Jyoti
G-INews, KANPUR : The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) successfully hosted a three-day Conference on Cancer Genomics, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) – Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme from January 28 to 30, 2026.The ANRF–PAIR initiative aims to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by linking leading “Hub” institutions with emerging “Spoke” universities through mentorship-driven collaboration.
Under this framework, IIT Kanpur is serving as the Hub institution, partnering with King George’s Medical University (Lucknow), Ravenshaw University (Odisha), NIT Arunachal Pradesh, and CSJM University (Kanpur) to accelerate cutting-edge cancer research and its translation into diagnostics and therapeutics.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development, IIT Kanpur, and Prof. Ashwani K. Thakur, Head, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, in the presence of Prof. Sudhir K. Awasthi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, CSJM University Kanpur.
The inaugural session was also attended by the lead Principal Investigator of the Cancer theme, Prof. Bushra Ateeq, co-organizer Prof. Rakesh Majhi (IIT Kanpur), Prof. Luna Samata (Ravenshaw University), and Prof. Akhilanand Chaurasia and Prof. Mohammad Kaleem from KGMU, Lucknow.Addressing the gathering, Dr. T. Thangaradjou, Scientist F, ANRF, highlighted the vision of the ANRF–PAIR programme to build a robust national research network by empowering spoke institutions, promoting collaborative science, and ensuring that research outcomes translate into tangible societal and healthcare benefits.
A key highlight of the event was a specialized hands-on workshop on Flow Cytometry, supported by BD Biosciences, which provided advanced technical training to participating PhD students. The workshop equipped young researchers with practical skills in cell analysis relevant to cancer biology and immunology.Participants also heard from Dr. Rashmi Parihar, Officer-in-Charge, Central Experimental Animal Facility, IIT Kanpur, who showcased the institute’s extensive animal research facilities. She emphasized that these resources could be effectively shared with spoke institutions under the ANRF–PAIR framework to strengthen translational cancer research.
The conference witnessed participation from over 200 scientists, clinicians, academicians, and students from across the country. Deliberations focused on emerging areas such as cancer genomics, biomarker discovery, cancer immunotherapy, and therapeutic innovations.
Eminent scientists delivered keynote lectures, while faculty members associated with the ANRF–PAIR grant presented their ongoing research.Student engagement remained a major attraction, with poster presentations and flash talks, and outstanding contributions were recognized through prizes and certificates.
Through this conference, IIT Kanpur reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India’s research ecosystem by fostering mentorship-driven collaborations and capacity building. The ANRF–PAIR initiative, participants noted, is playing a crucial role in advancing impactful cancer research and ensuring that scientific discoveries are translated into meaningful healthcare solutions for society.
