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Sonika Agarwal, MBBS, MD, DNB, MNAMS

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Instructor, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Sonika Agarwal is an Instructor in the Department of Symptom Research at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. She completed her medical education and training (MBBS, MD-OBGYN) at Sir Sunderlal University Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences and Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, and subsequently was an Assistant Professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, India.

She brings to M. D. Anderson more than 10 years' experience in clinical and operative gynecology/obstetrics, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and development of clinical research trials at AIIMS, the preeminent tertiary healthcare and research institute in India. During her tenure at AIIMS, she participated in large rural national-level research studies, collaborative research funded by the World Health Organization and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (India), and quality-improvement projects on reproductive health and gynecologic oncology.

Dr. Agarwal has authored or coauthored more than 30 research articles in various peer-reviewed journals, along with several book chapters and scientific monographs. She has won numerous awards for academic excellence throughout her medical career, including the "Best Student," "University Medal," and "Best Intern" prizes, and she received "Best Paper Presentation" awards at consecutive regional and national conferences from 2001-2004.

Dr. Agarwal is focusing specifically on development and management of clinical trials examining enhanced treatments for the symptom burden of cancer and cancer treatment, with the ultimate aim of improving patient function, satisfaction, endurance for therapy, and quality of life during and after treatment.

Research Interests

Dr. Agarwal's research interests center on the design and development of clinical trials pertaining to the symptoms experienced by patients with cancer -- gynecological cancer in particular -- and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for improving cancer symptoms and cancer treatments. Her research designs propose to improve management of pain and associated symptoms and to enhance understanding and treatment of symptoms in patients with cancer through evidence-based clinical trials and collaborative research projects. Her long-term research goal is to develop effective strategies to improve patient function, control side effects, and enhance quality of life during and after treatment.

Office Address

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Unit Number: 1450
Houston, TX 77030
Room Number: FCT11.5062
Phone: 713-563-2064
Fax: 713-745-3475
Email: sagarwal@mdanderson.org

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1995 Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, India, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology
1991 IMS, BHU, Varanasi, India, MBBS, Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery

Postgraduate Training

1/1992-12/1995 Clinical Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, SSH University Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Board Certifications

5/2007 United States Medical Licensure Examinations Steps 1,2,3
6/1996 National Board of Medical Examinations, DNB, India

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India, 8/2002-4/2005

Honors and Awards

2001-2003 Best Paper Presentation, Association of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Delhi
1995 Best Research Paper, Dr. U Sharma Gold Medal
1992 Highest marks in III Professional MBBS, Pfizer Gold Medal & University Prize
1991 Banaras Hindu University Medal
1991 Best Intern, CK Wadhwa Memorial Award
1991 Highest marks in Surgery, Assocation of Surgeons of India Medal & Cash Prize
1991 IMS Alumni Association Gold Medal & Cash prize
1991 First Position, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, India
1990 Best student of the year award
1990 First Position, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, India
1988-1991 Honors - Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, India
1988 First Position, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, India

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Roy KK, Agarwal R, Agarwal S, Kumar S, Malhotra N, Gopendru N. Recurrent vulval congenital lymphangioma circumscriptum--a case report and literature review. Int J Gynecol Cancer 16(2):930-4, Mar-Apr, 3/2006. PMID: 16681790.
2. Roy KK, Sonika A, Charu C, Sunesh K, Neena M. Labial adhesions in pubertal girls. Arch Gynecol Obstet 273(4):243-5, 1/2006. e-Pub 9/2005. PMID: 16189695.
3. Mittal S, Agarwal S, Kumar S, Batra A. Comparison or oral versus vaginal misoprostol & continued use of misoprostol after mifepristone for early medical abortion. Indian J Med Res 122(2):132-6, 8/2005. PMID: 16177470.
4. Agarwal R, Agarwal S, Roy KK, Kumar S. Diploid partial mole with neonatal survival--a case report. Indian J Pathol Microbiol 48(2):225-7, 4/2005. PMID: 16758676.
5. Roy KK, Agarwal S, Bannerjee K, Kumar S, Chanana C. Gravid uterus in a incisional hernia leading to burst abdomen. The Internet J Gynecol Obstet 5(1), 2005.
6. Agarwal S, Mittal S. A randomized prospective trial of intrauterine insemination versus timed intercourse in superovulated cycles with clomiphene. Indian J Med Res 120(6):519-22, 12/2004. PMID: 15654136.
7. Agarwal S, Agarwal A. Blood pressure patterns in undernourished pregnant women in rural Varanasi. J Obstet Gynecol Ind 54:251-54, 2004.
8. Agarwal S, Kumar S, Roy KK. Misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: importance of ultrasonography before early termination of pregnancy. Ultrasound International 10:136-39, 2004.
9. Agarwal R, Agarwal S, Kumar S, Roy KK. Placental mesenchymal dysplasia. Ultrasound International 10:89-90, 2004.
10. Agarwal S, Agarwal R, Kumar S, Roy KK. Prerupture ultrasonographic diagnosis of a live twin pregnancy in the rudimentary horn. Ultrasound International 10:57-60, 2004.
11. Roy KK, Agarwal S, Kumar S, Halhotra N, Sinha A. Trends in teenage pregnancy in rural and urban India. Int J of Gyn Obs India 7:37-40, 2004.
12. Agarwal R, Roy KK, Deka D, Vashist S, Sinha A, Agarwal S. Comparison of various diagnostic modalities: clinical examination, ultrasonography, color doppler, computerized tomography and aspiration cytology as predictors of ovarian malignancy. Ultrasound International 9:130-37, 2003.
13. Agarwal S, Agarwal A, Bansal AK, Agarwal DK, Agarwal KN. Birth weight patterns in rural undernourished pregnant women. Indian Pediatrics 39(3):244-53, 3/2002. PMID: 11910133.
14. Agarwal S, Agarwal A, Agarwal KN, Agarwal DK, Bansal A. Physical activity and pregnancy outcome in rural undernourished women. Indian Pediatrics 38(9):1017-22, 9/2001. PMID: 11568377.
15. Agarwal KN, Agarwal DK, Agarwal A, Rai S, Prasad R, Agarwal S, Singh TB. Impact of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) on maternal nutrition and birth weight in rural Varanasi. Indian Pediatrics 37(12):1321-7, 12/2000. PMID: 11119334.
16. Agarwal DK, Agarwal KN, Satya K, Agarwal S. Weight gain during pregnancy- a key factor in perinatal and infant mortality. Indian Pediatrics 35(8):733-43, 8/1998. PMID: 10216567.
17. Deka D, Agarwal S, Buckshee K. Intrauterine or Ectopic Pregnancy: importance of ultrasound and/or histopathology for documentation in early medical termination. J Obstet Gynecol India 88(4):32, 1998.

Invited Articles
1. Mittal S, Agarwal S. Adolescent contraception - an update. Obs & Gyne Today 5:404-09, 2000.
Other Articles
1. Agarwal S, Roy KK, Kumar S. Acute uterine inversion during cesarean section. Int J Gyn Obs India 7:51-2, 2004.

Book Chapters
1. Agarwal KN, Gupta V, Agarwal S. Effect of Maternal Iron Status on Placenta, Fetus & Newborn. In: Textbook of Pediatrics. Lokeshwar et al. In Press.
2. Agarwal KN, Agarwal S. Instant Nutrition in Medical Practice. In: Instant Nutrition in Medical Practice. In Press.
3. Mittal S, Agarwal S. Pediatric Gynecological Disorders - Diagnosis & Management. In: Pediatric Surgery - Diagnosis and Management, D K Gupta, General. Ed(s) In Gupta DK. Jaypee Bros. Delhi, India, 1370-1380, 2008.
4. Agarwal S, Mittal S. Gynecological disorders in childhood. In: Texbook of Pediatrics, First Ed. MBD Publishers, 34-42, 1999.
5. Agarwal S, Mittal S. The Unborn Patient. In: Textbook of Pediatrics. MBD: Delhi, India, 113-22, 1999.
 

Other
1. Scientific Monograph. Mittal S, Agarwal S, Kumar S, Batra A.  Medical Abortion In India.  Consortium On National Consensus for Medical Abortion In India, 1 (1, Serial No. 1).  2003.
2. Scientific Monograph. Mittal S.  Emergency Contraception In India.  Consortium For Emergency Contraception In India, 1 (1, Serla No. 1). 2002.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: A randomised controlled trial of IUI vs timed intercourse in superovulated cycles with clomiphene.
Funding Source: CSIR, Delhi, India
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 3/15/1999 - 8/8/2002
 
Title: WHO multinational study of three misoprostol regimens after mifepristone for early medical abortion
Funding Source: World Health Organisation
Role: Research Scientist
Principal Investigator: Mittal Suneeta
Duration: 11/15/1998 - 3/15/2000
 
Title: Maternal Nutrition & Fetal Outcome
Funding Source: Indian Council of Medical Research, USAID
Role: Research Scientist
Duration: 1/1/1990 - 12/31/1995

Last updated: 8/31/2009