Anvita Kalashristha
Community and Membership Engagement Subcommittee
Duke University
Research interest
What excites me most about my research is the opportunity to understand how genetic variation shapes disease severity and outcome in sickle cell disease (SCD), a monogenic disorder with high clinical heterogeneity. Although SCD is caused by a single point mutation in the β-globin gene, patients experience a variety of diseases, ranging from relatively mild symptoms to life-threatening complications. It is this disconnect between a simple genetic cause and complex clinical phenomena that initially drew me to the field and continues to motivate my work.
My research focuses on identifying genetic and molecular modifiers that influence disease severity in SCD, with the broader goal of translating these insights into precision medicine approaches. By analyzing large-scale human genomic datasets, I aim to uncover pathways that contribute to complications such as acute chest syndrome, leg ulcers, etc. These efforts not only deepen our understanding of disease biology, but also highlight new therapeutic targets that may be missed by conventional approaches.
I work primarily with human data, including genomic, phenotypic, and clinical datasets, which allows my research to be closely tied to patient outcomes. This direct connection to human health means a lot to me. Growing up in India, where hemoglobinopathies are highly prevalent, I learned firsthand the real-world impact of these diseases and the gaps in diagnosis and treatment. This approach shapes my commitment to conducting scientifically rigorous and socially relevant research.
Through my PhD, I have developed a strong foundation in statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and data-driven hypothesis generation. I enjoy the challenge of extracting biological insights from complex, noisy datasets and designing analyzes that can span populations and diseases. The flexibility of computational approaches enables me to ask broad questions about disease mechanisms while maintaining the ability to zoom in on specific biological processes.
In the future, I hope to continue interdisciplinary research at the intersection of genomics, global health, and human disease. I am particularly interested in applying the computational skills I have developed to a range of complex diseases, including other hematologic and cardiometabolic disorders, where genetic modifiers play an important role.
Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to research programs that translate genetic discoveries into actionable insights, helping to move precision medicine from concept to clinical reality.
What career path are you most excited to explore during your time with ECLP?
As a PhD student, I am at an early stage where I am actively constructing both my scientific identity and my long-term career goals. During my time in GSA’s Early Career Leadership Program (ECLP), I am excited to explore the many career paths that take advantage of rigorous scientific training beyond the laboratory. In particular, I am interested in understanding how careers in academia, industry, science communication, and technology commercialization differ in their approaches to scientific leadership, mentoring, and social engagement.
While academia remains an exciting prospect, especially given my interest in mentoring trainees and advancing discovery-based research, I am equally drawn to industry and translational science, where interdisciplinary teams can rapidly move genetic discoveries to real-world applications. As someone trained in computational genomics and human genetics, I am curious about roles at the intersection of data science and biology, such as research scientist positions in biotechnology/pharmaceuticals or roles focused on genomic medicine and diagnostics. I am also keen to learn more about technology commercialization, where scientific insights play an important role in shaping innovation pipelines.
What excites me most about ECLP is its emphasis on exposure, mentoring and community. Webinars and seminars organized by various subcommittees provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from scientists who have navigated diverse career paths. Learning about their experiences, the skills they prioritized, the business difficulties they faced, and the leadership challenges they faced would help me contextualize my goals and values. These perspectives are often difficult to access through traditional graduate training, yet they are essential to making informed, deliberate career decisions.
In addition, I am particularly interested in mentoring ECLP counselors on how to develop transferable leadership skills during graduate training. Skills such as effective communication, team leadership, and inclusive leadership are important in all career paths, and I hope to use ECLP as a place to consider how these skills can be developed early on.
My goal during the ECLP is not just to choose a career path, but to better understand how I can make a meaningful contribution as a leader in genetics in whatever field I enter. By engaging deeply with the program’s resources and community, I hope to emerge with greater clarity, confidence, and a broader vision of how my training in genetics can translate into impactful and fulfilling work.
Outside of your research, how do you want to advance the scientific enterprise? How do you hope to engage with fellow geneticists?
Outside of my research, I am motivated to advance the scientific enterprise by strengthening a sense of community, communication, and inclusion in the field of genetics. I believe that scientific progress depends not only on technological innovation, but also on the structures that support scientists, especially early-career researchers, as they navigate training, collaboration, and professional identity. Through my involvement in ECLP and my participation in the Community and Membership Engagement (CME) subcommittee, I hope to contribute to building a more integrated and supportive genetics community.
Within the CME subcommittee, I am particularly interested in initiatives that promote meaningful interaction among geneticists across career stages, disciplines, and disciplines. Genetics is a uniquely broad field, with people working in academia, industry, policy, education, science communication, nonprofit organizations, and government. However, early-career scientists often interact primarily with colleagues in similar training tracks, limiting exposure to the full extent of the role of genetics in society. I would like to help organize community-building programs, such as informal networking sessions, peer support groups, or mentoring programs, that bring together geneticists from diverse professional backgrounds. These spaces can encourage knowledge sharing, normalize non-academic career trajectories, and strengthen professional networks in an organic and inclusive way.
I am also interested in developing initiatives that promote continued engagement within GSA, particularly for trainees and early career members. Team building activities, peer mentoring programs, and recurring discussion groups can help foster a sense of belonging and continuity beyond single events. As someone who values collaborative environments, I see these efforts as critical to reducing isolation, encouraging participation, and empowering members to remain actively involved in society over time.
One specific contribution I hope to make is helping to curate or establish a central repertoire of opportunities relevant to early career geneticists, including leadership roles, fellowships, professional development programs, and service opportunities within GSA and the broader genetics ecosystem. Importantly, as an international student training in the United States, I am particularly aware of the challenges facing scientists who may be ineligible for many traditional opportunities. I would like to help highlight programs and resources that are accessible regardless of citizenship or visa status, thereby promoting equity and inclusion in the field.
By working with peers and established leaders through GSA, my goal is to help foster a vibrant, inclusive network where scientists feel supported, informed, and empowered. This commitment to community engagement and involvement aligns strongly with GSA’s mission, and I am excited to play an active role in advancing the genetics enterprise beyond the confines of my research.
As an early career leader at the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to achieve? Do you have previous leadership experience, if any?
As an early career leader within GSA, I hope to contribute to building a more cohesive, inclusive, and empowering community for early career geneticists. My primary goal is to leverage leadership as a means of service, creating spaces where trained and early-career scientists feel supported, heard, and equipped to navigate scientific and professional challenges. Through ECLP, my goal is to help strengthen community engagement, foster collaboration across career stages and fields, and contribute to initiatives that enhance connection and leadership development within the genetics community.
My leadership journey has been shaped by constant involvement at various stages of my academic career. From serving as head girl in high school to taking on leadership roles as a PhD student, I have continually sought opportunities to advocate for my peers and improve the environment in which we learn and work. Currently, as president of the Women in Science and Engineering (YSE) group at Duke University, I am actively involved in planning and conducting career-focused and professional development programs. This role has strengthened my ability to assess community needs, organize events, and engage diverse stakeholders to deliver programming that is both impactful and inclusive.
In parallel, my role as director of student organizations within graduate and professional student government at Duke has provided valuable experience in large-scale organizational leadership. In this position, I facilitate communication and collaboration between student group leaders and university administration, helping to translate student ideas into sustainable, student-centered programming. This experience has sharpened my skills in consensus building, strategic communication, and navigating institutional structures, skills that align directly with the collaborative nature of ECLP.
My leadership philosophy is based on what I call the “Four P’s”: Passion, Persistence, Purpose and People. I believe that effective leadership begins with passion and tenacity, which together provide the resilience needed to meet challenges. Purpose guides collective efforts, while people are at the heart of every successful initiative. Through my experiences, I have learned to recognize and address disparities within teams, integrate people with diverse strengths and backgrounds, and foster a culture where teamwork is prioritized over individual identity.
Within ECLP, I hope to work closely with my co-chair and committee to organize thoughtful, engaging events for ECLP representatives and help build meaningful connections with professionals in the wider scientific community. As a woman of color from the Global South doing research in genetics and genomics, I am particularly committed to advancing inclusion and representation in scientific leadership spaces. Through ECLP, I hope to contribute to a forward-thinking, supportive environment where early-career geneticists are empowered to develop, mentor, and succeed in an evolving scientific landscape.
