Akash Verma

Hi! My name is Akash, and I am a third-year undergraduate pursuing a major in neuroscience with minors in chemistry and healthcare management. Research has played a foundational role in shaping my academic experience at Penn. My interests primarily lie in neuro-oncology and the translation of innovative treatments to improve patient outcomes. I currently work in labs focused on pediatric oncology and spinal surgery. These experiences have helped me understand how clinical care and biomedical research are closely intertwined. Engaging with a diverse array of projects and methodologies has broadened my perspective and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in research.

As an RPA, I’m excited to assist aspiring undergraduate researchers in exploring tailored research opportunities, becoming acclimated to diverse lab environments, and developing skills like writing manuscripts and presenting abstracts. I look forward to working with you as you navigate your research journey here at Penn.

• Translational Oncology Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Oncology - Conduct research focused on the pediatric tumor neuroblastoma to identify principal oncogenic pathways for the development of novel therapeutics. Currently carrying out an expanded study investigating the coupled effects of arginine deprivation (ADI) and polyamine depletion (DFMO) to disrupt metabolic and translational pathways critical to tumor growth and progression.
• Clinical Neurosurgery Research, Penn Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery - Conduct advanced research to support the development of surgical devices and enhance patient and surgeon outcomes within the context of spine surgery. Currently leading a comprehensive analysis of spine surgeon radiation exposure using formal dose-equivalent metrics to establish a regulated method to predict long-term stochastic cancer risk with heightened accuracy.
• Accepted abstracts to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (2025)
• Accepted manuscript for publication in Frontiers in Surgery (2025)
• Recipient of Robert A. Fox Research and Service Fellowship (2024)