Dr. Nikhil Raghuram

• Pediatric Neuro-oncology
• Epigenetics
• Embryonal Rare brain tumors

Dr. Nikhil Raghuram’s research interests center on pediatric neuro-oncology, with a particular emphasis on embryonal tumors of the central nervous system, including embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR). ETMRs are rare, highly aggressive pediatric brain tumors that predominantly affect very young children and are associated with poor outcomes despite intensive multimodal therapy. Dr. Raghuram’s work seeks to address the critical gaps in understanding the biology and treatment of these tumors through clinically grounded, translational research. A major focus of his research is the molecular and epigenetic landscape of ETMRs, including the role of C19MC amplification, dysregulated microRNA expression, and aberrant developmental signaling pathways that drive tumor initiation and progression. He is particularly interested in how these molecular features can be leveraged to refine diagnosis, improve risk stratification, and identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. By integrating genomic and epigenomic data with clinical variables, Dr. Raghuram aims to contribute to more precise classification frameworks and biologically informed treatment approaches. In parallel, Dr. Raghuram is interested in the clinical behavior of ETMRs, including patterns of relapse, treatment resistance, and therapy-related toxicity. There is a need to balance aggressive disease control with the long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of therapy in a highly vulnerable patient population. He is especially engaged in efforts to evaluate emerging targeted and epigenetic therapies, as well as innovative trial designs suitable for rare pediatric tumors. More broadly, Dr. Raghuram’s research reflects a commitment to collaborative, multicenter studies that bridge laboratory discovery and clinical application. Through his focus on ETMRs, he aims to advance biologically driven, less toxic treatment strategies and ultimately improve survival and quality of life for children affected by these devastating tumors.