RGU researchers win Rs 1 crore+ in ICMR funding for high-impact health studies

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 18, 2025

Three faculty members from Assam Royal Global University (RGU) have secured more than Rs 1 crore in research funding under the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Start-up Grant Scheme for 2024–25.

The grants were awarded to Dr. Chongtham Sovachandra Singh, Dr. Anuj Kumar Borah, and Dr. Pundarikaksha Das, representing the Royal School of Biosciences and the Royal School of Life Sciences. Funded through the Department of Health Research’s “Start-up Grant for Induction into Biomedical & Health Research,” the scheme supports new biomedical research initiatives across the country.

Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) A.K. Buragohain praised the achievement, calling it a milestone that highlights the university’s research strengths. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to impactful research. These projects have the potential to benefit both the region and the broader scientific community,” he said.

Prof. Rama Ranjan Bhattacharjee, Dean of Research and Development, emphasised the competitive nature of the grants and said the wins reflect RGU’s rising national profile in research. Associate Dean Prof. Amlan Das added that the university’s infrastructure and support systems continue to enable advanced scientific inquiry.

The funded projects are: Dr. Chongtham Sovachandra Singh (Biotechnology), supported by Prof. Amlan Das (Microbiology), will lead a Rs 45.06 lakh study on the mechanisms of areca nut-induced tumor development using a mouse model; Dr. Anuj Kumar Borah (Biotechnology), with collaborators from CVSc, Khanapara, and the Royal School of Pharmacy, will conduct a Rs 38.01 lakh project on designing DLPC-enriched phytosomes to manage lipid absorption and hyperlipidemia and Dr. Pundarikaksha Das (Forensic Science), along with Dr. Dharmeswar Barhoi (Zoology), will investigate the role of p53 in estimating post-mortem intervals through molecular simulations, backed by Rs 20 lakh.

These projects are expected to strengthen RGU’s contributions to biomedical science while addressing pressing health issues through innovative research.