Rama Kant

Experienced in toxicology and cancer research, I possess a diverse skill set refined through hands-on experience. Specializing in analyzing the harmful effects of chemical warfare agents, pesticides, and environmental pollutants on ocular, skin, and systemic health, I've contributed to developing advanced experimental models, including in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo systems. My doctoral focus is on proteomic analysis of chemical warfare agents-exposed corneal and limbal tissues, crucial for clear vision. Using state-of-the-art proteomic techniques, I aim to unravel intricate injury pathways and identify therapeutic targets. Furthermore, I've conducted extensive research in prostate, skin, colon, and pancreatic cancers, covering all aspects from experimental design to data interpretation. My diverse experiences equip me with a comprehensive understanding of translational research, enabling effective bridging between laboratory discoveries and practical applications.

• Association of Scientists of Indian Origin "Dr. Laxman Desai Graduate Student Second Best Abstract Award" March 2022".

“Attended and presented a poster at the Society of Toxicology”

March 2022

“Attended and presented a poster at the Society of Toxicology”

March 2023

“Attended and presented a poster at the Society of Toxicology”

March 2024

1. R. Kant, N. Mishra, K. Kandhari, L. Saba, C. Michel, R. Reisdorph, N. Tewari-Singh, M.B. Pantcheva, J.M. Petrash, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Dexamethasone targets actin cytoskeleton signaling and inflammatory mediators to reverse sulfur mustard-induced toxicity in rabbit corneas. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 483 (2024) 116834.

2. N. Mishra, R. Kant, K. Kandhari, D.A. Ammar, N. Tewari-Singh, M.B. Pantcheva, J.M. Petrash, A. Chapla, A. Rajesh. Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Ex Vivo Human Cornea Injury Model and Therapeutic Intervention by Dexamethasone. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 388(2) (2024) 484.

3. N. Mishra, R. Kant, K. Kandhari, N. Tewari-Singh, A. Poojya, R.C. Claire, M.B. Pantcheva, J.M. Petrash, A. Houmam, A. Chapla, A. Rajesh. Establishing a Dexamethasone Treatment Regimen To Alleviate Sulfur Mustard–Induced Corneal Injuries in a Rabbit Model. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 388(2) (2024) 469.

4. K. Kandhari, R. Kant, N. Mishra, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Phenylarsine oxide induced corneal injury involves oxidative stress mediated unfolded protein response and ferroptotic cell death: Amelioration by NAC. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 209 (2023) 265-281.

5. N. Mishra, R. Kant, D.G. Goswami, J.M. Petrash, C. Agarwal, N. Tewari-Singh, R. Agarwal. Metabolomics for identifying pathways involved in vesicating agent lewisite-induced corneal injury. Experimental Eye Research, 236 (2023) 109672.

6. K. Raina, K. Kandhari, R. Kant, R.R. Prasad, N. Mishra, A.K. Maurya, J.T. Fox, S. Sei, R.H. Shoemaker, M.C. Bosland, P. Maroni, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Differential Effect of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Aspirin and Naproxen against TMPRSS2-ERG (Fusion)-Driven and Non-Fusion-Driven Prostate Cancer. Cancers, 2023.

7. R. Kumar, A.K. Maurya, K.D. Parker, R. Kant, H. Ibrahim, M.I. Kabir, D. Kumar, A.M. Weber, R. Agarwal, K.A. Kuhn, E.P. Ryan, K. Raina. Gender-based effect of absence of gut microbiota on the protective efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum-fermented rice bran diet against inflammation-associated colon tumorigenesis. Molecular Carcinogenesis, 61(10) (2022) 941-957.

8. K. Raina, R. Kant, R.R. Prasad, K. Kandhari, M. Tomar, N. Mishra, R. Kumar, J.T. Fox, S. Sei, R.H. Shoemaker, Y. Chen, P. Maroni, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Characterization of stage-specific tumor progression in TMPRSS2-ERG (fusion)-driven and non-fusion-driven prostate cancer in GEM models. Molecular Carcinogenesis, 61(7) (2022) 717-734.

9. S. Paudel, K. Raina, V.R. Tiku, A. Maurya, D.J. Orlicky, Z. You, C.M. Rigby, G. Deep, R. Kant, B. Raina, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Chemopreventive Efficacy of Silibinin against Basal Cell Carcinoma Growth and Progression in UVB-irradiated Ptch +/- mice. Carcinogenesis, 43(6) (2022) 557-570.

10. D. Reed, D. Kumar, S. Kumar, K. Raina, R. Punia, R. Kant, L. Saba, C. Cruickshank-Quinn, B. Tabakoff, N. Reisdorph, M.G. Edwards, M. Wempe, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Transcriptome and metabolome changes induced by bitter melon (Momordica charantia)- intake in a high-fat diet induced obesity model. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, (2021).

11. D.G. Goswami, N. Mishra, R. Kant, C. Agarwal, D.A. Ammar, J.M. Petrash, N. Tewari-Singh, R. Agarwal. Effect of dexamethasone treatment at variable therapeutic windows in reversing nitrogen mustard-induced corneal injuries in rabbit ocular in vivo model. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 437 (2022) 115904.

12. K. Kandhari, S. Paudel, K. Raina, C. Agarwal, R. Kant, M.F. Wempe, C. O'Bryant, R. Agarwal. Comparative Pre-clinical Efficacy of Chinese and Indian Cultivars of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) against Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer Prev., 26(4) (2021) 266-276.

13. D.G. Goswami, N. Mishra, R. Kant, C. Agarwal, C.R. Croutch, R.W. Enzenauer, M.J. Petrash, N. Tewari-Singh, R. Agarwal. Pathophysiology and inflammatory biomarkers of sulfur mustard-induced corneal injury in rabbits. PLoS ONE, 16(10) (2021) 1-19.

14. S.K. Singh, D.G. Goswami, H.N. Wright, R. Kant, I.A. Ali, L.N. Braucher, J.A. Klein, M.G. Godziela, D.A. Ammar, K.M. Pate. Effect of supersaturated oxygen emulsion treatment on chloropicrin-induced chemical injury in ex vivo rabbit cornea. Toxicology Letters, (2021).

15. K. Parker, A. Maurya, H. Ibrahim, S. Rao, P. Hove, D. Kumar, R. Kant, B. Raina, R. Agarwal, K. Kuhn. Dietary Rice Bran-Modified Human Gut Microbial Consortia Confers Protection against Colon Carcinogenesis Following Fecal Transfaunation. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 144, s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published …, 2021.

16. D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, D.A. Ammar, C. Agarwal, J. Gomez, R. Agarwal, L.M. Saba, K.S. Fritz, N. Tewari-Singh. Toxic consequences and oxidative protein carbonylation from chloropicrin exposure in human corneal epithelial cells. Toxicology letters, 322 (2020) 1-11.

17. K.M. Pate, D.G. Goswami, M. Lake, S. Lake, R. Kant, D. Ammar, N. Tewari-Singh. A Supersaturated Oxygen Emulsion for the Topical Treatment of Ocular Trauma. Military medicine, 185(3-4) (2020) e466-e472.

18. D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, D.A. Ammar, D. Kumar, R.W. Enzenauer, J.M. Petrash, N. Tewari-Singh, R. Agarwal. Acute corneal injury in rabbits following nitrogen mustard ocular exposure. Experimental and molecular pathology, 110 (2019) 104275.

19. D. Dhar, K. Raina, R. Kant, M.F. Wempe, N.J. Serkova, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Bitter melon juice-intake modulates glucose metabolism and lactate efflux in tumors in its efficacy against pancreatic cancer. Carcinogenesis, 40(9) (2019) 1164-1176.

20. D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, N. Tewari-Singh, R. Agarwal. Efficacy of anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and pleiotropic agents in reversing nitrogen mustard-induced injury in ex vivo cultured rabbit cornea. Toxicology letters, 293 (2018) 127-132.

21. R.F. da Silva, D. Dhar, K. Raina, D. Kumar, R. Kant, V.H.A. Cagnon, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Nintedanib inhibits growth of human prostate carcinoma cells by modulating both cell cycle and angiogenesis regulators. Scientific reports, 8(1) (2018) 1-14.

22. N. Tewari-Singh, D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, D.A. Ammar, D. Kumar, R.W. Enzenauer, R.P. Casillas, C.R. Croutch, J.M. Petrash, R. Agarwal. Histopathological and molecular changes in the rabbit cornea from arsenical vesicant lewisite exposure. Toxicological Sciences, 160(2) (2017) 420-428.25. 

23. N. Tewari-Singh, D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, C.R. Croutch, R.P. Casillas, D.J. Orlicky, R. Agarwal. Cutaneous exposure to vesicant phosgene oxime: Acute effects on the skin and systemic toxicity. Toxicology and applied pharmacology, 317 (2017) 25-32.

24. N. Tewari-Singh, C.R. Croutch, R. Tuttle, D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, E. Peters, T. Culley, D.A. Ammar, R.W. Enzenauer, J.M. Petrash. Clinical progression of ocular injury following arsenical vesicant lewisite exposure. Cutaneous and ocular toxicology, 35(4) (2016) 319-328.

25. D.G. Goswami, N. Tewari-Singh, D. Dhar, D. Kumar, C. Agarwal, D.A. Ammar, R. Kant, R.W. Enzenauer, J.M. Petrash, R. Agarwal. Nitrogen mustard-induced corneal injury involves DNA damage and pathways related to inflammation, epithelial-stromal separation and neovascularization. Cornea, 35(2) (2016) 257.

26. D. Kumar, N. Tewari-Singh, C. Agarwal, A.K. Jain, S. Inturi, R. Kant, C.W. White, R. Agarwal. Nitrogen mustard exposure of murine skin induces DNA damage, oxidative stress and activation of MAPK/Akt-AP1 pathway leading to induction of inflammatory and proteolytic mediators. Toxicology letters, 235(3) (2015) 161-171.

27. D.G. Goswami, D. Kumar, N. Tewari-Singh, D.J. Orlicky, A.K. Jain, R. Kant, R.C. Rancourt, D. Dhar, S. Inturi, C. Agarwal. Topical nitrogen mustard exposure causes systemic toxic effects in mice. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 67(2) (2015) 161-170.

1. S. Paudel, K. Raina, V. R. Tiku, A. Maurya, D. J. Orlicky, Z. You, C. M. Rigby, G. Deep, R. Kant, B. Raina, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Significantly strong protective efficacy of silibinin against basal cell carcinoma growth and progression. Cancer Res (2022) 82 (12_Supplement): 718.

2. Y. Zhang, X. Zhang, J. Zhang, S. Ali, J. Wu, S. Paudel, K. Raina, V.R. Tiku, A. Maurya, D.J. Orlicky, Z. You, C.M. Rigby, G. Deep, R. Kant, B. Raina, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Chemopreventive Efficacy of Silibinin against Basal Cell Carcinoma Growth and Progression in UVB-irradiated Ptch +/- mice. Carcinogenesis, 43(6) (2022) 557-570, ref. 50 ref.

3. D. Dhar, R. Kant, K. Raina, M.F. Wempe, N.J. Serkova, C. Agarwal, R. Agarwal. Modulation of glucose metabolism and lactate efflux in tumors by bitter melon juice in its efficacy against pancreatic cancer. AACR, 2019.

4. N. Tewari-Singh, D. Goswami, R. Kant, D.A. Ammar, J.M. Petrash, R. Agarwal. Changes in metabolome for identifying pathways involved in arsenical vesicating agent-induced corneal injury. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 59(9) (2018) 2277-2277.

5. D.A. Ammar, D. Goswami, K. Pate, M. Lake, R. Kant, S. Lake, N. Tewari-Singh. Supersaturated Oxygen Emulsion for Healing Chemical Ocular Injury. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 59(9) (2018) 4363-4363.N.

6. D. Goswami, R. Kant, D.A. Ammar, J. Gomez, L.M. Saba, R. Agarwal, K.S. Fritz, N. Tewari-Singh. Mechanism of corneal toxicity from chloropicrin exposure. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 58(8) (2017) 1416-1416.

7. Tewari-Singh, D. Goswami, R. Kant, D. Kumar, D.A. Ammar, J.M. Petrash, R.W. Enzenauer, R.P. Casillas, R. Agarwal. In Vivo Corneal Injury Models with Lewisite and Sulfur Mustard for the Evaluation of Effective Treatments. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 58(8) (2017) 143-143.

8. D.A. Ammar, D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, K.S. Fritz, D.V. LaBarbera, R. Agarwal, J.M. Petrash, N. Tewari-Singh. Beta glucogallin, a plant-derived antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, alleviates corneal injury from chloropicrin exposure. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 58(8) (2017) 1177-1177.

9. K. Raina, S. Kumar, D. Kumar, R.R. Somasagara, R. Punia, R. Kant, R. Agarwal, C. Agarwal. Grape seed extract decreases visceral adiposity and impairs the pro-tumorigenic adipose tissue secretions affecting colorectal cancer growth and progression. AACR, 2015.

10. R. Agarwal, D.G. Goswami, R. Kant, A. Nagvekar, C. Agarwal, R.P. Casillas, D.A. Ammar, J. Petrash, N. Tewari-Singh. Ocular Injuries From Arsenical Vesicant Lewisite Exposure. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 56(7) (2015) 5824-5824.

11. N. Tewari-Singh, D.G. Goswami, D. Dhar, D. Kumar, C. Agarwal, D.A. Ammar, R. Kant, R.W. Enzenauer, J.M. Petrash, R. Agarwal. Nitrogen mustard induces DNA damage and activates signaling cascades that lead to inflammation, epithelial-stromal separation, cell death and neovascularization in corneal tissue. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 55(13) (2014) 4894-4894.

12. R. Kumar, A.K. Maurya, K.D. Parker, R. Kant, H. Ibrahim, M.I. Kabir, D. Kumar, A.M. Weber, R. Agarwal, K.A. Kuhn, E.P. Ryan, K. Raina. Cover Image, Volume 61, Issue 10. Molecular Carcinogenesis, 61(10) (2022) 941-957. ref.

• Citations: 408, h-index- 13