About Me

I am an international scientist, author, and higher education administrator and educator. My non-linear career is grounded in curiosity and a penchant for solving complex problems, undeterred by constraints. Driven by  innovation and problem solving, I have worked in entrepreneurial environments and built new initiatives and centers. Born and raised in India, I began my career in healthcare as a clinical embryologist. Our small team of physicians and embryologists built a new IVF center in a hospital in Kolkata, India. That was my early exposure to entrepreneurship in healthcare.  

After moving to the U.S., I earned a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia followed by postdoc training in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. My PhD research on understanding CRISPR-Cas systems in 2008 was at time when hardly anything was known about the field. It was surreal to observe the field of CRISPR biology from nascent days to engineering groundbreaking gene editing tools.  Over 10 years, I have collaboratively uncovered roles of RNA-protein complexes in bacterial immunity (CRISPR-CAS), brain development (Hu/Elav family on alternative mRNA 3' end processing) and cancer-associated mutations (Dicer mutations and microRNA changes). 

After postdoc, I moved into higher education administration to improve graduate and postdoc training that prepares PhDs as leaders in a range of careers. Since 2018, I developed two innovative programs for graduate student and postdoc professional development. After successfully building PhD Plus program for all PhD students and postdocs at the University of Virginia, I current serve as Assistant Dean for Professional Development to build programs and partnerships through GradFUTURES program of the Graduate School of Princeton University . Nationally, I contribute to the field of graduate level- career and professional development through leadership and service in Graduate Career Consortium (GCC) and National Postdoc Association. My professional development articles have been featured in Inside Higher Ed and Science. 

After my experience navigating the U.S. immigration system, I dedicated mentor, I guide  early career scientists, especially those with international backgrounds, and co-founded the international community of practice within GCC to better support international scientists. My new book, “Thriving as an International Scientist” draws on my expertise as a career educator and mentor for this community. The first professional development guide tailored to the unique needs of international STEM PhDs, this book weaves together practices of professional development and career design, personal stories of international scientists, and concrete, culturally competent tools for managers, faculty advisors, and other mentors of international scientists. Through his book and my journey, I want to encourage international scientists to follow bold visions for the future that's not dulled by restrictions.