Leadership

Rohit Gaurav, Ph.D., FAAAAI

Founder & Principal Consultant, Niraamay Translational Partners

Dr. Rohit Gaurav is a translational scientist and biomarker expert with a comprehensive track record of advancing biopharmaceutical assets from molecular discovery through early clinical development. Combining rigorous academic expertise in immunology and toxicology with extensive Big Pharma pipeline execution, Dr. Gaurav provides unparalleled strategic advisory for advanced therapeutic modalities. His expertise is further augmented by advanced certifications in applied data science and artificial intelligence from MIT (2024), ensuring pipeline strategies are driven by cutting-edge analytics.

Industry Leadership & Pipeline Execution

Prior to founding Niraamay Translational Partners, Dr. Gaurav served in pivotal translational and strategic roles, including as a Project Team Leader (PTL) and Biomarker Lead at Novartis, where he completed premier drug development and Leadership (M1) training. His industry tenure is defined by bridging complex preclinical biology with robust clinical trial architecture:

  • Clinical Biomarker Architecture: Architected highly predictive workflows utilizing NanoString cell-free RNA (cfRNA) profiling and large-scale genetic cohort clustering (e.g., UK Biobank, CANTOS, PARADIGM) to ensure robust patient selection and off-target mitigation.

  • Complex Renal & Fibrotic Indications: Directed preclinical target engagement (TE/PD) for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and complex structural diseases such as ADPKD. This expertise spans multiple compartments, including proximal epithelial cells, podocytopathies (e.g., Alport Syndrome), and endothelial networks.

  • Advanced Modality De-risking: Extensive experience optimizing targeted delivery for advanced therapeutics, including sequence-specific knockdown (siRNA, ASO, circRNA), Radioligand Therapies (RLT), and complex biologics targeting post-translational modifications.

Clinical Translation & Advanced Predictive Modeling

Dr. Gaurav possesses deep operational expertise in navigating clinical environments, engineering complex disease models, and managing large-scale patient cohorts. Earning his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Immunology) from Creighton University Medical Center—complemented by advanced level training in clinical and translational science and public health—he pioneered critical translational operations:

  • Advanced In Vivo Pharmacology & Transgenics: Highly adept at engineering genetically modified murine models, including the custom generation of the RAGE (G82S) transgenic line. He holds specialized expertise in precision intratracheal (IT) instillations, utilizing this technique for both the targeted delivery of disease-inducing agents (bleomycin, LPS, organic dust extract) and targeted therapeutics (such as IL-10). He also excels in developing complex, multi-hit disease systems, such as mirroring Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (RA-ILD) by combining Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) with repetitive inhalant exposures.

  • Clinical Operations & Biobanking: Authored IRB/IACUC protocols and directly recruited and managed biospecimen collection for over 500 human subjects. Navigated extensive clinical ecosystems at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), integrating workflows across VA clinics, pulmonary/allergy departments, lung transplant teams, and hospital biobanks.

  • Large Animal Disease Modeling: Managed complex survival surgeries in swine models of atherosclerosis to evaluate AAV-mediated gene therapy following restenosis.

  • 3D Organoid Development: Awarded a CDC/NIOSH grant to investigate the differential impact of environmental xenobiotics and TLR agonists on human and murine primary 3D lung organoids.

Scientific Foundation & Global Collaborations

A cornerstone of Dr. Gaurav’s advisory capability is his extensive global research network, bridging academia and industry. His foundational research in toxicology and pharmacology—initiated through early fellowships at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the National Institute of Immunology—established a deep proficiency in molecular cloning, cytochrome p450 profiling, and environmental toxicity.

In the respiratory and fibrotic space, he has driven high-impact programs funded by the American Lung Association (ALA) and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), focusing on BCL-2 modulated fibroblast apoptosis in IPF. Furthermore, through strategic joint initiatives, he has collaborated directly with leading pharmaceutical companies and global institutions. This includes driving RAGE pathway research in partnership with GSK (alongside Dr. Russ Bowler at NJH), and evaluating IL-33 targeting strategies with AstraZeneca (alongside Dr. Jill Poole at UNMC). Integrating these efforts with Yale University, the University of Colorado, and global cohorts (COPDGene, Copenhagen City Heart Study), he has mapped the protective mechanisms of specific genetic variants, including EC-SOD (R213G) and RAGE (G82S), in severe asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and bleomycin-induced fibrosis.

Academic Recognition & Scientific Community Leadership

Recognized by his peers for his contributions to the field, Dr. Gaurav is an elected Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FAAAAI) and a frequent invited speaker at premier forums, including the ATS, AAAAI, and the 5th Rare & Genetic Kidney Disease Summit (2025).

He holds a strong commitment to scientific leadership, having served as President of the UNMC Postdoc Association and receiving the Creighton Presidential Leadership Award. He serves as an Academic Editor for PLOS One and is a trusted peer reviewer for top-tier scientific journals, including Nature, The Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), JCI Insight, AJRCCM, and AJRCMB. This rigorous editorial experience ensures that Niraamay’s advisory services are grounded in the absolute highest standards of contemporary scientific validation.