Sanjana Sundararajan
Accessibility Subcommittee
National Institutes of Health
Research interest
My research interests lie in uncovering the regulatory mechanisms that control cell division, with particular emphasis on mitosis. I have long been fascinated by the remarkable precision with which a cell orchestrates the equal segregation of its duplicated chromosomes into two daughter cells. This highly coordinated process depends on the interaction of multiple proteins, and even minor errors in chromosome segregation can lead to aneuploidy, a hallmark of many developmental disorders and cancers.
Currently, my postdoctoral research focuses on the unexpected but increasingly elucidated relationship between key mitotic regulators and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). NPCs are classically known as the primary gateways for nucleocytoplasmic transport in eukaryotic cells. Intriguingly, recent findings show that several mitotic proteins are localized to NPCs, while certain nucleoporins (Nups)—protein components of NPCs—are also found on mitotic chromosomes and spindle structures. This dual localization points to an unexplored functional overlap between nuclear transport and mitotic regulation. To investigate this, I use a combination of advanced molecular tools, including auxin inducible degron human cell lines, mouse models, and computational multimer prediction techniques.
Throughout my graduate and postdoctoral training, I have consistently focused on dissecting the molecular mechanisms that control cell cycle progression. The goal of my work is not only to illuminate fundamental principles of cell biology, but also to explore how disruptions in mitotic fidelity contribute to disease. In the future, I plan to expand my research to explore the functional consequences of spontaneous, uncontrolled, and aberrant cell division, particularly in the context of disease initiation and progression. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to the development of targeted strategies to prevent or reduce the pathological consequences of mitotic errors.
As a PhD-trained scientist, you have many career options. What interests you the most?
Working as a researcher is extremely satisfying for me. Each day brings a new challenge, and tackling these challenges at the bench is deeply fulfilling. I am driven by curiosity and a desire to understand complex biological systems through careful experimentation and critical thinking.
As I progress in my career, I aim to transition into more translational research on human health and disease. At the same time, I want to maintain a strong focus on my core scientific interests, continuing to understand how fundamental mechanisms contribute to broader biological outcomes.
Apart from research, I really enjoy teaching and mentoring. My experiences as a graduate teaching assistant and my ongoing opportunities to mentor students during both graduate school and my postdoctoral fellowship have fueled my passion for education. These roles have helped me grow as a communicator, listener, and leader—skills that I consider essential in any collaborative research environment. I value the opportunity to support the next generation of scientists and foster a positive, inclusive scientific community.
Ultimately, I am looking for a career that combines effective research with meaningful mentoring and collaboration.
Besides your research, how do you want to advance the scientific enterprise?
I am committed to advancing the scientific enterprise by helping to build a community that is supportive and collaborative. Throughout my scientific journey, I have had the opportunity to learn from wonderful mentors and educators who have shaped my growth—not just as a researcher, but as a person. I hope to make a similar impact on others by fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and encouraged to grow.
This vision of service and community building has guided me since childhood. As a high school volunteer with the Spastics Society, I helped differently-abled students with their education—an experience that taught me firsthand the importance of accessible learning and patient mentoring. Since then, I have continued to look for opportunities that will help me in this direction. As a member of my college’s entrepreneurship cell, graduate student organization, and Sigma Xi honor society at the University of Kansas, I gained valuable experience in outreach, leadership, and peer support. At NIH, I have interacted with the Women in Science Support Group, which has deepened my understanding of the structural barriers facing STEM.
In addition to research, I consider myself both an educator and a mentor. My goal is to break down barriers to learning and make science education more inclusive and accessible to people of all backgrounds. Taking regular courses in teaching and leadership has helped me stay current with best practices in pedagogy, especially in recognizing and adapting to diverse learning needs.
In short, I want to contribute not only through scientific discovery, but also through creating a culture that elevates and empowers others in science.
As a leader of the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to achieve?
My involvement with the Genetics Society of America has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my professional journey. I have particularly enjoyed organizing Access to STEM (AiS) workshops and being part of the team that launched the Genes Related to Genomes blog post. These experiences have shown me how powerful community-driven initiatives can be in creating a more informed, engaged, and thoughtful scientific network.
As a leader, I have learned to pivot and respond thoughtfully to difficult situations—a skill I now consider central to leadership. My style is a mix of collaborative, adaptive and focused. I strive to be a supportive, compassionate presence and someone others can depend on. Over time, I have become more confident in handling sensitive conversations and leading teams in uncertain situations, always with the goal of creating a positive and productive work environment.
Looking forward, one of my main goals is to help strengthen the sense of community within GSA by encouraging deeper connections between members. I would love to develop a 1:1 mentoring and accountability program that matches the different career stages of members, creating space for ongoing conversations, shared goals and mutual support. I believe that a structured, yet informal support network can have a lasting impact on how people experience GSA—not just as an organization, but as a trusted peer community.
Ultimately, I hope to continue to evolve as a leader while building spaces where people feel comfortable collaborating, collaborating, and growing together.
Previous leadership experience
My previous leadership experience includes mentoring graduate students, postbaccalaureate fellows, and undergraduate students and students through the Bioscience Future Global Scientists Development Program at the University of Kansas and the National Institutes of Health, Fukui University in Japan, being a member of the Graduate Student Organization at the University of Kansas, and participating in Central Science at the University of Kansas. India
