معرفی
Dr. Rajvinder Karda is an Associate Professor in Gene Therapy at the Institute for Women's Health, University College London (UCL). She holds a position in the Maternal & Fetal Medicine department and maintains her office at 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX. Her academic career at UCL has progressed steadily from Senior Research Fellow (2020-2022), to Lecturer (2022-2023), and currently Associate Professor (since October 2023). She also serves as Non-Clinical Lecturer in Gene Therapy at UCL.
Dr. Karda completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Gene Transfer and Neuroscience at Imperial College London in 2016, following a Master of Research from University College London in 2011 and a BSc (Hons) from King's College London in 2010. Her research focuses primarily on developing pre-clinical gene therapy and RNA editing treatments for childhood epilepsy, with special emphasis on Dravet Syndrome. She also collaborates on pre-clinical gene therapy projects for rare childhood metabolic disorders, particularly those involving mitochondrial dysfunction.
Analysis of Dr. Karda's recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on AAV vector development and optimization for neurological conditions and metabolic disorders. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in treating Dravet Syndrome through multiple approaches including RNA editing, natural antisense transcript targeting, and NaV1.1 channel modulation. She has also made significant contributions to gene therapy for mitochondrial disorders affecting the liver, including Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency and deoxyguanosine kinase deficiency.
- Board member of the British Gene and Cell Therapy Society
- Scientific Advisory Committee member for Dravet Foundation Charity (Spain)
- Scientific Advisory Committee member for Cure DHDDS Charity (UK)
Dr. Karda has secured substantial research funding as Principal Investigator from MRC DPFS, LifeArc, GOSH Charity, Dravet Syndrome UK Charity, Cure DHDDS charity, and venture capital funds. As an educator, she co-leads modules on Basic Genetics and Technology and Fertility and Infertility: Science and Society at the Institute for Women's Health, and provides lectures on Molecular Aspects of Cell and Gene Therapy at the Institute for Child Health and Genetic Therapies for Neurological Diseases at the Institute of Neurology.
