Assam’s Royal Global University Bags Three ICMR Start-up Grants

Guwahati: In a proud moment for Assam’s Royal Global University (RGU), three of its faculty members have received prestigious start-up grants from the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR for the year 2024 -25.

The grants, amounting to over ₹1 crore in total, aim to support early-stage researchers in biomedical and health sciences.The selected researchers are Dr Chongtham Sovachandra Singh, Dr Anuj Kumar Borah, and Dr Pundarikaksha Das. All are faculty members at RGU’s Royal School of Biosciences and the Royal School of Life Sciences.

Each project involves collaboration with co-investigators both from within the university and other institutes.Dr Singh, from the Department of Biotechnology, will study how raw areca nut exposure can lead to tumour formation. His research uses a mouse model to observe molecular changes.

The project has received ₹45.06 lakh. He is working in partnership with Prof Amlan Das of the Department of Microbiology.Dr Anuj Kumar Borah, also from Biotechnology, is researching the use of phytosomes to help regulate lipid metabolism. His co-investigators include Dr Biswajyoti Borah from the College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Khanapara, and Dr Manas Jyoti Kapil from the Royal School of Pharmacy.

The project has been allotted ₹38.01 lakh.Meanwhile, Dr Pundarikaksha Das from the Department of Forensic Science is using molecular dynamics simulations to better estimate the time since death. This research, in collaboration with Dr Dharmeswar Barhoi of the Department of Zoology, has been granted ₹20 lakh.

RGU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof A.K. Buragohain, congratulated the awardees and urged them to continue their work with focus and dedication. The Dean of Research and Development, Prof Rama Ranjan Bhattacharjee, called the ICMR recognition a proud achievement for the university.

Associate Dean Prof Amlan Das also appreciated the efforts of the researchers and highlighted the university’s support in nurturing quality research.These grants mark an important milestone for RGU in promoting innovative and meaningful scientific work in the region.