Gupta selected for prestigious CIMB Travel Award

Kunj Bihari Gupta, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow and member of the Bal Lokeshwar, PhD lab at the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, has been named a recipient of the CIMB Travel Award. This internationally competitive program was established by the journal Current Issues in Molecular Biology to support the work of exceptional early-career researchers.

“Being early in my research career means looking for every opportunity to grow and that growth happens when I can make connections and network with other scientists at other research institutions like the Georgia Cancer Center,” Gupta said. “Being selected to receive this award in what is a competitive environment shows me my work is being recognized for its possibilities.”

The award is very competitive, with only two winners chosen globally each year, a distinction that underscores the prestige of the program and the caliber of the recipients. Gupta was selected based on the demonstrated strength, innovation and anticipated impact of his scientific contributions, aligning with the journal’s mission to provide financial support for high-quality research on global platforms.

This award will support Gupta as he presents his research at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026. As the world’s most influential gathering for cancer research, the AACR meeting serves as a premier stage for scientific dissemination. Gupta is set to present his work, “From Metal to Malignancy: How ROS and Inflammatory Cytokines Accelerate Cadmium-induced Prostate Carcinogenesis.”

“Dr. Gupta has been a wonderful trainee working in my laboratory for some years now,” Lokeshwar said. “It is fantastic to see his work, passion and dedication to research being rewarded with an opportunity to share his knowledge and insights with others in the field.”

By participating in AACR 2026, Gupta will have the opportunity to share his research on the mechanisms of prostate carcinogenesis with global leaders in the field. He will also be able to build professional networks with international peers to advance scientific discovery while significantly amplifying the impact of his work within the global cancer research community.

Receiving this award marks a significant milestone in Gupta’s academic career, providing him with a global platform to showcase the innovative research being conducted at the Georgia Cancer Center.