimbalkar VP, Alexander A, Pillai M, Jolly MK, Sabarinathan R, Ramesh RS, Bs S, Prabhu JS Detection of differentially expressed circulating micro-RNA among Indians with Type 2 Diabetes using a global expression profile and systematic analysis
Sucharita Sambashivaiah, Ashwini Priyanka, Vidya Nimbalkar2, Snijesh V.P., Jyothi Prabhu Chitinase 3-Like 2: A Novel Biomarker Expressed in Peritumoral Brain Zone of Glioblastoma Is Associated With Tumor Recurrence and Poor Patient Prognosis
Nimbalkar VP, Kruthika BS, Sravya P, Rao S, Sugur HS, Chickabasaviah YT, Somanna S, Arivazhagan A, Kondaiah P, Santosh V. Differential gene expression in peritumoral brain zone of glioblastoma: role of SERPINA3 in promoting invasion, stemness and radioresistance of glioma cells and association with poor patient prognosis and recurrence
Vidya P Nimbalkar, Banavathy S. Kruthika, Palavalasa Sravya, Shilpa Rao, Harsha S Sugur, Brijesh Kumar Verma, Yasha T Chickabasaviah, Arimappamagan Arivazhagan, Paturu Kondaiah, Vani Santosh Low mitochondrial DNA copy number is associated with poor prognosis and treatment resistance in glioblastoma
Palavalasa Sravyaa, Vidya Prasad Nimbalkar, Nandaki Nag Kanuri, Harsha Sugur, Brijesh, Paramita Kundu, Shilpa Rao, A.S.Uday Krishna, Sampath Somanna, Paturu Kondaiah, Arimappamagan Arivazhagan, Vani Santosh High frequency of H3K27M immunopositivity in adult thalamic glioblastoma
Shilpa Rao, Nandaki N. Kanuri, Vidya Nimbalkar, Arimappamagan Arivazhagan, Vani Santosh No Others Contributions details available.