She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India. With an illustrious career spanning over a decade, she has contributed significantly to the fields of Cytogenetics and Human Molecular Genetics. Her expertise lies in cardiovascular genetics, focusing on genetic analyses of congenital heart diseases (CHD) and cardiomyopathies. She leads a dedicated research laboratory at BHU, aiming to map, isolate, and characterize genes associated with familial cardiomyopathies and congenital heart diseases prevalent in the Indian population. Her primary goal is to establish DNA-based diagnostics for these disorders, a pursuit that aligns with her commitment to advancing genetic diagnostics and therapies in cardiovascular health. She continues to inspire through her dedicated teaching, extensive research, and impactful contributions to the field of genetics and cardiovascular medicine.

Early Academic Pursuits :

She embarked on her academic journey by earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Science from Utkal University, India, in 1982 and 1984, respectively. Subsequently, she pursued her Ph.D. at Banaras Hindu University, India, obtaining her doctoral degree in 1994.

Professional Endeavors :

She has a profound professional trajectory spanning prestigious institutions. She initiated her post-doctoral fellowships at the National Institute of Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Baylor College of Medicine, focusing on genes associated with spermatogenesis, radiation oncology, and genetic screening in cardiology. Her academic tenure includes appointments as Assistant Professor and subsequently as Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at Banaras Hindu University.

Contributions and Research Focus in Genetics and Molecular Biology:

Her professional journey is marked by significant contributions in the fields of Cytogenetics and Human Molecular Genetics, specializing in cardiovascular genetics, congenital heart diseases, and cardiomyopathies. Her research thrust revolves around mapping, isolating, and characterizing genes responsible for familial cardiomyopathies and congenital heart diseases. Dr. Mohapatra aims to establish DNA-based diagnostics for these disorders, emphasizing their prevalence in the Indian population.

Accolades and Recognition :

Her outstanding contributions to genetic analysis and her relentless pursuit of understanding congenital heart diseases have earned her recognition within the scientific community. Her work in cardiovascular genetics and DNA diagnostics has been acknowledged for its innovation and potential impact on healthcare.

Impact and Influence :

Her research in cardiovascular genetics holds promising implications for understanding and diagnosing congenital heart diseases and cardiomyopathies prevalent in the Indian population. Dr. Mohapatra's work can potentially influence advancements in genetic diagnostics and healthcare approaches, particularly in cardiovascular diseases.

Legacy and Future Contributions :

Notable Publications :

• Roles of transition nuclear proteins in spermiogenesis
• Mutations in Cypher/ZASPin patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular non-compaction
• Mutations in the muscle LIM protein and α-actinin-2 genes in dilated cardiomyopathy and endocardial fibroelastosis
• Targeted disruption of the transition protein 2 gene affects sperm chromatin structure and reduces fertility in mice
• Transition nuclear proteins are required for normal chromatin condensation and functional sperm development
• Identification and functional characterization of NODAL rare variants in heterotaxy and isolated cardiovascular malformations
• α-1-syntrophin mutation and the long-QT syndrome: a disease of sodium channel disruption
• Tinman/Nkx2-5 acts via miR-1 and upstream of Cdc42 to regulate heart function across species
• Transcription factor neuromancer/TBX20 is required for cardiac function in Drosophila with implications for human heart disease
• Cloning of a novel human testis mRNA specifically expressed in testicular haploid germ cells, having unique palindromic sequences and encoding a leucine zipper dimerization motif