Ph.D. Candidate Forges Future in Cancer Research at UToledo

Ph.D. Candidate Forges Future in Cancer Research at UToledo

Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman traveled from Kerala, India, to Ohio with a singular goal: to advance biomedical research.

"I was really intrigued by the amazing research happening at UToledo and wanted to do something similar going forward in my career," Sabu Kattuman said.

On Friday, May 15, Sabu Kattuman will walk across the commencement stage as the selected graduate student speaker for The University of Toledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences. She is set to defend her thesis in July, earning her doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in the molecular medicine track.

Since arriving at UToledo with a bachelor of technology in genetics, Sabu Kattuman has established herself as a formidable, multidisciplinary researcher. Her thesis work explores how chronic inflammation fuels the progression of melanoma.

"Our lab works a lot with inflammatory pathways and how inflammation can lead to chronic disease progression," she said. "That's where my research comes into picture. We are looking at how a chronic inflammatory signal is causing cancer progression, especially skin cancer progression. We do this by studying how a pro-inflammatory receptor in our body is fueling cancer progression."

Specifically, she is working to repurpose an FDA-approved asthma medication, which targets those same receptors, to treat skin cancer without harmful side effects. She recently wrote a column discussing this innovative research in The Blade.

She developed the project under the mentorship of Dr. Sailaja Paruchuri, a professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, whose lab primarily focuses on inflammation and immune cell signaling.

"During her rotation … she demonstrated remarkable initiative and determination to pursue a cancer-focused project within our research program," Paruchuri said. "Inspired by her enthusiasm, I initiated a melanoma research project, which has since grown into a valuable new direction for the lab."

Sabu Kattuman's research extends beyond cancer. Leveraging her mandatory grant-writing training, she secured a two-year predoctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association to study the manipulation of biological signals to accelerate the production of tissue-engineered heart valves. She noted that traditional synthetic valves, which are mostly made of metals, come with numerous side effects, making tissue-engineered valves the future of treatment.

Her ability to communicate complex science has also earned her national recognition. In 2024, she was the runner-up and people's choice award winner at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools' Three Minute Thesis Competition, advancing to the national level.

"Scientific communication is as important as scientific research," she said. "You should be able to communicate to the public what you are studying and why it is important."

Despite her rigorous academic schedule - and serving in multiple student organizations, including the Council of Biomedical Graduate Students - Sabu Kattuman attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family and her faith.

She noted that she lost her father just as she moved to the United States.

"My mother just lost her husband, and I lost my father when I moved to the United States, but instead of keeping me closer to her so that she has more emotional support, she did a selfless act of letting me go and pursue my dreams," Sabu Kattuman said.

She also credited her husband for his steadfast daily support.

"My husband literally drops me off to work every single day and picks me up every single day," she said. "I can't imagine my journey without my husband, my family and most importantly, my God."

After graduation, Sabu Kattuman plans to move to the East Coast to continue her postdoctoral training. Her advice to future Ph.D. students is simple: stay curious and persevere.

"Don't compare your journey to somebody else's journey, because your journey is unique to you," she said. "And that is something that takes time and effort and perseverance."