Bio

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University in the laboratory of Professor Paul A. Wender, where I work on the development of delivery technologies for RNA therapeutics, including mRNA, circular RNA (circRNA), and oligonucleotide-based medicines. My current research focuses on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and transporter-based systems for targeted nucleic acid delivery, with the goal of advancing the translation of genetic medicines.

I received my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from CSIR–Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), India. During my doctoral training, I specialized in nanomedicine, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, and bioanalytical method development, with a particular focus on developing nanocarrier-based therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Prior to my Ph.D., I earned both my Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacy degrees from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, India.

My research interests span RNA therapeutics, drug delivery, nanomedicine, lipid nanoparticle engineering, pharmacokinetics, and translational pharmaceutical sciences. I have experience in the design, formulation, and biological evaluation of diverse delivery systems, including lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, polymeric carriers, and other nanomaterial-based therapeutic platforms. My work integrates formulation science, biological evaluation, and preclinical studies to improve the delivery and performance of therapeutic agents.

I have authored more than 35 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Nature Communications, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Nanomedicine, and Bioanalysis. I am particularly interested in developing innovative delivery approaches that bridge fundamental research and clinical translation, with the ultimate goal of improving treatment options for patients.

Honors & Awards

  • DST Inspire Fellow, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India

Stanford Advisors

Contact

  • Academic
    pavan123@stanford.edu
    University - Scholar Department: Chemistry Position: Postdoctoral Scholar

Additional Info

Links

All Publications

  • Discrete Immolative Guanidinium Transporters deliver mRNA to specific organs and red blood cells. Nature communications Li, Z., Ee, A., Amaya, L., Hamad, J. L., Yadav, P. K., Wang, S. K., Chang, H. Y., Wender, P. A. 2025; 16 (1): 7055

    Abstract

    RNA medicine is an emerging groundbreaking technology for the prevention and treatment of disease. However, tools to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) and other polyanions (circRNA, saRNA, pDNA, CRISPR-Cas, reprogramming factors) are required to advance current RNA therapies and address next generation challenges. Existing delivery systems often suffer from laborious syntheses, limited organ selectivity, formulation complexity, and undesired inflammatory responses. Here, we report novel mRNA delivery systems termed Discrete Immolative Guanidinium Transporters (DIGITs), which are synthesized convergently in as few as 4 steps. Unlike most cationic (ammonium) delivery systems, DIGITs are based on cationic guanidinium moieties, which complex mRNA at acidic pH and undergo irreversible neutralization at physiological pH to enable efficient RNA release. Systematic evaluation of structural variations and formulations have led to DIGIT/mRNA complexes that selectively target lung, spleen, and immature red blood cells in peripheral blood in female mice model. DIGIT/mRNA delivery systems show minimal toxicity based on cell viability and biochemical assays, supporting their future utility in biomedical applications.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-62200-3

    View details for PubMedID 40750796

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4092-2320