Thakur Research Lab

Chitra Thakur, MS, PhD

Chitra Thakur, MS, PhD

  • Assistant Scientific Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, Stony Brook Cancer Center
  • Research Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine

Faculty Page

Office: (631) 216-9086

Email: Chitra.Thakur@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Stony Brook Cancer Center
MART Level 8, Room: 8M-0826
Lauterbur Drive
Stony Brook, NY 11794

Research Program

Department

Research Interest

My research centers on molecular oncology, with a particular emphasis on defining the genetic, epigenetic, and environmental determinants that govern cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response, with a strong interest in the interplay between cancer epigenetics, environmental carcinogenesis, and translational biomarker discovery to identify actionable vulnerabilities for early detection and inhibition of disease progression. A major focus of my work is the investigation of the mineral dust-induced gene (mdig) and its role in lung and breast cancer development, progression, and metastasis, using integrated genomic, epigenomic, and functional approaches, next-generation sequencing, and preclinical mouse models to elucidate how mdig shapes chromatin architecture and cellular plasticity that regulate cancer cell growth, survival, and metastatic potential. In parallel, my research extends to interdisciplinary studies examining the scientific basis and therapeutic potential of lifestyle intervention modalities in cancer, including investigations into how mind-body interventions such as oncology-informed yoga and Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) influence quality of life and epigenetic alterations in cancer survivors, integrating behavioral science with molecular profiling to understand how psychosocial well-being may modulate biological pathways relevant to survivorship, resilience, and long-term health.

Education

  • Professional Education in Applied Data Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • PhD, University of Wurzburg/ Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Wurzburg, Germany
  • MS, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India

Publications

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