Arunika Das

Arunika Das is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she leads the Das Lab. Her research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing chromosome inheritance during meiosis and early development, with a particular emphasis on centromere biology and aneuploidy.

• Education: PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology (Rutgers University, 2016), MS in Biochemistry (University of Calcutta, 2009), BS in Chemistry (St. Xavier’s University, 2007)

Research Highlights:

• Investigates centromere inheritance through reproductive and embryonic challenges
• Studies aneuploidy mechanisms in early embryos
• Uses mouse, fly, and horse models for comparative genome stability analysis
• Active in Cornell Center for Reproductive Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics

Scientific Awards:

• Society for the Study of Reproduction - Emerging Investigator Award (2024-2025)
• S. Walter Englander Postdoctoral Research Award (2022)
• Keith R. Porter Award Honorable Mention (2022)
• Marine Biological Laboratory Fellowship (2017)

Teaching: Leads curriculum development for a reproductive medicine MS program and teaches in Cornell’s Veterinary School. Mentors graduate, undergraduate, and capstone projects.