Staff Profiles

Introduction:

Dr. Cilwyn Shalitha Braganza is a medical professional from India with postgraduate training in Human Anatomy. She has gained extensive international research experience, having worked at the Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Research Institute in Ohio, USA, and at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Building on this strong research foundation, she completed her doctoral degree (PhD) with GOT certificate from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang.

Dr. Cilwyn currently serves as a faculty member in Anatomy at NUMed since 2023, where she teaches Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, and components of Pathophysiology to pre-clinical learners. Her academic and research interests are centered on medical education, with a particular focus on innovative teaching and learning approaches in Anatomy and Embryology across diverse campuses and university settings.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D in Molecular Medicine at the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang.
• PG in medical Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal University, Manipal, India.

Previous Experiences:

Teaching:

• Tutor service in the Department of Anatomy, The Ohio State University Medical Centre, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
• Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College-International Center, Manipal University, Manipal, INDIA.

Research:

• Graduate Research Assistant, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulav Pinang, Malaysia.
• Research Associate, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Center for Optical Fibre Technology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
• Research Associate, Department of Neurology, Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
• Research Assistant, Department of Neurology, Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Research Background:

• Research work was carried on the anatomical variations in cadavers.
• Human cervical xenograft tumor model and testing the anticancer potentials of the selected natural compound by induction of tumor pathogenesis, understanding the pathophysiology of xenograft on the nude mouse, and the delineation of cell death mechanisms by histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis.
• Carried research in MRSA infection-induced RAT models to study the pathogenic effects on vital organs such as kidneys, lungs, liver, heart, and spleen by histological examination.
• Research on MTT assay which is a colorimetric assay done to identify the toxicity of unknown chemical compounds.
• Pyruvate therapy to improve peripheral nerve function- for hereditary forms of nerve diseases called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies using tremblerJ mice as a model and mitofusin 2R94O transgenic mouse.
• In Vivo muscle regeneration paradigm study on mice model calpain 3-KO to understand the absence of calpain 3 in muscle restoration to gain insight into LGMD (Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy) type 2A.
• Vector delivery to assist AAV uptake-Intrathecal injections vs Facial vein injections with Mannitol comparing transgene expression. (b) Comparing direct muscle and systemic injections of CMVBAG3P209L.
• Development of acute model for Myotonic Dystrophy Type1 and therapeutic treatment of disease pathology and testing motor functions.

Research Interests:

• Academic and research interests are centered on medical education, with a particular focus on innovative teaching and learning approaches in Anatomy and Embryology across diverse campuses and university settings.

Unit Lead (MBBS)

• Case-6
• Case-9
• Assignment skills- Year-1

Teaching (MBBS)

• Embryology
• Gross Anatomy
• Histology
• Neuroanatomy
• Pathophysiology
• Physiology
• Biology on Neoplasm
• Basic First Aid (BFA) practical's
• Clinical Seminars/Reasoning
• Practical Skills in Anatomy Year 1 & 2

Teaching (BMS)

• Auditory System