Sumit Saha, CMGM PhD graduate student, is awarded the prestigious NCI F99/K00 Predoctoral-to-Postdoctoral Transition Award for his research on Liver Cancer Immunology
Sumit Saha, a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program at the Department of Cellular, Molecular, and Genetic Medicine, VCU School of Medicine, has received the prestigious NCI F99/K00 Award. This competitive NIH grant provides support for the final two years of doctoral training (F99) and the first four years of postdoctoral research (K00). Sumit is the only international graduate student at VCU School of Medicine to hold this award, making the achievement especially remarkable.
Working under the mentorship of Dr. Chris Green, Assistant Professor in the Department of CMGM, and the co-mentorship of Dr. Sarah Spiegel, Sumit’s PhD dissertation focuses on understanding the role of Sphingosine Kinase 2 in liver macrophages and its effect on the pathophysiology of MASH-driven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). His doctoral committee members include Drs. Devanand Sarkar, Paula Bos, and Tomasz Kordula. “Our lab is happy with his achievement, and I hope Sumit all the success in his academic research career,” said Dr. Green.
Sumit’s path to liver cancer research reflects both scientific curiosity and resilience. He began his PhD journey at VCU studying cardiomyopathy, but switched labs after his second year to pursue oncology research. “The intricate, interactive crosstalk in disease-related molecular pathways influenced me to take up oncological research,” he shared. “Currently, I am driven towards deciphering the role of macrophages in the tumor immune environment in liver cancer.”
The research outlined in Sumit’s award will utilize molecular biology, primary cell culture, and mouse models, combined with immunological approaches like FACS and immunohistochemistry. By focusing on macrophage polarization in liver cancer, his work has the potential to uncover therapeutic strategies in a cancer type known for its heterogeneity and poor outcomes.
As an international student from India, Sumit recalls the initial challenges of adapting to a new academic system. “The professors and students here helped me grow a confident scientific aptitude, along with a knack for good scientific practices,” he said. “That support shaped me into someone eager to pursue an academic research career in the long run—exactly what the NCI F99/K00 grant enables me to do.”
Sumit described the grant application process as both rigorous and rewarding. He acknowledged the support of Dr. Devanand Sarkar, who first directed him to the award, and Dr. Carmen Sato-Bigbee for her advice on framing the proposal. “The F99/K00 is unique—only one student can apply from each university, and resubmissions are not permitted. It also requires a clear vision of your postdoc project and mentoring strategy. Being able to craft and submit this proposal under the guidance of Dr. Green and Dr. Spiegel was a tremendous experience.”
Looking ahead, Sumit plans to pursue postdoctoral research and begin preparing for an independent investigator role, with a focus on lab management and leadership. Outside of science, he enjoys creative writing and music—interests that, he says, “help me process my thoughts, connect with my inner self, and keep me motivated in every sphere of life.”
Reflecting on his journey, Sumit offers advice to other graduate students: “Whether the F99 remains open to international candidates after 2025 is uncertain, but I encourage every PhD student to write at least one grant. Writing a full proposal gives you a holistic perspective of research and allows you to bloom in this beautiful academic environment. The process is challenging, but the experience is a win!”
By Nayyerehalsadat (Nira) Hosseini
Department of CMGM, VCU SOM
Email: hosseinin@vcu.edu
Date: 8/September/2025