Prabhakar, Apurva T.

Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Apurva T. Prabhakar, BDS, MS, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Philips Institute for Oral Health Research and an Associate Member of the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research focuses on human papillomavirus (HPV)-host interactions, investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate viral persistence, DNA damage response signaling, and HPV-associated cancer development. Through her work, she aims to identify novel therapeutic targets for HPV-driven malignancies, particularly HPV-positive head and neck cancers.

Originally from India, she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from M.S. Ramaiah Dental College, followed by an MS from the University of Louisville and a PhD in Tumor Virology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research has contributed to defining critical roles of HPV16 E2-mediated signaling pathways in viral genome maintenance and the viral life cycle.

Apurva is an active member of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) and is passionate about mentorship, scientific collaboration, and supporting the professional development of early-career researchers in the papillomavirus field.