Niharika obtained her PhD in 2014 in Professor Janet Lord’s laboratory, where she investigated how chronic stress, specifically hip fracture and depression accelerate immune ageing. Following her doctorate, she continued her research at the University of Birmingham, focusing on the potential for lifelong physical activity to slow or reverse immunosenescence. In recognition of this work, she received the Korenchevsky Award from the British Society for Research in Ageing in 2017.
In 2019, Niharika was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Inflammation and Ageing, marking the beginning of her independent academic career and the establishment of her research programme investigating the gut–immune axis across the life course. Shortly thereafter, she was awarded a Springboard Award from the Academy of Medical Sciences (2020), supporting the development of this work.
Now an Associate Professor, her research spans mechanistic discovery through to early‑phase human trials, integrating multi‑omics, immune profiling and nutritional science. Her broader vision is to develop scalable, equitable and evidence‑based strategies that enhance immune and physiological function across diverse ageing populations, bridging fundamental biology with real‑world interventions. Her programme is supported by major funders including the BBSRC, the Ageing Biology Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, Marie Curie and Industry partners such as AstraZeneca and Yakult.
Niharika’s long‑term vision for ageing research is to build on the mechanistic insights gained over the past and translating her laboratory discoveries into early‑phase clinical trials, particularly those exploring microbiome‑based strategies to improve health in later life. Alongside this, she aims to identify new avenues for “anti‑ageing” interventions through strategic collaborations with industrial partners, ensuring that future solutions are scalable, equitable and grounded in robust science.