Divya Jayaram, Ph.D.

In 2024, Divya joined Hata Lab after earning her Master’s in Biology from the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Trivandrum, India, and completing her Ph.D. in health sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, under Prof. Etta Livneh. In Prof. Livneh’s lab, she discovered a novel mechanism regulating PKC activity through an upstream ORF-encoded peptide, revealing its significance in cancer therapy. Her study showed a uORF with biological function exhibiting kinase inhibitory activity for the first time. Now at Hata Lab, Divya focuses on understanding the intricate dynamics between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Her research aims to develop better model systems illuminating this interplay and leverage the findings to overcome drug resistance to targeted therapy for EGFR, ALK & KRAS mutant lung cancers. Beyond the lab, Divya enjoys long walks, learning Japanese, and cherishing moments with family and friends. She’s also an enthusiastic dog-lover.