Dr. Nikitha Vobugar | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation Fellow at University of Minnesota, United States

Dr. Nikitha Vobugari is an emerging leader in academic oncology, with a focus on breast cancer research and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a career spanning multiple high-profile institutions, she currently serves as Assistant Professor of Breast Oncology at the University of Minnesota starting July 2025. Her clinical acumen and commitment to scientific inquiry are matched by a track record of excellence in research, publication, and community engagement. Through her pioneering research in breast cancer genetics, immunotherapy outcomes, and AI-integrated diagnostics, she exemplifies the transformative potential of clinician-scientists in modern medicine.

Profile

ORCID

Education:

Dr. Vobugari earned her M.B.B.S. degree from Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, India, in 2017, where she also completed her internship. She undertook her residency in Internal Medicine at Medstar Georgetown/Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, from 2019 to 2022. Further specializing in Hematology/Oncology, she pursued her first year of fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital (2022–2023) and continued with the University of Minnesota from 2023 to 2025. This academic trajectory has equipped her with deep clinical expertise and a multidisciplinary research foundation in oncology.

Experience:

Dr. Vobugari’s academic and clinical journey includes diverse experiences across continents. Prior to her U.S. residency, she served as a duty doctor at Thatha Hospital in Hyderabad. She was also a visiting scholar at esteemed institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic. During her fellowship and research tenures, she contributed extensively to clinical trials, translational studies, and advanced therapeutic strategies in oncology. Her role as Co-PI and PI in major ongoing trials underlines her leadership in bridging clinical care with investigational medicine.

Research Interest:

Her research is centered on hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, precision oncology, and the intersection of AI and cancer diagnostics. Notably, she investigates the genomic markers associated with cancer recurrence, the use of electro-acupuncture in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and innovative combinations of SGLT2 inhibitors with targeted therapies. She is also exploring applications of AI in differentiating complex malignancies and evaluating oncologic outcomes in transplant patients. Her scholarly pursuits highlight her commitment to personalizing treatment and improving patient quality of life.

Awards:

Dr. Vobugari has been widely recognized for her contributions. Her accolades include the 2024 MSCO Abstract Competition Poster Winner for her work on electro-acupuncture, the prestigious Nurses’ Choice Award from Houston Methodist Hospital in 2023, and multiple honors for oral and poster presentations. She was invited to the FDA/ASCO Fellows’ Day Workshop in 2024 and became a full member of Sigma Xi in the same year. In addition, she has been a grant recipient of the “Hope for Change” Fellow Grant Award.

Publications:

1. “Obesity and Pancreatic Cancer: Its Role in Oncogenesis”
   Book Chapter – Pancreatic Cancer – Pathogenesis, Pathology, and Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Therapy
   Year: 2023
   DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.110216
2. “Clinical outcomes of patients with early-stage epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer who underwent reflex molecular testing”
   Journal of Clinical Oncology
   Year: 2023
   DOI: 10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.e20531
3. “Clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance: potential predictor of myeloid malignancies?”
   Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology
   Year: 2022
   PMID: 35731608
4. “Institutional review of African American (AA) patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer”
   Journal of Clinical Oncology
   Year: 2022
   DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e13059
5. “Advancements in Oncology with Artificial Intelligence—A Review Article”
   Cancers
   Year: 2022
   DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051349
6. “Sideroblastic anaemia in a patient with sickle cell disease”
   BMJ Case Reports
   Year: 2022
   DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246623
7. “1123: Palliative Care Causes Higher Mortality Among Oxygen-Dependent COPD Patients: Is It True?”
   Critical Care Medicine
   Year: 2022
   DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000810816.23511.d8

Conclusion:

Dr. Nikitha Vobugari’s career encapsulates the intersection of clinical precision, research innovation, and compassionate care. She stands out not only as a highly capable oncologist but also as a committed academic with vision for transforming cancer care through evidence-based medicine. Her dedication to mentoring, interdisciplinary research, and public health outreach positions her as an ideal candidate for prestigious research and academic awards. With a growing citation footprint and impactful publications in leading journals, her contributions hold promise for lasting change in oncology. Dr. Vobugari’s trajectory exemplifies the values of resilience, excellence, and forward-thinking essential for shaping the future of cancer research and therapy.