Sujita Sukumaran, Ph.D.
About Sujita Sukumaran, Ph.D.
Sujita Sukumaran, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist with over 10 years of experience in preclinical development and testing of T cell-based therapies. Currently employed at Instil Bio, she has held various research positions in both academia and industry, including roles at Baylor College of Medicine and Kite Pharma.
Current Role at Instil Bio
Sujita Sukumaran serves as a Senior Scientist at Instil Bio, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she focuses on the preclinical development and testing of innovative strategies aimed at enhancing T cell-based therapies. Her expertise in adoptive T cell therapy and CAR T cell therapy contributes to the advancement of immunotherapy and immuno-oncology research within the organization.
Previous Experience at Kite Pharma
Prior to her current role, Sukumaran worked as a Scientist at Kite Pharma from 2018 to 2024. During her tenure, she engaged in research that supported the development of cutting-edge therapies in the field of cancer treatment, specifically focusing on T cell-based approaches. This experience further solidified her expertise in the realm of immunotherapy.
Academic Background and Research Training
Sujita Sukumaran's academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine, where she studied from 2012 to 2018. She also earned a Master's degree in Biology from Texas A&M University, completing her studies from 2006 to 2008. Her undergraduate education was at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Biology from 2002 to 2006.
Research Experience and Expertise
With over 10 years of research experience in both academic and industry settings, Sukumaran possesses extensive knowledge in T cell biology and CAR T cell therapy. Her professional background includes roles as a Graduate Student Researcher at Texas A&M University, an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, and a Research Associate at ApoCell Biosciences. She specializes in various scientific techniques related to immunotherapy, gene therapy, and cell and molecular biology.
Mentorship and Training
Throughout her career, Sujita Sukumaran has actively trained, mentored, and supervised numerous students and research technicians. Her commitment to fostering the next generation of scientists is evident in her collaborative approach and dedication to education within the research community.