I am Gaurav Pandey, Ph.D., a Staff Researcher at the Milk Analytics Core of the Human Milk Institute (HMI) at the University of California San Diego. My research explores the intricate connections between maternal health, human milk composition, and infant development — collectively referred to as the “mother–milk–infant triad." By integrating advanced analytical platforms such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), I investigate how essential micronutrients, bioactive compounds, and environmental contaminants (exposomes) interact within this triad. My work provides quantitative insights into how maternal exposures and physiology shape the nutritional and protective landscape of human milk, informing strategies to promote healthier beginnings for infants worldwide.
Prior to joining HMI, I was a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Prof. Mia Huang’s Lab at Scripps Research, where I combined glycoproteomics, protein engineering, and synthetic chemistry to uncover how proteoglycans and glycans regulate cancer and viral infection pathways. My work included defining glycosylation changes in Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and providing translational insights for therapeutic antibody glyco-optimization.
Earlier, as a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Ryan Julian’s Lab at the University of California Riverside, I investigated lysosomal dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease using advanced mass spectrometry approaches. My studies revealed how spontaneous chemical modifications of long-lived proteins impair proteostasis and drive neurodegeneration, advancing our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of age-related diseases.
I earned my Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, where I developed peptide-based therapeutics and non-invasive physical modulators for Alzheimer’s disease. My doctoral work led to innovative therapeutic prototypes and a patented electric-field-based modulation device.
Across my research journey — from neurodegeneration to glycomics to human milk science — I have been driven by a single vision: to uncover how molecular systems maintain health or falter in disease, and to translate those insights into practical, life-improving solutions.
When I am not working, I stay active through sports like badminton and tennis, and I enjoy running and meditation. I love spending time with my family, reading, and learning new things. Lately, I have been exploring my creative side through graphic design.