Manali Nitin Patwardhan, MS

Manali Patwardhan is a Research Specialist with dual master's training in biotechnology and biomedical sciences. She is broadly interested in immuno-oncology, immunomodulatory therapeutic development, and translational research that bridges laboratory discovery with clinical application. Her work in the lab spans a variety of projects, including breast and ovarian cancer, and involves immune-focused studies and preclinical research approaches. She also leads a project centered on developing small protein-based biologics to target senescent cells. She is passionate about contributing to research that advances new therapeutic strategies and brings scientific discoveries closer to improving patient care.

Outside of the lab, you will find Manali exploring hiking trails, breakfast, and dessert places. She also enjoys just being at home with her loved ones, watching movies, cooking, and reading novels!

Hay AN, Vickers ER, Patwardhan M, et al. Investigating cell death responses associated with histotripsy ablation of canine osteosarcoma. Int J Hyperthermia. 2023;40(1):2279027. doi:10.1080/02656736.2023.2279027

Participated in the University of Illinois Cancer Center 5K Walk/Run

Masters in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health
Virginia Tech, USA. May 2024

Master in Biotechnology
St. Xaviers College, Mumbai, India. October 2020

Bachelor's in Biotechnology
V.G. Vaze College, Mumbai, India. May 2018

Biomedical Research, CITI Program. Issued May 2024

Good Clinical Practice, NIDA Clinical Trials Network. Issued May 2024

Introduction to Translational Science, University of Rochester. Issued may 2021

Introduction to Breast Cancer, Yale University. Issued July 2020

Introduction to the Biology of Cancer, The Johns Hopkins University. Issued May 2020

Maria Jose Godoy-Calderon, Abhigna Kodali, Manali Patwardhan, Saanvi Sethi, Meredith Russell, Eric Gauchat, Michelle Karan, Zhengjia Chen, Oana Danciu, Kent Hoskins, Abiola Ibraheem, VK Gadi. AACR Annual Meeting 2026. Title: Window of Opportunity Trial of Preoperative Low Dose Azacitidine in High-Risk Early-Stage Breast Cancer. 

Maria Jose Godoy-Calderon, Manali Patwardhan, Shruti Rodrigues, Saanvi Sethi, Eric Gauchat, VK Gadi. AACR Annual Meeting 2026. Title: Surface engineered-NK/trastuzumab cells as a novel immunotherapy for HER2-low breast cancer.

Maria Jose Godoy Calderon; Manali Patwardhan; Eric Gauchat; VK Gadi. Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC) 2025. Title: A Next-Generation Immunotherapy Targeting HER2-Low Breast Cancer Using Surface-Engineered NK/Trastuzumab Cells.

Manali Patwardhan, Alayna Hay, Kenneth Aycock, Olivia Echols, Kailee David, Elliana Vickers, Kelsey Murphy, Irving Allen, Rafael Davalos, and Joanne Tuohy. Evaluation of ablative and immunomodulatory effects of in vitro H-FIRE for osteosarcoma. Poster presented at Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance 2023 Retreat, Washington D.C., The United States.

Immunology2024TM, Chicago, United States. Title: Investigating the Immunomodulatory Effects of In-Vitro H-FIRE ablation of Osteosarcoma.

Delivered a seminar in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (BMVS) Seminar Series, Nov 2023, Virginia Tech.