Research Interest

I owe much of my research journey to the mentors who shaped my interests along the way. My high school biology teacher, for instance, went beyond textbook teaching, encouraging me to explore biology through real-world observations and experiences in nature. This early exposure inspired me to pursue biology for my undergraduate degree. I stumbled into doing research somewhat by chance, introduced by a friend who was passionate about research, and quickly realized it was a path I deeply enjoyed and never wanted to leave. As my academic journey progressed, two professors were particularly influential in shaping my research direction. One introduced me to developmental biology and the powerful Drosophila model organism, while the other, through a compelling course in cancer biology, sparked my curiosity in unraveling the complexities of cancer. Their mentorship played a pivotal role in defining both my scientific interests and the model system I continue to work with today.

My motivation for pursuing biomedical research also stems from an early recognition that cancer treatment disparities, often worsened by the high cost of therapies, are deeply rooted in social inequality. This realization continues to shape my commitment to addressing healthcare disparities through science, particularly by investigating how social determinants impact health outcomes. My research interest lies at the intersection of developmental biology, metabolism, and disease, where I aim to uncover how fundamental cellular processes are regulated during growth and how their disruption leads to diseases. To this end, I use fruit flies to study conserved biological pathways that govern metabolism, growth signaling, and disease progression. 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 especially interested in using integrative approaches—combining genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry—to reveal 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 careers that combine academic research with innovation and development.

Research-oriented 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 experimentation 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, hopefully getting the next generation of scientists as excited about science and research as I am. The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of academic research also fuels my curiosity and creativity, allowing me to constantly learn and grow while contributing meaningfully to science and society. 

Doing science in an academic setting comes with its own struggles and challenges. But, when I ask myself, will there be less challenges in other career paths? The answer is often no! Every career path has some great things to offer and some dark sides. So does academia. For me, it still seems like a good fit.

In addition to your research, how do you want to advance the scientific enterprise? 

In addition to research, I would like 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 supportive environments where young scientists can excel. Supporting fearless future scientists with a scientific outlook, mindset, and kindness is the goal. 

I support the efforts to make scientific discoveries easily accessible to the public and policymakers. I believe that “science is for society!” If that element goes missing or is ineffectively done, the research and discoveries remain incomplete. I want to continue taking scientific discoveries to kids and the public to help build logical mindsets, break superstitions, dispel misinformation, and finally help improve our society. In my opinion, doing scientific research is important, but using that knowledge for societal growth and changing societal outlook are even more important. 

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’d be thrilled to be part of it. Whether as a side project or a creative passion, I’d love to bring science to the stage!

As a leader within 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, to help early career scientists navigate their career paths more effectively. In developing these resources, I also aim to broaden my own understanding of the diverse opportunities available within and beyond academia and the strategies required to pursue them successfully. I saw the GSA Early Career Leadership Program as an ideal platform to grow as a leader, refine these ideas, and contribute to meaningful improvements in career development efforts. The program’s structured, collaborative environment provides a unique opportunity to turn ideas into action while gaining valuable experience in leadership and community engagement.

There are often programs, support, full mentorship, and review committees for graduate students and new faculty, but the middle part of postdoctoral research lacks this structure and support. Depending on your university or institute, the salaries, timeline, responsibilities and expectations vary significantly for postdocs, making this a crucial time where responsibilities increase, compared to those just starting their journey and those who have secured faculty positions. I would like to provide resources, networking opportunities, and one-one connections for postdoctoral researchers to help support them through their journey.

For my personal and professional development, I hope to learn and maintain a strong network with GSA staff, peers, and Society leadership.

Previous leadership experience

I am always seeking opportunities to build leadership skills. As a result of that, I have gained multiple experiences throughout my academic journey. The following are some experiences that were challenging and, therefore, taught me key leadership skills.

As an undergraduate, I served as co-lead of the Biological Sciences Association, where I organized academic and outreach events for fellow students. One of our major technical events had a project-based competition that required teams to develop and execute a research proposal within two to three months. For the first time, I wasn’t the one carrying out the project myself. Instead, I was responsible for leading and mentoring a group of junior students. This shift from individual contributor to team leader was challenging, especially since I had no prior experience in mentorship. 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 each team member’s contribution. Under my leadership, the team not only completed the project on time but also secured third place in the competition, representing our association with pride.

As a 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 connected postdocs with leaders in academia, industry, and science communication. One of the biggest challenges I encountered was encouraging consistent participation from the postdoctoral community. Factors such as demanding schedules, the pressure to publish, and the ongoing struggle to balance research, mentorship, and personal life often limited 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 came to value the quality of connections made, and the long-term impact of creating spaces for dialogue and support, even when the results weren’t immediately visible.

I volunteered to organize the Science and Research Opportunities in India (Sci-ROI) Conference, held virtually in 2020, a year that brought unique global challenges. The conference aimed at connecting research scholars in the U.S. with an Indian diaspora of scholars in academic and non-academic settings, useful for people who want to transition back to India. It was my first experience organizing a fully virtual event. Beyond the logistical hurdles of the pandemic, one of the greatest 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, monitoring live chat discussions, and utilizing virtual networking platforms effectively. Most importantly, I learned how to collaborate efficiently with a team I had never met in person. The experience fundamentally reshaped my understanding of virtual engagement and remote teamwork.

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