Research interest
I owe much of my research journey to the mentors who shaped my interests along the way. For example, my high school biology teachers went beyond textbook teaching, encouraging me to explore biology through real-world observations and experiments in nature. This early exposure inspired me to pursue biology for my undergraduate degree. I stumbled into research somewhat by accident, introduced by a friend who was passionate about research, and quickly realized that it was a path I deeply enjoyed and never wanted to go. As my academic journey progressed, two professors were particularly influential in shaping my research direction. One introduced me to developmental biology and powerful Drosophila Model biology, while others sparked my curiosity in unraveling the complexities of cancer, through a compelling course in cancer biology. His guidance was instrumental in defining both my scientific interests and the model systems I continue to work with today.
My motivation to pursue biomedical research also stems from an early recognition that cancer treatment disparities, often exacerbated by the high cost of treatment, are deeply rooted in social inequality. This realization continues to shape the commitment to address health care disparities through science, particularly by investigating how social determinants affect health outcomes. My research interests are at the intersection of developmental biology, metabolism and disease, where I aim to understand how fundamental cellular processes are regulated during development and their disruption leads to diseases. To this end, I use fruit flies to study conserved biological pathways that govern metabolism, growth signaling, and disease development. Drosophila offers several advantages for biomedical research, such as genetic tractability, a short life cycle, and a high degree of conservation with proteins involved in human diseases. Its suitability for large-scale genetic screens using RNA interference and CRISPR, combined with its cost-effectiveness, make it an ideal system for dissecting complex biological mechanisms. I am particularly interested in using an integrative approach – understanding genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry – to show how disruptions in metabolic regulation contribute to diseases such as cancer.
As a PhD-trained scientist, you have many career options. What interests you the most?
I am drawn to academia and a career that combines academic research with innovation and development.
Research-based careers in an academic setting are a good fit for me because they offer the intellectual freedom to pursue fundamental questions that deepen our understanding of biology, while also contributing to the broader scientific community. I live my professional life in a state I call “research high.” The process of discovery, from experiments to interpretation of results, is challenging as well as rewarding. Academia provides a unique space where I can combine my passion for research with mentoring and teaching, hoping that the next generation of scientists will become as passionate about science and research as I am. The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of academic research also fuels my curiosity and creativity, allowing me to continually learn and grow while making meaningful contributions to science and society.
Doing science in an academic setting comes with its own struggles and challenges. But, when I ask myself, would other career paths have less challenges? The answer is often no! Every career path offers some good things and some dark sides. So does academia. To me, it still looks like a good fit.
In addition to your research, how do you intend to advance the scientific enterprise?
In addition to research, I want to advance the scientific enterprise by mentoring, advocating for open and collaborative science, and contributing to science communication. I have mentored students from diverse backgrounds, helping them develop both technical and critical thinking skills, and I am committed to building a supportive environment where young scientists can excel. The goal is to support intrepid future scientists with a scientific approach, mindset and kindness.
I support efforts to make scientific findings more accessible to the public and policy makers. I believe that “Science is for society!” If that element is missing or done ineffectively, research and discoveries are incomplete. I want to continue to bring scientific discoveries to children and the public to help develop logical mindsets, break down superstitions, dispel misinformation, and ultimately help improve our society. In my opinion, it is important to conduct scientific research, but it is even more important to use this knowledge for social growth and to change societal perspectives.
On a lighter note – if anyone is interested in collaborating on a theater production that explores the evolution of science and technology, the journey of human evolution, or the lives of great scientific minds, I would be delighted to be a part of it. Whether as a side project or a creative passion, I would love to bring science to the stage!
As a leader in the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to develop practical tools, such as online resources, panel discussions, and initiatives that make search committees and recruiters more accessible to applicants, so that early-career scientists can more effectively navigate their career paths. In developing these resources, I also aim to broaden my understanding of the diverse opportunities available within and beyond academia and the strategies needed to successfully pursue them. I saw GSA’s Early Career Leadership Program as an ideal platform to develop as a leader, hone those ideas, and contribute to meaningful improvements in career development efforts. The program’s structure provides a unique opportunity to put ideas into practice while gaining valuable experience in collaborative environmental and social engagement.
There are often programs, support, full mentorships, and review committees for graduate students and new faculty, but this structure and support is lacking in the middle of postdoctoral research. Depending on your university or institute, salaries, timelines, responsibilities and expectations for postdocs vary significantly, making this an important time where responsibilities increase, compared to those just starting their journey and those who have secured a faculty position. I want to provide resources, networking opportunities, and one-on-one contacts for postdoctoral researchers to support them on their journey.
For my personal and professional growth, I hope to learn and maintain a strong network with GSA staff, colleagues, and community leadership.
Previous leadership experience
I am always looking for opportunities to develop leadership skills. As a result, I have gained many experiences in my educational journey. Following are some experiences that were challenging and, therefore, taught me key leadership skills.
As an undergraduate, I served as co-leader of the Biological Sciences Association, where I organized educational and outreach events for fellow students. One of our major technical events was a project-based competition that required teams to develop and implement a research proposal within two to three months. For the first time, I wasn’t going to work on the project myself. Instead, I was responsible for mentoring and guiding a group of junior students. This transition from individual contributor to team leader was challenging, especially since I had no prior experience as a teacher. However, the experience taught me three essential leadership lessons: 1) the importance of clearly communicating goals and expectations, 2) the value of delegating responsibility and trusting others to take ownership, and 3) the value of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of each team member. Under my leadership, the team not only completed the project on time but also secured third place in the competition, proudly representing our commitment.
As the former co-chair of the Postdoctoral Association at Indiana University Bloomington, I organized a range of professional development webinars, career panels, and networking events that connect postdocs with leaders in academia, industry, and science communication. One of the biggest challenges I faced was encouraging sustained participation from the postdoctoral community. Factors such as demanding schedules, pressure to publish, and the ongoing struggle to balance research, mentoring, and personal life often limit attendance. It was challenging! Through this experience, I learned to approach leadership with patience and persistence, to engage through personalized one-on-one outreach, and perhaps most importantly, to not measure my success solely by event turnout. I valued the quality of the connections made, and the long-term impact of creating spaces for dialogue and support, even when the results weren’t immediately visible.
I volunteered at the Science and Research Opportunities in India (SCI-ROI) conference held virtually in 2020, a year that brought global global challenges. The conference aims to connect research scholars in the US with an Indian diaspora of scholars in academic and non-academic settings, useful for those seeking to relocate to India. This was my first experience organizing a completely virtual event. Beyond the logistical constraints of the pandemic, one of the biggest challenges was maintaining participant focus, attention and engagement in an online format. Through this experience, I developed valuable leadership and technical skills, including managing webinars, breakout rooms, moderating sessions, moderating live chat discussions, and effectively using virtual networking platforms. Most importantly, I learned how to collaborate effectively with a team I had never met in person. This experience fundamentally reshaped my understanding of virtual engagement and remote teamwork.
