Asst. Prof. Mini Dahiya: Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty) at Panjab University, India

Dr. Mini Dahiya is a passionate academic and neuropharmacology researcher with over six years of experience in pharmaceutical sciences. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty) at the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, she is also a Ph.D. scholar under the guidance of Prof. Anil Kumar. Her work integrates molecular neuroscience, pharmacology, and disease modeling to explore novel therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease. Recognized for her academic excellence, Dr. Dahiya is a gold medalist in M.Pharmacy and has presented her research at prestigious platforms including the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). Her work is grounded in both basic science and translational goals, contributing meaningfully to the neurodegenerative disease research landscape in India and globally.

Online Profiles

Scopus Profile

Dr. Mini Dahiya actively maintains a professional digital footprint to share her research and academic work. Her Google Drive portfolio provides open access to select publications, conference materials, and project updates (view here). She is also a registered pharmacist with the Haryana State Pharmacy Council (Reg. No. 26370), and a member of ISTAART, the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ID: 200067175673).

University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Her Scopus record includes 15 published documents, which have collectively received 17 citations, reflecting the growing recognition of her contributions to neuropharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences. She holds an h-index of 3, indicating a consistent citation impact across multiple works.

Education

Dr. Dahiya’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from G.V.M. College of Pharmacy, Sonipat, affiliated with UHS Rohtak, where she achieved a solid academic standing. She then pursued her M.Pharmacy in Pharmacology at Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, graduating with distinction as a Gold Medalist in 2019. Her doctoral research, currently underway at Panjab University, focuses on targeting insulin signaling in Alzheimer’s-type dementia, blending behavioral neuroscience, pharmacological intervention, and biochemical assay techniques. Throughout her studies, she has demonstrated consistent academic performance, intellectual curiosity, and a growing research impact in neuropharmacology.

Research Focus

Her primary research revolves around the insulin signaling mechanism in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the context of sporadic dementia. Using ICV-STZ-induced models, she investigates how brain insulin resistance contributes to memory loss, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. She is exploring phytochemical-based therapeutic interventions such as β-pinene and fenchone, aiming to reverse or mitigate neurodegenerative changes through multi-targeted strategies. In addition, her research portfolio includes drug repurposing, nanomedicine formulation, and mitochondrial biology, with a translational focus on developing novel treatment approaches for age-related cognitive disorders.

Experience

Dr. Dahiya brings a strong blend of academic, research, and pharmaceutical experience. Since July 2020, she has served as Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty) at Panjab University, contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacology education while actively conducting research in the Pharmacology Lab. From 2019 to 2020, she worked as an Assistant Professor at Shri Gopichand College of Pharmacy, Baghpat, where she delivered lectures and mentored students in pharmaceutical sciences. Earlier, from 2014 to 2017, she gained industry exposure as a pharmacist at Sunor Medi International, Sonipat. This combination of teaching, laboratory, and clinical experience shapes her as a well-rounded pharmaceutical professional.

Research Timeline

Dr. Mini Dahiya began her formal research journey during her M.Pharmacy (2017–2019) with a dissertation on herbal nanoformulations for prostate cancer therapy. In 2020, she enrolled as a Ph.D. scholar at Panjab University, focusing on experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease. Over the years, she has contributed to several collaborative research projects involving natural products, drug repurposing, and mechanistic studies related to memory impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage. Her growing publication record, conference presentations, and textbook authorship demonstrate a continuous and evolving engagement in pharmaceutical research from bench to bedside.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Dahiya’s academic and research excellence has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards and fellowships. She was honored with a Gold Medal during her M.Pharm degree and secured First Rank in the Panjab University Ph.D. entrance exam. She has been a PU Ph.D. Fellow (2020–2023) and received international travel grants from the Alzheimer’s Association to attend AAIC conferences in Amsterdam (2023) and Philadelphia (2024). Notably, she served as an abstract review committee member at AAIC 2024—an exceptional recognition for an early-career researcher. Her participation in SERB-DST ‘Karyashala’ workshops and national-level conferences further underlines her commitment to academic excellence.

Top-Noted Publication

Among her numerous peer-reviewed publications, the most cited and influential work is the study titled “β-pinene ameliorates ICV-STZ induced Alzheimer’s pathology via antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and mitochondrial protective effects”, accepted in the European Journal of Pharmacology. This comprehensive research combines in-silico docking studies, behavioral assessments, and biochemical evaluations to validate the neuroprotective potential of β-pinene in Alzheimer’s disease models. The paper highlights the multi-target pharmacological approach and strengthens the relevance of phytochemicals in neurodegenerative disease therapy, positioning it as a cornerstone of her current research impact.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Dahiya, M., Kumar, A., Yadav, M., Chauhan, S. (2025). β-pinene ameliorates ICV-STZ induced Alzheimer’s pathology via antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and mitochondrial protective effects: In-silico and in-vivo studies. European Journal of Pharmacology. (Accepted)

2. Dahiya, M., Goyal, C., Kumar, A. (2025). Insulin Resistance and Alzheimer’s Disease: Unraveling the Link Between Metabolism and Memory. Journal of Pharmacology & Clinical Research, 10(5), 555800. (Accepted)

3. Mini, M. (2024). Exploring the neuroprotective effects of fenchone against ICV-STZ-induced sporadic Alzheimer’s disease in rats. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 20, e091350.

4. Dahiya, M., Yadav, M., Kumar, S., Chauhan, S., Lamba, D. (2024). GC–MS Analysis and Fabrication of Nanoparticles of Buchanania lanzan Oil for the Anticancer Activity. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 17(10), 4699–4706. [DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2024.00724]

5. Yadav, M., Parle, M., Lamba, D., Kumar, S., Dahiya, M., Joshi, K. (2024). Neuroprotective effect of dark chocolate on ketamine-induced psychosis. Journal of Advanced Zoology, 45(2).

6. Yadav, M., Dahiya, M., Dagar, J., Singh, N., Sharma, N., Rawat, N., Dhakla, P., Minocha, N., Kumar, A. (2022). Role of mitochondria in brain functions and related disorders. Exploration of Medicine. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2022.00110]

7. Kaushik, J., Yadav, M., Sharma, N., Jindal, D.K., Joshi, K., Dahiya, M., Deep, A. (2022). Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of Emblica officinalis. Anti-Infective Agents, 20(4). [DOI: 10.2174/2211352520666220318091023]

8. Yadav, M., Kumar, A., Kumar, N., Jindal, D.K., Dahiya, M. (2021). Possible biomarkers and contributing factors of psychosis: A review. Current Pharmacology Reports, 1–12.

9. Dahiya, M., Kumar, A., Yadav, M. (2020). Role of insulin signaling in Alzheimer’s disease. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Science, 16(1), 555926.

10. Yadav, M., Dahiya, M., Rawat, N., Kumar, A. (2020). Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR): An Emerging Drug Target for Neurological Disorders. SunText Review Neuroscience Psychology, 1(3), 120.

11. Dhull, S., Ishu, Dahiya, M., Kadian, M., Yadav, M. (2019). Authentication of edible oils using analytical techniques. Clinical Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, 1, 035–040.