ICTO 2026

Biography:

Dr. Venketesh K. Panda is an emerging cancer researcher with a strong focus on cancer immunology, tumor microenvironment, tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Cancer Immunotherapy at the School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India. His research is centered on deciphering the complex molecular and cellular interactions that drive tumor progression and immune escape, with particular interests in tumor-associated macrophages, cancer stemness, signaling networks, and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
Dr. Panda has contributed to research published in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals, including Molecular Cancer, a leading journal in oncology, with two publications in Molecular Cancer. His scientific contributions have attracted more than 600 citations, with a Google Scholar h-index of 7 and i10-index of 7. He has also served as a peer reviewer for international journals associated with leading scientific publishers, including BBA, Frontiers, Dove Medical Press, Elsevier, and Springer Nature.
He is a recipient of the prestigious DST-INSPIRE Senior Research Fellowship and has been recognized as a University Gold Medalist for academic excellence. His broader research interests encompass cancer immunotherapy, tumor–immune interactions, tumor microenvironment remodeling, cancer stem cells, molecular signaling, immune evasion, therapeutic resistance, and novel targeted and natural-product-based therapeutic approaches.
Through his research and scientific engagement, Dr. Panda aims to contribute to the development of mechanism-driven and translational strategies for improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes.