Dr. Ranjit Bindra, a physician-scientist at Yale, has been elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering for his significant contributions to cancer research and treatment.
Dr. Ranjit Bindra, an Indian American physician-scientist at the Yale School of Medicine, has been elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) for 2026. This prestigious recognition highlights his contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
As the Co-Director of the Yale Brain Tumor Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital, Bindra is among eight faculty members selected for this year’s cohort of leading experts. The election to CASE is open to scientists and engineers who reside or work in Connecticut, with consideration based on significant original contributions to theory or applications, as well as pioneering accomplishments in emerging fields of applied science and technology.
The new members will be formally inducted during the academy’s 51st annual dinner, scheduled for May 19.
In his research, Dr. Bindra’s laboratory recently led a collaborative effort involving four major laboratories at Yale, resulting in a groundbreaking discovery. The team found that tumors with IDH1/2 mutations exhibit a significant DNA repair defect, making them particularly sensitive to PARP inhibitors. This pivotal work was published in esteemed journals, including Science Translational Medicine and Nature, and has garnered international attention due to its major clinical implications.
Currently, Dr. Bindra is translating these findings into clinical practice through four phase I/II clinical trials. One of these trials is an innovative, biomarker-driven study specifically targeting the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer patient population. Additionally, he serves as the lead co-principal investigator for a 35-site, National Cancer Institute-sponsored Phase II trial that tests the PARP inhibitor olaparib in adult patients with IDH1/2-mutant solid tumors.
Beyond his academic and clinical work, Dr. Bindra is also a biotech entrepreneur. He recently co-founded Cybrexa Therapeutics, a company focused on developing a novel class of small molecule DNA repair inhibitors that specifically target the tumor microenvironment. This initiative reflects his commitment to advancing cancer treatment through innovative research and development.
Dr. Bindra’s academic journey began at Yale University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry in 1998. He continued his education at the Yale School of Medicine, obtaining both his MD and PhD in 2007. Following his education, he completed his medical internship, radiation oncology residency, and post-doctoral research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, finishing in 2012.
Dr. Bindra’s election to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering underscores his significant impact on cancer research and treatment, as well as his ongoing commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative therapies. According to The American Bazaar, his work continues to inspire and lead advancements in the medical field.