In what years did you study at the University of Maryland?
I attended the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland August 2003 – December 2008 (advisor: Prof. William Bentley). I completed my Ph.D. in December 2008.
Where did you go after graduating with your Ph.D.?
I did a postdoctoral fellowship in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at Johns Hopkins University (2009 – 2011). I started my independent faculty position at Children’s Research Institute at the Children’s National Health System, an academic affiliate of the George Washington University (GW; 2012 – 2017). When GW opened a new Cancer Center, I moved my research group to GW (2017 – present).
Does your current research field relate to what you studied in graduate school?
Not exactly, but I utilize several aspects of my graduate research in my current research (immunoengineering for cancer and infectious diseases).
How do you think your graduate experience prepared you for what you’re doing now?
My graduate experience was the foundation on which I have built my entire scientific career. The training I received in the scientific method – asking questions and working to find solutions to those questions – was invaluable. It instilled an approach to scientific investigation and endeavor that forms the basis of what I do day-to-day in my current role as faculty. It was very helpful to have a supportive mentor and colleagues/friends that greatly enhanced my overall graduate experience!
What do you know now that you wish you knew during graduate school?
Graduate school was indeed an excellent investment of my time and effort, and it represented a personal “golden age” for learning. While certainly not easy, the investment was worth it!
What do you know now that you wish you knew during your job search after graduate school?
Job searches can be quite challenging and finding your first job requires work! I cannot overemphasize being proactive about researching career opportunities after graduate school before you graduate (perhaps a year or two before your final dissertation defense). Talk to your mentors, your peers, people who have graduated before you in the program, etc. The goal is to aim for as many informational interviews you can have with people in very different roles (e.g. academia, industry, government, consulting, national labs, patent lawyers, etc.) before you decide what to do next. When you go on the interviews, besides asking what the qualifications and responsibilities for a position you may be interested in are, ask the people you interview things like: “What does your typical day look like?" "How much time do you spend in meetings vs. doing work assigned to you?" and so forth. You can collect invaluable information about the non-obvious aspects of a role you may be considering and clarify certain misconceptions you may have about what you may or may not like in a particular role or field … but start sooner than later!
What advice would you give to graduate students for making the most of their graduate school experience and for achieving success after graduate school?
Graduate school is really an investment in yourself and your career. Make the most of this time to discover yourself in addition to doing a deep dive on your dissertation topic. Graduate school can be frustrating at times when studies fail, projects change mid-course, and so forth. But, these situations can arise even in the professional world. Your graduate experience helps prepare you for these situations. If you develop an approach to tackling challenges, it will only help you and your career in the long run.
Are you still in contact with fellow classmates from your graduate school days?
Yes, I am in touch with several fellow classmates from my days at the University of Maryland. It is very enriching to be able to see the different personal and career trajectories of your peers, and frequently connect with them.
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Bombay (now Mumbai), India. I came to the U.S. in August 2001 for graduate school.
Outside of the lab and work, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy spending time with my four-year-old son and gaining “wisdom” from him and going on weekly happy hour “speed dates” with my wife. I enjoy spending time outdoors (hiking, biking) and dancing – although I am terrible at it.
With regards to bioengineering/biotechnology, what trends or potential breakthroughs on the horizon excite you most about the future of this field?
I am excited by developments in the fields of immunoengineering (using engineered materials to elicit responses from the immune system to combat human disease) and tissue engineering (developing novel biomaterials and 3D bioprinting for regenerative medicine). Regardless of the specific focus area, I am most excited by what bioengineers bring to the table for human health and in the field of biomedical sciences – applying a rigorous engineering and problem-solving approach to combat human disease.
Top