Naren completed his MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Madras, then earned his Ph.D. in Physiology from the National University of Singapore (NUS) under mentor, Dr. Reshma Taneja. His Ph.D. thesis, investigating the role of G9a in skeletal muscle differentiation addressed epigenetic factors in muscle stem cells and muscle progenitor cells. His finding was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Naren joined as a postdoctoral fellow at cc-TDI in November 2015.
His postdoctoral research work involves investigating the mechanisms of a novel epigenetic therapy for children with muscle cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma), culminating in 4 first-author papers (including the cover of Science Signaling). After cc-TDI, Naren served as a Senior Research Investigator at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Human Molecular Genetics (Gene Therapy Program). Naren was involved in translational work using Gene Therapy (Adeno Associated Virus, AAV) to find treatment for Type 2 Diabetes and Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), a rare disease.
We are privileged to have Naren’s muscle biology and stem cell expertise in our group as Senior Research Scientist and Research Operations Lead.
