Divya Beri, PhD is a Senior Research Fellow at the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute (LFKRI) whose research focuses on understanding the growth dynamics of Babesia—a red blood cell parasite dominant in the Northeastern United States and parts of Europe—in normal red blood cells vsersus human sickle cells.
Dr. Beri is a recent recipient of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) for her research project: “Structural and Functional Alteration of host RBCs by Babesia.”
The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) supports promising postdoctoral scientists transitioning to independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. It provides up to five years of funding in two phases: the Mentored Phase (K99) offers 1–2 years of postdoctoral research training, while the Independent Research Phase (R00) provides up to three years of funding, contingent on securing a tenure-track faculty position. Dr. Beri is the first LFKRI postdoctoral researcher to receive this award.
“Divya is an exceptional and talented young scientist who I am proud to mentor in my lab,” says Cheryl Lobo PhD, head of LFKRI’s Blood-Borne Parasites Lab. “I believe my lab is a perfect environment for training scientists as they get exposed to a variety of approaches, all in a setting relevant to fundamental basic biology, albeit asking disease-related questions. Divya joined my group, eager to learn and follow but at the same time, aspired to leadership by actively taking on leadership roles in new projects. Recognizing her positive energy and critical thinking skills, I was happy to create opportunities for her to ask meaningful questions and grow as a scientist. Sharing my expertise with Divya has helped me create a legacy in our niche field and I am happy that the NIH grant funding committee recognized her enormous potential by supporting her with a K99/R00 award.”
In this conversation, Dr. Beri discusses her research on host-parasite interactions, the significance of her NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), and the invaluable mentorship shaping her journey toward establishing an independent research lab.
Tell us about your research.
In the Blood-Borne Parasites Lab, we study the human red blood cell (RBC) parasite Babesia. Babesia is an emerging tick-borne parasite, with a fast-expanding geographical range of human infections globally, and a heavy prevalence in northeastern USA. It can be transferred from animals to humans and vice versa.
Over the last four years that I have been in the lab, we have investigated different facets of the parasite’s interaction with its host RBC. We explored how parasites communicate with host RBCs and immune cells via extracellular vesicles. Using RBCs from sickle cell disease patients, we examined host and metabolic factors influencing disease progression. We analyzed parasite-induced changes in RBC mechanics and mapped the complete RBC metabolome, revealing the parasite’s profound molecular impact.
For my awarded K99/R00 Grant, we will investigate parasite remodeling of its host RBCs during infection. To put in simple words, we want to investigate how the parasite exports its proteins to modify and hijack its host cell machinery, specifically the backbone of the red blood cell- the cytoskeleton.
What are the key questions that your research aims to answer?
Our goal is to identify parasite-induced molecular changes in host RBCs that influence babesiosis severity and disease progression. Host-parasite interactions lie at the heart of defining the success of a parasite and identifying the critical interactions can potentially lead to novel drug treatments.
Here are three questions we are working to answer:
- How does Babesia alter the RBC cytoskeleton upon infection?
- Which parasite proteins drive these changes, and how?
- Which key parasite proteins dismantle the host cytoskeleton, and can drugs be found to disrupt this process?
Tell us about the mentorship aspect of the Pathway to Independence Award.
The K99/R00 is a pathway to independence award with two phases. The K99 phase (2 years) provides mentorship under Dr. Cheryl Lobo, along with co-mentors Dr. Hillyer and Dr. Narla. The R00 phase supports the launch of my independent research lab.
Mentorship is a key component of the NIH K99 Grant. Dr. Cheryl Lobo, a leader in Babesia research, has extensive experience in parasitology and mentoring. She has guided multiple postdoctoral fellows to independence and has received numerous NIH grants and honors, including the Pall Prize in Transfusion Medicine (2011) and induction into the NBF Hall of Fame (2020). Beyond providing essential tools and guidance, she has fostered a supportive environment where I can freely explore ideas and grow as a researcher.
My co-mentor, Dr. Mohandas Narla, a Distinguished Professor at NYBC, is renowned for his work on red cell membrane biology and malaria, with over 500 publications and 40+ years of NIH-funded research. He has successfully mentored many young scientists in academia. Dr. Christopher Hillyer, President and CEO of NYBCe, has over 35 years of research experience, 130+ publications, multiple awards, and NIH grants. His expertise in transfusion medicine and infectious disease prevention aligns closely with my grant proposal, and he has mentored numerous research fellows.
In addition to my mentorship team, I receive guidance from NYBCe faculty, including Dr. Karina Yazdanbakhsh, Vice President and Director of Research. Through lab meetings, seminars, and fellow gatherings, she has provided valuable feedback on my research and career development, supporting my growth as an independent investigator.
I am incredibly fortunate to have Drs. Lobo, Narla, Hillyer, and Yazdanbakhsh as mentors and could not have asked for a better institutional environment than NYBC. The K99 award will allow me to develop new skills and knowledge with their support, leveraging their expertise in parasite and red cell biology to successfully execute my grant. These skills will be crucial in my path to independence and establishing a niche in host-parasite biology.
I am also grateful for the strong support from LFKRI faculty, lab members, and the NYBC leadership team. The OSP Office at LFKRI has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth and timely grant submission.
What opportunities will this grant afford you?
The grant will support two years of mentorship in the K99 phase, helping me develop leadership skills for running an academic lab. In the R00 phase, it will enable independent research at the intersection of parasitology and hematology, exploring how Babesia exploits RBCs. Long-term, I aim to advance understanding of Babesia’s pathobiology and contribute to improved diagnostics and treatments for this disease.