Santosh Kumar Kuncha, PhD
Scientist at Altos Labs | Protein homeostasis, cellular resilience, and therapeutic discovery
Connecting molecular discovery with therapeutic possibilities.
I am a scientist working at the intersection of structural, molecular, and cell biology. My research explores how cells maintain protein quality, respond to stress, and preserve their function—from protein synthesis and translational quality control to autophagy and ER-phagy. I am interested in how understanding these mechanisms can reveal new opportunities for therapeutic discovery.
Alongside research, I build scientific communities and create opportunities for collaboration. My experience includes helping establish the CCMB Students’ Council, conceptualizing and coordinating the Hy-Sci conferenceHy-Sci conference, and contributing to dialogue across science, entrepreneurship, and investment through EPPIC Global.
I completed my PhD at CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India, followed by an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship at Goethe University Frankfurt.
Research & Impact
Selected Scientific Discoveries
Science / 2026
Cellular Stress Response & Cognition
Co-author
Contributed to research showing that a viral protein inhibiting the integrated stress response restored memory and synaptic function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome and aging.
Nature / 2023
Regulation of ER Renewal
Co-author
Contributed to research revealing how ubiquitination of FAM134B promotes receptor clustering and ER-phagy, uncovering a mechanism that regulates endoplasmic reticulum remodeling.
eLife / 2020
Protein Quality Control Under Stress
First author
Helped design and carry out research showing how the proofreading enzyme ATD prevents protein-synthesis errors and supports cell survival under oxidative stress
Full list of publications: Google Scholar ORCiD
Scientific leadership
Building communities around science
• Helped establish the CCMB Students’ Council.
• Conceptualized and coordinated Hy-Sci, creating opportunities for scientific exchange across institutions.
• Moderated the Founders & Funders panel at EPPICON 2026, exploring science, investment, and innovation in healthy aging.
Science in the Service of Mankind
Simpler diagnostics. Community surveillance. Support for large-scale testing.
At CSIR–CCMB, I contributed to dry-swab diagnostics, wastewater monitoring, and COVID-19 testing efforts—turning scientific expertise into public-health action.
Background
A journey across scientific disciplines
PhD
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India.
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship
Read more about My PhD Journey
Postdoc.
Institute of Biochemistry-II, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
EMBO-Postdoctoral Fellowship
Scientist
Altos Labs
Redwood City, USA
Recognition
Honors & Fellowships
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship · 2021–2023
Research in Prof. Ivan Dikic’s laboratory at Goethe University Frankfurt.
INSA Medal for Young Scientist · 2021
Recognized in Biological Science by the Indian National Science Academy.
AcSIR Best PhD Thesis Award · 2020
Awarded in Biological Sciences by the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research.
Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award · 2019
Recognized in Bio-Medical Sciences by the Sun Pharma Science Foundation.
OUTREACH & SPEAKING
Taking science beyond the laboratory
During my PhD, I helped launch a graduate outreach program with CCMB colleagues, introducing undergraduate and master’s students to research and careers in science. I also participated in outreach at SLAC, Stanford University, on October 5, 2024.
My invited talks span research and career development, including an invited talk at Annie Besant Women’s College (2023), ‘What next? Career Prospects in Life Sciences’ at St Ann’s College for Women (2022), and a lecture at Loyola Academy’s LAB-X 2k17.
On communicating science
Making a Scientific Presentation
April 2023 · Practical guidance on planning and preparing a scientific presentation.
Going Back to Black Board
March 2023 · The story behind CHALK THE TALK, an informal chalk-and-board scientific talk series.
Outreach at CDFD: Writing an EMBO Fellowship Proposal
March 2023 · Reflections on preparing an EMBO fellowship proposal.
Let's Connect
Create Your Own Website With Webador