Researcher biography
Soumyalekshmi Nair has a degree in Veterinary and Animal Sciences (2009) and a Master of Veterinary Science in Animal Biotechnology (2011) from India. She completed her PhD in 2021 from the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland. In her PhD she investigated the role of extracellular vesicles in gestational diabetes mellitus which involves developing extracellular vesicle -based biomarker for the early screening of pregnant women as well as therapeutic targets for the treatment of women with gestational diabetes. She was awarded the Research Training Scholarship from the University of Queensland and received prestigious awards from the Society of Reproductive Investigation and Australian and New Zealand Society for Extracellular Vesicles. Currently she is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Exosome Biology Lab, UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR). Her research interest is understanding the molecular mechanism by which extracellular vesicles can regulate the key signalling pathways in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and ovarian cancer, with a focus on translating this knowledge into clinical utility. She has several key publications in the field including research articles and reviews and presented at major national and international conferences. She is passionate about supporting women in science and enhancing community engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Book Chapter
Nair, Soumyalekshmi and Salomon, Carlos (2020). Potential role of exosomes in reproductive medicine and pregnancy. Exosomes: A Clinical Compendium. (pp. 357-381) edited by Lawrence Edelstein, John Smythies, Peter Quesenberry and Denis Noble. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-816053-4.00016-X
Journal Articles
Jayabalan, Nanthini, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Lai, Andrew, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Razo-Azamar, Melissa, Ormazabal, Valeska, Lim, Ratana, Carrion, Flavio, Guanzon, Dominic, Rice, Gregory E., McIntyre, Harold David, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2025). Extracellular vesicle-associated miR-515-5p from adipose tissue regulates placental metabolism and fetal growth in gestational diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 24 (1) 205, 205. doi: 10.1186/s12933-025-02739-z
Nilesh D'Crus, Angel, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Jellins, Jessica, Da Silva Costa, Fabricio, Hyett, Jon and Salomon, Carlos (2025). Does aspirin affect extracellular vesicles involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hypertension. doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.125.24826
Palma, Carlos, Masud, Mostafa Kamal, Guanzon, Dominic, Lai, Andrew, Razo, Melissa, Nakahara, Angela, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Salas-Burgos, Alexis, Hossain, Md Shahriar A., Carrion, Flavio, Duncombe, Gregory, McIntyre, H. David, Handberg, Aase, Longo, Sherri, Yamauchi, Yusuke and Salomon, Carlos (2025). Rapid and high-sensitivity screening of pregnancy complications by profiling circulating placental extracellular vesicles. Science Advances, 11 (9) eadr4074, eadr4074. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr4074
Alharbi, Mona, Lai, Andrew, Godbole, Nihar, Guanzon, Dominic, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Zuñiga, Felipe, Quinn, Alexander, Yang, Mengliu, Wu, Sherry Y. and Salomon, Carlos (2024). Enhancing precision targeting of ovarian cancer tumor cells in vivo through extracellular vesicle engineering. International Journal of Cancer, 155 (8), 1510-1523. doi: 10.1002/ijc.35055
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Razo-Azamar, Melissa, Jayabalan, Nanthini, Dalgaard, Louise T., Palacios-González, Berenice, Sørensen, Anne, Kampmann, Ulla, Handberg, Aase, Carrion, Flavio and Salomon, Carlos (2024). Advances in extracellular vesicles as mediators of cell-to-cell communication in pregnancy. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 76, 86-98. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.12.004
Garcia, Nahuel Aquiles, Gonzalez-King, Hernan, Mellergaard, Maiken, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Salomon, Carlos and Handberg, Aase (2024). Comprehensive strategy for identifying extracellular vesicle surface proteins as biomarkers for chronic kidney disease. Frontiers in Physiology, 15 1328362, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1328362
Palma, Carlos, Lai, Andrew, Scholz‐Romero, Katherin, Chittoory, Haarika, Van Haeringen, Benjamin, Carrion, Flavio, Handberg, Aase, Lappas, Martha, Lakhani, Sunil R., McCart Reed, Amy E, McIntyre, H. David, Nair, Soumyalekshmi and Salomon, Carlos (2024). Differential response of placental cells to high D‐glucose and its impact on extracellular vesicle biogenesis and trafficking via small GTPase Ras‐related protein RAB‐7A. Journal of Extracellular Biology, 3 (1) e135, e135. doi: 10.1002/jex2.135
Iannotta, Dalila, Amruta A., Lai, Andrew, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Koifman, Na'ama, Lappas, Martha, Salomon, Carlos and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Chemically‐Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification. Small, 20 (18) 2307240, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/smll.202307240
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Nova-Lamperti, Estefania, Labarca, Gonzalo, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Short, Kirsty R., Carrión, Flavio and Salomon, Carlos (2023). Genomic communication via circulating extracellular vesicles and long-term health consequences of COVID-19. Journal of Translational Medicine, 21 (1) 709, 1-19. doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-04552-2
Rani, Shikha, Lai, Andrew, Nair, Soumya, Sharma, Shayna, Handberg, Aase, Carrion, Flavio, Möller, Andreas and Salomon, Carlos (2023). Extracellular vesicles as mediators of cell-cell communication in ovarian cancer and beyond – A lipids focus. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 73, 52-68. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.06.004
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Ormazabal, Valeska, Carrion, Flavio, Handberg, Aase, McIntyre, H. David and Salomon, Carlos (2023). Extracellular vesicle-mediated targeting strategies for long-term health benefits in gestational diabetes. Clinical Science, 137 (16), 1311-1332. doi: 10.1042/cs20220150
James-Allan, Laura B, Rosario, Frederick J, Madi, Lana, Barner, Kelsey, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Lai, Andrew, Carrion, Flavio, Powell, Theresa L, Salomon, Carlos and Jansson, Thomas (2022). A novel technique using chronic infusion of small extracellular vesicles from gestational diabetes mellitus causes glucose intolerance in pregnant mice. Clinical Science, 136 (21), 1535-1549. doi: 10.1042/cs20220484
Ormazabal, Valeska, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Carrión, Flavio, Mcintyre, H David and Salomon, Carlos (2022). The link between gestational diabetes and cardiovascular diseases: potential role of extracellular vesicles. Cardiovascular diabetology, 21 (1) 174, 174. doi: 10.1186/s12933-022-01597-3
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Guanzon, Dominic, Jayabalan, Nanthini, Lai, Andrew, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Kalita de Croft, Priyakshi, Ormazabal, Valeska, Palma, Carlos, Diaz, Emilio, McCarthy, Elizabeth A., Shub, Alexis, Miranda, Jezid, Gratacós, Eduard, Crispi, Fátima, Duncombe, Gregory, Lappas, Martha, McIntyre, H. David, Rice, Gregory and Salomon, Carlos (2021). Extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs are an adaptive response to gestational diabetes mellitus. Journal of Translational Medicine, 19 (1) 360, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12967-021-02999-9
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Ormazabal, Valeska, Lappas, Martha, McIntyre, H. David and Salomon, Carlos (2021). Extracellular vesicles and their potential role inducing changes in maternal insulin sensitivity during gestational diabetes mellitus. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 85 (2) e13361, e13361. doi: 10.1111/aji.13361
Nakahara, Angela, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Ormazabal, Valeska, Elfeky, Omar, Garvey, Cathryn E., Longo, Sherri and Salomon, Carlos (2020). Circulating placental extracellular vesicles and their potential roles during pregnancy. Ochsner Journal, 20 (4), 439-445. doi: 10.31486/toj.20.0049
Nair, Soumyalekshmi and Salomon, Carlos (2020). Extracellular vesicles as critical mediators of maternal-fetal communication during pregnancy and their potential role in maternal metabolism. Placenta, 98, 60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.06.011
Jayabalan, Nanthini, Lai, Andrew, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Guanzon, Dominic, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Palma, Carlos, McIntyre, Harold David, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Quantitative proteomics by SWATH-MS suggest an association between circulating exosomes and maternal metabolic changes in gestational diabetes mellitus. Proteomics, 19 (1-2) 1800164, e1800164. doi: 10.1002/pmic.201800164
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Jayabalan, Nanthini, Guanzon, Dominic, Palma, Carlos, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Elfeky, Omar, Zuñiga, Felipe, Ormazabal, Valeska, Diaz, Emilio, Rice, Gregory E., Duncombe, Gregory, Jansson, Thomas, McIntyre, Harold David, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2018). Human placental exosomes in gestational diabetes mellitus carry a specific set of miRNAs associated with skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. Clinical Science, 132 (22), 2451-2467. doi: 10.1042/cs20180487
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Tang, Kai Dun, Kenny, Liz and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2018). Salivary exosomes as potential biomarkers in cancer. Oral Oncology, 84, 31-40. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2018.07.001
Ormazabal, Valeska, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Elfeky, Omar, Aguayo, Claudio, Salomon, Carlos and Zuñiga, Felipe A. (2018). Association between insulin resistance and the development of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 17 (1) 122, 122. doi: 10.1186/s12933-018-0762-4
Nair, Soumyalekshmi and Salomon, Carlos (2018). Extracellular vesicles and their immunomodulatory functions in pregnancy. Seminars in Immunopathology, 40 (5), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s00281-018-0680-2
Miranda, Jezid, Paules, Cristina, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Lai, Andrew, Palma, Carlos, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Rice, Gregory E., Gratacos, Eduard, Crispi, Fatima and Salomon, Carlos (2018). Placental exosomes profile in maternal and fetal circulation in intrauterine growth restriction - Liquid biopsies to monitoring fetal growth. Placenta, 64, 34-43. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.02.006
Jayabalan, Nanthini, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Nuzhat, Zarin, Rice, Gregory E., Zuniga, Felipe A., Sobrevia, Luis, Leiva, Andrea, Sanhueza, Carlos, Agustin Gutierrez, Jaime, Lappas, Martha, Freeman, Dilys Jane and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Cross talk between adipose tissue and placenta in obese and gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies via exosomes. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 8 (SEP) 239, 239. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00239
Conference Papers
D'Crus, Angel Nilesh, Jellins, Jessica, Lai, Andrew, Guanzon, Dominic, Carrion, Flavio, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Hyett, Jon and Salomon, Carlos (2023). Effect of aspirin on the circulating extracellular vesicle proteomic profile in women at risk for preeclampsia. 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 21-25 March 2023. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.
Nair, Soumyalekshmi S., Guanzon, Dominic, Jayabalan, Nanthini, Lai, Andrew, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Carrion, Flavio, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2023). Unique tissue specific miRNA motifs in placenta and adipose tissue regulate changes in insulin sensitivity in healthy pregnancy and gestational diabetes. 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 21-25 March 2023. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.
Nair, Soumyalekshmi S., Lai, Andrew, McIntyre, David, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Quantitative proteomics using SWATH in skeletal muscle and placenta from gestational diabetes mellitus reveals novel alterations associated with glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity during pregnancy. 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Paris, France, March 12-16, 2019. Thousand Oaks, CA, United States: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1933719119834079
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Ormazabal, Valeska, Ramirez, Macarena, Lai, Andrew, Scholz Romero, Katherin, McIntyre, David, Diaz, Emilio, Zuniga, Felipe, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Protein analysis in skeletal muscle from gestational diabetes mellitus and their association with insulin signalling during pregnancy. Meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA), Tokyo, Japan, 21-24 September, 2018. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.06.307
Ormazabal, Valeska, Adam, Stefanie, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Diaz, Emilio, Zuniga, Felipe, McIntyre, David, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2019). Levels of extracellular vesicles and their associated miRNAs in maternal and fetal circulation during normal and diabetic pregnancies. Meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA), Tokyo, Japan, 21-24 September, 2018. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.06.306
Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Jayabalan, Nanthini, Guanzon, Dominic, Lai, Andrew, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Elfeky, Omar, Zuniga, Felipe, Diaz, Emilio, McIntyre, David, Rice, Gregory E., Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2018). Interactions between placental exosomes and skeletal muscle implication in cell metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus. 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society-for-Reproductive-Investigation (SRI), San Diego, CA, United States, 6-10 March 2018. Thousand Oaks, CA, United States: Sage. doi: 10.1177/1933719118759999
Guanzon, Dominic, Jayabalan, Nanthini, Palma, Carlos, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Scholz-Romero, Katherin, Kinhal, Vyjayanthi, Lai, Andrew, McIntyre, David, Jansson, Thomas, Rice, Gregory, Lappas, Martha and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Exosomes present in circulation of women with gestational diabetes mellitus carry a specific set of microRNAs associated with insulin resistant. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester, United Kingdom, Aug 30-Sep 2 2017. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.134
Schlabritz-Loutsevitch, Natalia, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Bednov, Andrey, Moore, David, Brownbill, Paul, Ventolini, Gary, Palma, Carlos, Kinhal, Vyjayanthi and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Differential effect of maternal hypoxia on syncytiotrophoblast-and endothelial-derived exosomes in an ex vivo human dual-perfusion system. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester England, Aug 30-Sep 2 2017. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.290
Schlabritz-Loutsevitch, Natalia, Dick, Edward, Hubbard, Gene, Perez, Cathy, Chuecos, Marcel, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Palma, Carlos, Kinhal, Vyjayanthi and Salomon, Carlos (2017). Extracellular vesicles (ev) size in shallow trophoblast invasion in old world non-human primates. Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Manchester England, Aug 30-Sep 2 2017. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.153
Thesis
Nair, Soumyalekshmi Sukumaran (2021). Identification of therapeutic targets to regulate insulin sensitivity: potential role of placental exosomes. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/667b450