Asst. Prof Subodh Kumar: Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, United States
Dr. Subodh Kumar is a neuroscientist and molecular biologist specializing in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research, with a particular emphasis on the role of microRNAs in synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) El Paso. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying synapse loss and neuronal dysfunction in AD, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Dr. Kumar has made pioneering contributions by identifying and characterizing synaptosomal microRNAs (syn-miRs) and mitochondrial microRNAs (mito-miRs) in human and mouse models of neurodegeneration. His work has been published in high-impact journals and has earned national recognition through NIH funding and foundation grants.
Online Profiles
Subodh Kumar has a total of 4,398 citations overall, with 3,039 citations received in the last five years. His h-index is 28 overall and 24 for the last five years. Additionally, he has an i10-index of 65 overall and 38 for the last five years.
Dr. Kumar maintains an active research presence across multiple academic platforms. His NCBI bibliography lists over 30 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals covering topics in neurobiology, aging, and molecular medicine. His evolving research can also be followed via Google Scholar and ORCID, where his citation metrics reflect increasing impact in Alzheimer’s disease research. He is registered on eRA Commons with the user ID subkumar, enabling his participation in NIH grants as a principal investigator. These profiles reflect his interdisciplinary reach across neuroscience, aging, molecular genetics, and biomarker discovery.
Education
Dr. Kumar earned his Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) degrees in Biology and Biotechnology, respectively, from Chaudhary Charan Singh (CCS) University in Meerut, India. He completed his PhD in Molecular Biology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, where he investigated the regulatory role of miR-122 in hepatitis C virus pathogenesis. His postdoctoral training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in Lubbock, TX, marked a significant transition into neuroscience, where he focused on microRNA-mediated synaptic regulation in Alzheimer’s disease. This strong cross-disciplinary foundation has positioned him at the intersection of molecular neuroscience and translational research.
Research Focus
Dr. Kumar’s research is centered on decoding the regulatory functions of microRNAs at the synaptic and mitochondrial level in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. His laboratory explores the expression, function, and mechanistic impact of synapse-localized miRNAs (syn-miRs) and mitochondrial-localized miRNAs (mito-miRs), integrating multi-omics platforms such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and miRNA profiling. Using advanced methods like stereotaxic surgery for lentiviral delivery, patch-clamp electrophysiology, behavioral testing, electron microscopy, and mass spectrometry, his lab uncovers how specific miRNAs contribute to synaptic degradation, neurotransmitter imbalance, and cognitive decline. A key goal is to identify miRNAs with dual roles as both therapeutic targets and biomarkers, including miR-501-3p and miR-502-3p, which have shown promising results in AD mouse models and human clinical samples.
Experience
Dr. Kumar has over 15 years of progressive research experience in molecular neuroscience, virology, and translational medicine. He is currently an Assistant Professor at TTUHSC El Paso, where he leads an NIH-funded lab focused on synaptic miRNA function in Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to this, he served as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow at TTUHSC Lubbock, contributing to several NIH-funded studies on aging and neurodegeneration. He also held multiple research fellowships at PGIMER, India, where he explored miRNA involvement in liver disease and viral hepatitis. Earlier in his career, he taught biotechnology at IIMT College and conducted research at CDRI, Lucknow. This diverse academic and research background informs his integrative, translational approach to neuroscience.
Research Timeline
Dr. Kumar began his scientific career studying microRNA biology in the context of hepatitis C virus infection during his doctoral and early postdoctoral years (2009–2014). From 2015 to 2021, he pivoted toward neurodegenerative diseases, joining the Garrison Institute on Aging and later the Internal Medicine Department at TTUHSC Lubbock. During this time, he made several discoveries on the role of microRNA-455-3p and developed transgenic models to explore its neuroprotective potential. In 2022, he transitioned to an independent faculty role at TTUHSC El Paso, where he currently leads funded projects investigating synaptic and mitochondrial microRNAs in AD and Parkinson’s disease. His work has continuously evolved to leverage cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary strategies to tackle complex questions in brain aging and neurodegeneration.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Kumar’s research excellence has been recognized with multiple competitive honors and awards. He is a recipient of the prestigious NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, supporting his transition to research independence. In 2024, he received the Marsh Foundation Research Award from TTUHSC El Paso. He has also won best oral and poster presentation awards at institutional symposia and regional neuroscience conferences. Earlier in his career, he earned national fellowships and international travel grants from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), CSIR, and other scientific bodies. As a grant and manuscript reviewer, he contributes to the scientific community through service to NIH, Alzheimer’s Association, UKRI, AHA, and leading journals such as Nature Communications and Trends in Molecular Medicine.
Top-Noted Publication
One of Dr. Kumar’s most influential works is his 2025 publication as corresponding author in Molecular Psychiatry titled, “Integrated multi-omics analyses of synaptosomes revealed synapse-associated novel targets in Alzheimer’s disease” (PMID: 39868328). This landmark study combined miRNA sequencing, transcriptomics, and mass spectrometry of synaptosomes from human postmortem AD brains to identify dysregulated molecular networks specific to synaptic compartments. Using the DIABLO integration framework, his team discovered novel synaptic miRNAs and protein targets with potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This work not only advanced our understanding of synaptic degeneration in AD but also established a powerful multi-omics pipeline now used in follow-up studies within his lab.
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Protective effects of Indian spice curcumin against amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease
PH Reddy, M Manczak, X Yin, MC Grady, A Mitchell, S Tonk, CS Kuruva, S Kumar, et al.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 61(3), 843-866 (2018)
Citations: 367
— Demonstrated curcumin’s neuroprotective role against amyloid-β toxicity in AD models. -
Are circulating microRNAs peripheral biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease?
S Kumar, PH Reddy
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, 1862(9), 1617-1625 (2016)
Citations: 333
— Reviewed microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for AD diagnosis. -
Mutant APP and amyloid beta-induced defective autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial structural and functional changes and synaptic damage in hippocampal neurons from Alzheimer’s disease
PH Reddy, XL Yin, M Manczak, S Kumar, JA Pradeepkiran, M Vijayan, et al.
Human Molecular Genetics, 27(14), 2502-2516 (2018)
Citations: 292
— Elucidated mitochondrial and synaptic defects induced by amyloid beta in AD neurons. -
MicroRNAs as peripheral biomarkers in aging and age-related diseases
S Kumar, M Vijayan, JS Bhatti, PH Reddy
Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 146, 47-94 (2017)
Citations: 234
— Comprehensive review on microRNAs’ role in aging and neurodegenerative disease biomarkers. -
MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential peripheral biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease
S Kumar, M Vijayan, PH Reddy
Human Molecular Genetics, 26(19), 3808-3822 (2017)
Citations: 169
— Identified miR-455-3p as a novel peripheral biomarker with protective roles in AD.
Strengths for Innovative Researcher Award
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Pioneering Multi-Omics Integration in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Dr. Kumar has developed and applied cutting-edge multi-omics approaches—combining miRNA sequencing, proteomics, and transcriptomics—to unravel complex synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunctions in AD. This innovative methodology has led to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers, advancing precision medicine in neurodegeneration. -
Groundbreaking Identification of Synaptic and Mitochondrial microRNAs
He was among the first to characterize synaptosomal (syn-miRs) and mitochondrial microRNAs (mito-miRs) in human and animal models of Alzheimer’s, opening new avenues for understanding microRNA-mediated regulation at subcellular levels, which is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention. -
Translational Focus Bridging Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
Dr. Kumar’s research spans basic molecular neuroscience to translational applications, investigating microRNAs that have dual roles as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. His lab’s work on miR-501-3p and miR-502-3p demonstrates real-world impact potential, bridging bench science with clinical relevance. -
Strong Record of Funded, Collaborative, and Interdisciplinary Research
Securing competitive NIH funding including the prestigious K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, Dr. Kumar’s work exemplifies innovation through collaboration across molecular biology, neurogenetics, and aging research. His engagement with national and international research communities amplifies his contributions. -
Leadership in Advancing Biomarker Discovery and Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics
By focusing on peripheral circulating microRNAs and synaptic miRNAs as minimally invasive biomarkers, Dr. Kumar’s research paves the way for earlier, more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and related disorders, addressing a critical gap in current clinical practice.