In a landmark moment for the academic community of Arunachal Pradesh, Taba Jirpu, a PhD research scholar at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), has been selected for the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship for the 2026-2027 academic year. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as Jirpu becomes the first student from Arunachal Pradesh to be awarded this specific doctoral fellowship. She is scheduled to travel to the United States this August to pursue her research.
Jirpu, who is from Potin village in the Keyi Panyor district, got her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Gargi College at the University of Delhi. She is currently a senior research scholar in the Molecular Biology and Biomarker Discovery Laboratory in RGU’s Department of Zoology, where she does her doctoral research with the help of Dr. Arnab Ghosh. Her research focuses on the vital domain of cancer biology, particularly striving to create innovative therapies for pancreatic cancer patients through the application of extracellular vesicles.Jirpu, who hails from Potin village in the Keyi Panyor district, completed her undergraduate studies in zoology at Gargi College, University of Delhi. Currently, she serves as a senior research scholar in the Molecular Biology and Biomarker Discovery Laboratory within RGU’s Department of Zoology, where she conducts her doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. Arnab Ghosh. Her work is centered on the critical field of cancer biology, specifically aiming to develop advanced therapeutics for pancreatic cancer patients by utilizing extracellular vesicles.
The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship is very competitive and is for Indian PhD students who want to do research in the US. Other scholars from Arunachal Pradesh, like Liyi Marli Noshi (2024) and Mamu Hage (2026), have already been chosen for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, which is for professionals in the middle of their careers. Jirpu’s selection, on the other hand, is a first for the state in the doctoral research category.
People all over the state are celebrating the news. Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister, praised her achievement, saying, “She is the first student from the university and Arunachal Pradesh to get this honor.” Her research in cancer biology, which focuses on using extracellular vesicles to find better treatments for pancreatic cancer, is both useful and forward-looking. Chowna Mein, the Deputy Chief Minister, also sent his best wishes and hoped that Jirpu’s success would inspire young people in the state to do well in science.
The leaders at Rajiv Gandhi University agreed with these ideas. Prof. SK Nayak, the Vice-Chancellor (i/c), said that the achievement shows how the university is always trying to do great research. Prof. Hui Tag, Dean of Life Sciences, also praised Jirpu’s consistency, saying that her research on extracellular vesicle biology is a new area with a lot of potential to change cancer treatments. As she gets ready to move to the US, Jirpu is a great example of the academic potential coming out of the Northeast.
