The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to announce that Harish Kumar, Ph.D., will join the department in December 2025 as a research senior in the research lab of Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery Satoru Osuka, M.D., Ph.D.

Kumar earned his doctorate in biological sciences from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in India and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) , where his work focused on repositioning FDA-approved drugs to uncover new anti-cancer applications. He continued his research training through postdoctoral appointments at Auburn University and later at UAB.

With more than 12 years of experience in cancer drug resistance research, Kumar has experience in developing therapeutic strategies for both acute and chronic myeloid leukemia. His current research focuses on targeting leukemia stem cells with PRMT5 inhibitors and on exploring drug repurposing to overcome treatment resistance.

He has contributed to multiple publications and patents in cancer drug discovery and is committed to translating laboratory findings into improved treatment options for patients with drug-resistant cancers.

In the Department of Neurosurgery, Kumar will continue his work to advance innovative therapies and improve outcomes for patients facing challenging cancers.