Scientist III at Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, India
Dr. Gayatri R. Iyer is a leading clinical geneticist and molecular biologist specializing in genetic counseling and rare disease diagnostics. With over a decade of hands-on experience in both research and clinical genetics, she bridges molecular science with patient-centric healthcare. She currently serves as Scientist Grade II at the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, where she develops cost-effective diagnostic solutions for complex genetic disorders. Certified at Level II by the Board of Genetic Counseling, India, and holding an INSPIRE fellowship from the Department of Science and Technology, her professional journey reflects excellence in research, diagnostics, and community outreach. Her multidisciplinary expertise and contributions make her a standout nominee in the field of translational genetics.
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Education
Dr. Iyer’s academic foundation is built on a rigorous and multidisciplinary path. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Genetics from Kamineni Hospitals, affiliated with Osmania University, where she was a DST-INSPIRE Fellow (2016–2021). Her doctoral research focused on developing methylation-specific PCR assays for imprinting disorders, reflecting her dedication to translating molecular diagnostics into clinical practice. She completed her M.Sc. in Applied Genetics from The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore, with a gold medal for academic excellence (2012–2014), and secured second rank in her B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Birla College, Mumbai (2012). She has supplemented her academic training with a PG Certificate in Medical & Genetic Counseling and a diploma in Bioinformatics.
Experience
With progressive experience in clinical genetics, Dr. Iyer has held diverse roles across premier institutions. At the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (2023–present), she focuses on developing diagnostic platforms for rare disorders such as imprinting syndromes and neuromuscular conditions. During her postdoctoral fellowship at IIT Bombay (2022–2023), she worked on subcellular proteomics and gut microbiome sequencing. At Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad (2015–2021), she evolved from a Junior to Senior Research Fellow and served as a senior genetic counselor, managing over 2,000 cases across specialties including pediatrics, oncology, and reproductive medicine. Her work at LifeCell International and Datar Genetics further solidified her position as an expert counselor and educator.
Research Interest
Dr. Iyer’s research is centered on rare genetic diseases, molecular diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, and genetic counseling. She is especially focused on developing accessible and cost-effective diagnostic tools for Indian and resource-limited populations. Her doctoral work on imprinting disorders was groundbreaking, contributing novel diagnostic pathways for syndromes like Prader-Willi and Angelman. She is equally invested in epigenetics, next-generation sequencing, and microarray-based diagnostics. Her translational approach ensures that molecular insights are effectively integrated into patient care, family screening, and policy development. She continues to bridge the gap between lab-based discoveries and real-world clinical applications through genetic counseling and education.
Awards
Dr. Iyer’s contributions have been consistently recognized at national and international levels. She is the recipient of the DST Faculty Research Grant (2024–2029) and co-investigator on an ICMR CAR grant. Her global reputation was affirmed by receiving a $3,500 workshop grant and a travel grant from the International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organization. She was awarded the prestigious DST-INSPIRE Fellowship (2016–2021) and secured a travel grant to present her research at the Asia Pacific Prader-Willi Conference in Brisbane (2018). Her academic accolades include the Gold Medal in M.Sc. Applied Genetics and first rank in her Bioinformatics diploma. She also serves as Joint Secretary of the Executive Committee, Board of Genetic Counseling, India.
Publications
Dr. Iyer has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Selected impactful publications include:
Halder A, Iyer G, et al. (2023). Targeted proteomics distinguishes high and low grade meningioma tumors. Clin Proteomics, 20(1):41. [Cited by: 5]
Bajaj S, Iyer G, et al. (2022). Telegenetics diagnosis of Hunter syndrome during COVID-19. Int J Contemp Pediatr, 9:851–4. [Cited by: 2]
Iyer GR, et al. (2022). NGS in musculoskeletal disorders. J Orthop Surg Res, 17(1):76. [Cited by: 3]
Iyer GR, et al. (2021). Angelman syndrome phenotype with GABRG3. Ann Hum Genet, doi:10.1111/ahg.12449. [Cited by: 4]
Abbas NZ, Iyer GR, et al. (2020). Genotype-Phenotype correlation in pediatric neurology. Int J Health Clin Res, 3(5):67–73. [Cited by: 2]
Iyer G, et al. (2020). COVID-19 therapy driven by pharmacogenomics. AIJR Preprints. [Cited by: 7]
Iyer GR, et al. (2020). Host gene variants and COVID-19 progression. Front Genet, 11:861. [Cited by: 10]
Conclusion
Dr. Gayatri R. Iyer exemplifies the ethos of a best researcher through her unwavering commitment to bridging science and clinical application. Her pioneering work in low-cost diagnostic development for rare disorders, hands-on clinical counseling experience, interdisciplinary teaching, and highly cited publications affirm her exceptional contribution to medical genetics and public health. Her nomination for the Best Researcher Award is a recognition of her dedication, innovation, and leadership in translating genetic research into impactful health solutions.