Indian Australian scientist, Jagtar Singh, has been contributing to the field of cancer research for the past seven years at Charles Darwin University (CDU).
His main research focus is to analyse cytokine expression in prostate cancer patients undergoing hormonal and radiation therapy.
Mr Singh is about to finish his PhD degree at the School of Psychological and Clinical Sciences at CDU which is providing educational services in a range of disciplines to over 24,000 national and international students from more than 60 countries.
“I wasn’t aware that the university was using my picture to promote and attract science students from the Indian subcontinent. It is great to see my studentship being recognised; yes, it feels good!” he told SBS Punjabi.
“I can definitely see scientific research as part of the future. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Mr Singh received an Australian Government Research Training Program scholarship that is offered to students of exceptional research potential to undertake a Higher Degree Research (HDR) at an Australian university.
“So far it’s been a great experience. I can’t thank my university enough for this opportunity. They have provided me with world-class research facilities and a scholarship to pursue my studies.”
“The goal of our clinical study is to assess the levels of some specific proteins in blood plasma before and after hormone and radiotherapy.”
“This clinical research is supported by the College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University in a collaborative arrangement with Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre and Royal Darwin Hospital.”
Jagtar Singh is immensely proud to be described as a ‘Sikh scientist’ at the university campus.
Source: Supplied
"It’s great to see that recognition not just because I look different in a turban but also that I am working to make some contribution in the field of cancer research," he says.
“When I joined research a few years ago, I was optimistic that I’ll be able to make some constructive difference in people’s lives who are suffering from cancer and related disease."
“I don’t have an intention to go abroad for any postdoctoral scientific jobs. Actually, I’ll want to stay here in the research sector to pay back to the Australian community who have shown faith in me."
During his Master degree, Mr Singh was involved in the identification of molecular and immuno-diagnostic cancer markers in the Northern Territory population.
Source: Supplied
Mr Singh also holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar in Punjab, India.
CDU is a young Australian institution that has achieved national and international recognition in a number of areas including for graduate employment and research impact.
The Times Higher Education ranks CDU among the world’s best 150 universities aged less than 50 years old and in the top 2 per cent of universities globally.
