Dr. Rakesh Rawal
PhD
About
Prof. Rakesh Rawal is a distinguished cancer biologist renowned for his extensive research and contributions in the field of cancer biology. Currently, he holds the prestigious position of Head & Professor of the Department of Medical Biotechnology at Gujarat Biotechnology University. Throughout his remarkable career, Prof. Rawal has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing the field of cancer biology, as evidenced by his extensive body of work, which includes 150+ research publications and over 3 patents. Additionally, he has successfully completed total 27 research projects as the principal investigator, underscoring his leadership skills and dedication to contributing to scientific progress.
Prof. Rawal’s journey in the field of cancer biology has been marked by numerous achievements and contributions that have had a significant impact on the scientific community. His research has primarily focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat this devastating disease. Beyond his research contributions, he has also been firmly committed to mentorship and education. His leadership style is characterized by a collaborative and supportive approach, fostering a positive and productive environment for faculty and students.
Background
Prof. (Dr.) Rakesh M. Rawal embarked on his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Zoology from Sambalpur University in 1985, followed by an M.Sc. in Life Science in 1987, and an M.Phil. in Life Science in 1989 from the same University. He further pursued his Ph.D. in Life Science at Gujarat University, where he conducted pioneering research on biochemical markers in oral cancer. Prof. Rawal’s professional career is marked by his long-standing association with Department of Life Sciences, Gujarat University from 2017 to 2024 as Head & Professor, and Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacogenomics, the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad from 1991 to 2017 as Scientist, contributing significantly to the fields of cancer research, pharmacogenomics, medicinal chemistry, and bioinformatics. In addition to his academic and research roles, Prof. Rawal has been instrumental in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. He held key positions such as Additional Director at the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) and Joint Coordinator at the AIC GUSEC – Atal Incubation Centre. His leadership extended to the Institute of Defence Studies and Research (IDSR) and the School of International Studies at Gujarat University. Beyond his research and administrative achievements, Prof. Rawal has served on various advisory boards and ethics committees.
Honours and Awards
| Ethics Committee Member (DBT Nominee) | Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Board of Studies Member | Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar | |
| Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar, Gujarat | |
| Advisory Board Member | Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad, Gujarat | |
| Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat | |
| Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
Research Group Overview
| Ph.D. Student (Awarded) | 14 |
| Ph.D. Student (Pursuing) | 08 |
| D.S. Kothari post doctoral fellow (Pursuing) | 01 |
| Research Associate (ICMR) – (Awarded) | 01 |
| Research Associate (IDSR) – (Awarded) | 01 |
| National post doctoral fellow (Pursuing) | 01 |
| Ramalingaswamy fellow (Pursuing) | 01 |
| Women Scientist (WOS-B) – (Awarded) | 01 |
Research project overview:
| National level – On going | 02 |
| State level – On going | 02 |
| National level – Completed | 02 |
| State level – Completed | 21 |
Patents
| Granted patents | 01 |
| Field patents | 02 |
Publications
Research papers: 156 (International journals; SCOPUS index)
Book chapters: 17 (International journals; SCOPUS index)
