Research Specialist Garima Chauhan started out studying plants before moving into her current career in medical research. “I had a plant science background, but wanted to explore new fields. In early 2023, I received an opportunity to work in the DeClerck Laboratory at CHLA as a volunteer,” Chauhan says.
Working in the lab led by Cancer and Blood Disease Institute physician and investigator Yves DeClerck, MD, allowed Chauhan to learn about extracellular vesicles, membrane-bound particles released by cells and found in all types of body fluids. She also learned that these small particles are actively released by tumor cells and play a critical role in the formation of the pre-metastatic niche (PMN), ultimately contributing to metastatic progression. Owing to their ability to target recipient cells and induce phenotypic changes, EVs serve as key mediators of intercellular communication and hold significant potential as therapeutic tools. “It was very interesting to me because it’s a field in which research is evolving nonstop and every day you find something new,” Chauhan explains.
During this time, she met Paolo Neviani, PhD, director of the Extracellular Vesicle and Nanoparticle Analytics (EV-NP) Core at CHLA. Chauhan soon joined this core as a research specialist. “My responsibilities involve isolating extracellular vesicles from different biological fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, and urine, and then characterizing and analyzing those vesicles for specific research projects,” Chauhan says. Currently, via the core, she is working on a project for regenerative medicine investigator Ching-Ling (Ellen) Lien, PhD, exploring the role of extracellular vesicles within zebrafish hearts.
Chauhan says she is grateful for the supportive environment she’s found at CHLA. “With everything I do, I feel encouraged and that helps me grow,” she explains. “It’s a very good thing to be in an environment where you see yourself thriving.”
