Early Career Leadership Spotlight

Anvita Kulshrestha 
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 outcomes 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 vastly different disease trajectories, ranging from  relatively mild symptoms to life-threatening complications. This disconnect between a simple genetic cause and complex clinical manifestations is what initially drew me to the field and continues to motivate my work. 

My research focuses on identifying the 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. I am particularly excited by the potential to move beyond single-variant associations toward integrative multiomic analyses. These efforts not only deepen our understanding of disease biology but also highlight novel therapeutic targets that may be missed by traditional approaches. 

I work primarily with human data, including genomic, phenotypic, and clinical datasets, which allows my research to remain closely connected to patient outcomes. This direct relevance to human health is deeply meaningful to me. Growing up in India, where hemoglobinopathies are highly prevalent, I was exposed early on to the real-world impact of these diseases and the gaps in diagnosis and treatment. That perspective continues to shape my commitment to conducting research that is both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant. 

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 insight from complex, noisy datasets and designing analyses that can scale across cohorts 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 conducting 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 a critical 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 the ECLP?  

As a PhD student, I am at a formative stage where I am actively shaping both my scientific  identity and my long-term career goals. During my time in GSA’s Early Career Leadership Program (ECLP), I am most excited to explore a range of career paths that leverage rigorous scientific training while extending impact 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, mentorship, and societal engagement. 

While academia remains an exciting possibility, especially given my interest in mentoring  trainees and pursuing discovery-driven research, I am equally drawn to industry and  translational science, where interdisciplinary teams can rapidly move genetic discoveries  toward 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 insight plays a critical role in shaping innovation pipelines. 

What excites me most about the ECLP is its emphasis on exposure, mentorship, and community. The webinars and seminars organized by different subcommittees offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from scientists who have navigated diverse career trajectories. Learning about their experiences, the skills they prioritized, the trade-offs they faced, and the leadership challenges they encountered, will help me contextualize my own goals and values. These perspectives are often difficult to access through traditional graduate training, yet they are essential for making informed, intentional career decisions. 

In addition, I am particularly interested in guidance from the ECLP advisors on how to  develop transferable leadership skills during graduate training. Skills such as effective  communication, team leadership, and inclusive mentorship are critical across all career  paths, and I hope to use the ECLP as a space to reflect on how these skills can be cultivated  early.  

My goal during the ECLP is not simply to choose a career path, but to better understand how I can contribute meaningfully as a leader in genetics, regardless of the sector I enter. By engaging deeply with the program’s resources and community, I hope to emerge with greater clarity, confidence, and a broader vision for 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 the sense of community, connectivity, and inclusivity within the field of  genetics. I believe that scientific progress depends not only on technical innovation, but also on the structures that support scientists, particularly early-career researchers, as they  navigate training, collaboration, and professional identity. Through my involvement in the ECLP and my participation in the Community and Membership Engagement (CME) Subcommittee, I hope to contribute to building a more connected and supportive genetics community. 

Within the CME Subcommittee, I am especially interested in initiatives that foster meaningful interactions among geneticists across career stages, disciplines, and sectors. 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 peers in similar training paths, limiting exposure to the full range of ways genetics contributes to society. I would like to help organize community-building events, such as informal networking sessions, peer-support  groups, or mentorship 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 sustained engagement within GSA, particularly for trainees and early-career members. Team-building activities, peer mentorship 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 for reducing isolation, encouraging participation, and empowering members to remain actively involved in the Society over time. 

A specific contribution I hope to make is helping to curate or establish a centralized repository 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 attuned to the challenges faced by 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 within the field. 

By working with peers and established leaders through GSA, I aim to help cultivate a vibrant, inclusive network where scientists feel supported, informed, and empowered to contribute. This commitment to community engagement and inclusivity 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 own research. 

As an early career leader within the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to accomplish? What previous leadership experience, if any, do you have? 

As an early career leader within the GSA, I hope to contribute to building a more connected, inclusive, and empowering community for early-career geneticists. My primary goal is to leverage leadership as a means of service, creating spaces where trainees and early-career scientists feel supported, heard, and equipped to navigate both scientific and professional challenges. Through ECLP, I aim to help strengthen community engagement, foster collaboration across career stages and sectors, and contribute to initiatives that enhance belonging and leadership development within the genetics community. 

My leadership journey has been shaped by sustained involvement across multiple stages of my academic career. From serving as Head Girl in high school to holding leadership roles as a PhD student, I have consistently sought opportunities to advocate for my peers and improve the environments in which we learn and work. Currently, as President of the Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE) group at Duke University, I am actively involved in planning and organizing career-focused and professional development events. 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 the Graduate and Professional  Student Government at Duke has provided valuable experience in organizational leadership at a larger scale. In this position, I facilitate communication and collaboration between student group leaders and university administration, helping translate student ideas into sustainable, student-driven programming. This experience has sharpened my skills in consensus-building, strategic communication, and navigating institutional structures, skills that directly align with the collaborative nature of ECLP. 

My leadership philosophy is grounded in what I call the “four P’s”: passion, perseverance,  purpose, and people. I believe that effective leadership begins with passion and perseverance, which together provide the resilience needed to address challenges. Purpose gives direction to collective efforts, while people remain at the heart of every successful initiative. Through my experiences, I have learned to recognize and address disparities within teams, integrate individuals with diverse strengths and backgrounds, and foster a culture where teamwork is prioritized over individual recognition. 

Within the ECLP, I hope to work closely with my co-chair and committee to organize thoughtful, engaging events for ECLP representatives and to help build meaningful connections with professionals across the broader scientific community. As a woman of color from the Global South pursuing research in genetics and genomics, I am particularly committed to advancing inclusivity and representation within scientific leadership spaces. Through the ECLP, I hope to contribute to a forward-thinking, supportive environment where early career geneticists are empowered to grow, lead, and succeed in an evolving scientific landscape.