Guest Lecture Superbugs vs Superdrug’s The Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance held at SBS

Published on: April 18, 2026

The School of Biosciences (SBS), SRHU, successfully organized an insightful guest lecture titled “Superbugs vs Superdrug’s: The Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance” on 18th April 2026. The session brought together students, researchers, and faculty members to deliberate on one of the most pressing global health challenges—antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The session aimed to address the growing global concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to familiarize participants with emerging scientific approaches to combat drug-resistant infections.

The lecture was delivered by Dr. Vijay Singh Gondil, Research Professor, University of Rochester Medical Centre, New York, USA, an expert in the field of microbiology and infectious diseases. In an engaging and informative session, the speaker highlighted the alarming rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens, commonly referred to as “superbugs,” and the scientific challenges associated with their treatment.

Dr Gondil elaborated on critical mechanisms driving antibiotic resistance, including enzymatic degradation, efflux pump systems, target modification, and horizontal gene transfer. The talk also provided valuable insights into emerging therapeutic strategies such as next-generation antibiotics, bacteriophage therapy, CRISPR-based interventions, and antimicrobial peptides.

Emphasizing the importance of antibiotic stewardship, the speaker underscored the need for rational drug use, strengthened infection control practices, and increased awareness at both clinical and community levels. The session encouraged participants to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to tackle antimicrobial resistance effectively.

The lecture was highly informative and provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance and the scientific advancements aimed at combating it. It enriched the knowledge base of students, researchers, and faculty members, and highlighted the urgent need for sustained research and responsible practices in antimicrobial use. The students and faculty actively engaged with the speaker on current research trends and future directions in combating antibiotic resistance.

The School of Biosciences expressed its sincere appreciation to the distinguished speaker for sharing valuable insights and contributing to the academic enrichment of the university community. Such initiatives reflect SRHU’s commitment to promoting scientific awareness and addressing global health challenges through education and research.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.