Abhayraj Joshi: I learned about CATRIN while applying for an MSCA fellowship
Expert in the use of nanomaterials in medicine Abhayraj Joshi is a newcomer to CATRIN. Since May 2026, he has been working in the Nanomaterials in Biomedicine research group thanks to his success in the European MSCA-Postdoctoral Fellowship competition under the Horizon Europe programme. Over the next two years, he will focus on developing new chimeric molecules and drug delivery systems for breast cancer treatment.
It was precisely the opportunity to obtain a prestigious two-year fellowship that brought the scientist, originally from India but previously also affiliated with the Technical University of Denmark, to Olomouc. The trained pharmacist admits that biomaterials have always fascinated him and represent his main research interest. Specifically, he focuses on targeted drug delivery systems and has previously worked on nano-drug systems for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and lung cancer.
“Thanks to my background in biology, I understand the importance of different materials for healthcare applications. I was therefore looking for a place where these fields intersect, and CATRIN seemed to be the ideal institute. That is why I decided to join it,” said the researcher. In Olomouc, he will work on developing specially designed molecules and systems capable of delivering these molecules directly to breast cancer cells and eliminating them. The aim is to improve treatment efficiency while minimising side effects on healthy tissues.
Abhayraj considers obtaining the European MSCA postdoctoral fellowship with a score of 96 per cent to be his greatest scientific achievement so far. “I would sincerely like to thank everyone who helped me prepare the proposal, participated in discussions and provided valuable guidance and support. It was a shared success,” he said. The project combines two cutting-edge technologies – smart nanotechnology and targeted protein degradation technology that can inhibit the tumour formation and progression.
The multidisciplinary Nano-LYTAC project, bringing together experts in nanomedicine, pharmaceutical technologies and nanotoxicology, will allow him to further develop his expertise in nanotherapy and tumour biology while also contributing to his long-term goal of establishing his own research group focused on advanced cancer therapies. “My goal is to establish myself as a research group leader and build my own team in academia. I would like to continue exploring new nanomaterials for biomedical applications in collaboration with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and a wide range of scientific partners,” explained the scientist.
Alongside his professional responsibilities, he is gradually discovering the beauty of Olomouc. “I really like this city. In my opinion, it is a wonderful example of a place where history meets modern life. I have not yet had the chance to explore everything, but so far my favourite place is the historic city centre. I would also like to learn more about Czech and local culture, so I plan to enrol in a Czech language course soon,” he concluded.
