Physiologically relevant model systems, can help us better understand cancer biology, investigate disease mechanisms, and evaluate how different tumors respond to therapeutic interventions.
Sushmitha Sankarasubramanian, our next pathbreaker, develops three dimensional (3D) patient-derived organoid models from different cancer types that closely mimic how cancers behave inside the human body.
Sushmitha talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her doctoral research through the PRECODE Consortium (PancREatic Cancer OrganoiDs rEsearch), a European Union-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on advancing pancreatic cancer research.
For students, never take your early years lightly. The effort you invest in yourself today: whether in your studies, skills, or character, will become the foundation of the life you build tomorrow.
Sushmitha, Your background?
I grew up in a small town called Karur in Tamil Nadu. I was born into a simple average family. My father is a businessman, and my mother is a homemaker.
For some people, childhood is all about fairy tales, bedtime stories, and picture-perfect memories. My childhood was a little different. It was filled with its share of challenges, family problems, disagreements, and chaos. Yet, through every storm, my parents never stopped believing in the importance of education and never gave up on the upbringing of my brother and me.
One of the greatest influences in my life has been my elder brother. He is more intelligent, creative and confident than me. In many ways, he was the compass that guided my early career choices, and I often found myself following the path he paved.
Friendship has always been a special part of my school life. I was fortunate to have friends who stayed by my side through the years and eventually became lifelong companions. While many children spent their time on sports fields, I discovered joy in studded toys, crafts, origami and mostly playing in-door games with friends. I loved making handmade crafts, especially gifts for my loved ones on their special occasions. And that stayed with me all along. I still believe that the most meaningful gifts are the ones created with time, effort, and love. Some of the warmest memories of my childhood are the days spent with my brother and our neighbour kid, Abdul Waahidh, who is more like a younger brother to me. The time spent with them playing, laughing, fighting and teasing one another are my favourite part of the childhood. Years have passed, but those moments remain as one of the fondest memories of my life.
Among all the subjects I studied in school, Zoology fascinated me the most. I dreamed of becoming a doctor and dedicated many of my aspirations to that goal. However, dreams do not become reality through passion alone. Looking back, I realize that I did not take my studies as seriously as I should have during that phase of my life. Due to my own lack of focus and maturity at that age, I was unable to secure a medical seat.
That disappointment became one of the first major turning points in my life. When one door closed, I was unsure which door to open next. I briefly joined Architecture, but during that time I experienced the loss of my best friend, a loss that deeply affected me and changed the course of my life. I eventually discontinued the course and enrolled in Biotechnology at Vivekanandha College of Engineering, Namakkal.
What did you do for graduation?
I did my B.Tech in Biotechnology at India, Masters in Molecular Biology from Umeå University at Sweden after which I did a PhD in Human Biology from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg at Germany
Bachelor´s in Biotechnology was not my choice. It was simply the opportunity available to me at that moment. But life has a remarkable way of leading us to places we never planned to go. Sometimes, our greatest opportunities are hidden behind our biggest disappointments.
My journey taught me an important lesson: success is not always about following the path you imagined; sometimes it is about making the most of the path that finds you.
When I joined Biotechnology at Vivekanandha College of Engineering, I carried only one thought in my mind: even though this was not the path I had dreamed of, I could not afford to let down the people who still believed in me.
My family had invested not only their money but also their hopes in my future. My father’s business went through many ups and downs, and finances were often uncertain. My mother, despite facing her own challenges after a serious accident and living with its consequences, never stopped putting her children first. To support my education, my brother moved to Dubai, even though his heart never wanted to leave India. Knowing the sacrifices my family was making became my greatest source of motivation.
That single thought pushed me to work harder than ever before. By the end of my undergraduate studies, I was honoured with the “Best Outstanding Student” award. What began as a course I never chose , eventually became a journey that transformed my life.
What were some of the key influences that led you to a career in cancer research?
Among all the subjects I studied during Biotechnology, Cancer Biology fascinated me the most. The more I learned about it, the more curious I became. It was one subject that never bored me.
I have always believed in one simple principle: whatever you choose to do, give it your 100%
I wasn’t chasing opportunities; I was simply focused on giving my best in every course, project, and assignment. Looking back, that mindset opened doors I never expected. It made me earn the opportunity to complete my thesis at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in the Department of Molecular Biology.
That experience became one of the most important turning points in my scientific journey.
My time at IISc was my first real exposure to scientific research. For the first time, I experienced what it meant to work in a world-class research laboratory. I still remember being taught how to handle laboratory mice. I was nervous, uncomfortable, and honestly terrified. That experience helped me discover something important about myself. I realized that in-vivo research was not for me. Hence, I was drawn toward in-vitro research and cellular biology.
During my time there, I had the privilege of working under the guidance of Dr. Mohsan Sarikhani, a PhD researcher who became one of my earliest scientific role models. What inspired me most was not just his knowledge, but his passion. He approached science with genuine excitement and curiosity. To him, research was not merely a profession, it was something he truly loved. Working alongside him, conducting experiments, and uncovering the fascinating complexities of biology showed me what it meant to be a scientist.
After completing my undergraduate studies, my brother encouraged me to pursue higher education abroad. He helped me through every step of the application process, and I was fortunate to secure admission to Umeå University in Sweden for a master’s degree in molecular biology based on my academic performance alone, with a CGPA above 9, without having to take exams such as the GRE or IELTS. This was another major turning point in my life.
Did you face challenges when you moved to Sweden? How did you address them?
I was a person deeply attached to my family. I would become homesick very easily. Even during my school years in India, when I stayed in hostels in nearby cities, I often struggled with being away from home. Moving alone to Sweden, a country thousand of kilometre’s away with winters reaching temperatures below -30°C, felt like stepping into an entirely different world.
I still remember crying throughout much of my 14-hour journey to Sweden. After landing, I called my family and begged them to book a return ticket. Many relatives even told my family that sending me to Sweden was a waste of money because I would never be able to survive there.
When I called my brother again from Sweden, overwhelmed and in tears, he simply said, “If you feel you cannot stay, come back. I wanted you to experience the opportunity, not suffer.” “Battles are won in the heart, not in the field” His words stayed with me.
Once again, I thought about the sacrifices my parents and brother had made for me. The financial aid for this dream was given not from an overflow from my dad, but often amidst his own profound struggles and challenges. Yet, he bore that pressure so I wouldn’t have to. My mother, although the thought of me moving thousands of kilometres away from home worried her deeply, never stood in the way of my dreams. I knew I owed it to them and to myself to give it my best effort before giving up. Slowly, I adapted to a new culture, a new education system, and a completely different life.
I must also express my heartfelt gratitude to my cousin brother, Vijay Anna, who offered his hands to support my master´s education during a time when my family’s finances were strained. His generosity eased a significant burden on my family. Without his support, completing my master’s degree abroad might have remained only a dream. His kindness and timely help is something I will always remember and be grateful for.
Living abroad taught me lessons far beyond academics. For the first time, I had to manage everything on my own. I had to learn everything by myself like opening a bank account, finding a place to live, cooking every meal, managing finances, and handling every problem without having any help. I remember seeing the Northern Lights, something that appears on many people’s bucket lists. Yet instead of feeling joy, I felt a strange emptiness because I didn’t have my loved ones there to share that moment with.
The journey was not easy. I went from being someone who felt nervous even traveling alone to the next street, to moving across continents and building a life from scratch in Sweden. Along the way, I faced setbacks, trusted the wrong people, got scammed, lost money, and experienced the challenges that often come with living alone in a new country. There were days when I questioned why I had come. Days when I missed home so much that even a simple phone call could bring me to tears. While everyone saw the exciting photographs and the opportunities abroad, very few saw the struggles behind them: the loneliness, the self-doubt, and the silent battles that came with starting over in a foreign country.
I am especially grateful for the friends I met in Sweden. They became much more than friends. During some of my hardest moments, they were the people who listened, supported me, and reminded me that I was not alone. I will always be thankful for the role they played in my journey.
The academic transition was also challenging. The coursework was rigorous, and at times I doubted whether I could keep up. But perseverance became my greatest strength. By the end of my master’s program, I had passed every course with distinction, secured two research stipends which helped me to fund myself a bit during my master´s, and successfully completed two independent research projects.
My fascination with Cancer Biology grew even stronger during my master´s. I actively searched for laboratories working in cancer research and eventually joined the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Öhlund, whose team focuses on pancreatic cancer research using human cancer patient-derived organoids. During my time there, I completed two independent research projects supported by research stipends from the Cancerforskningsfonden i Norrland, which helped me in supporting myself financially during my studies. I worked closely with Dr. James Mason, who was a postdoctoral researcher at the time and played a pivotal role in teaching me the fundamentals of organoid research and experimental science. He was not only an exceptional scientist but also an outstanding mentor who helped nurture my curiosity, scientific thinking, and confidence as a young researcher. Those experiences further strengthened my passion for cancer research.
At IISc, most of my work involved bacteria and animal models. Yet I often found myself wondering what it would be like to work directly with human samples. I dreamed of conducting research that could bring us closer to understanding diseases affecting real patients. At that time, I had no idea that this dream was about to become a reality.
Working with human patient-derived organoids was one of the most fascinating experiences of my scientific journey.
Can you explain what are Organoids and what are the advantages?
Patient-derived organoids are like “mini tumours grown in a dish in a 3D environment.” Scientists take a small sample of a cancer patient’s tumour and grow it in the laboratory in a 3D environment, under conditions that closely resemble the human body. These mini tumours behave much like the real tumour, allowing us to study cancer from different patients. By understanding how these organoids respond to different medicines, we can develop better and more personalized treatments for cancer patients in the future. It was the first time I felt I was working with a model system that had a direct connection to real patients and their lives.
During this time, I also discovered something important about myself: I genuinely love learning new technologies. Whenever someone in the laboratory was working on a technique I did not know, I would walk over, observe, ask questions, and sometimes even spend hours learning about it. I was fascinated by the idea that every new technology could unlock answers to questions that were previously impossible to solve.
This experience taught me that when science and technology work together, they have the power to transform healthcare. Technologies such as 3D cell cultures, advanced imaging, and modern molecular tools are much more than laboratory techniques. They help scientists understand diseases better, develop new treatments faster, and ultimately improve the lives of patients. In many ways, they act as a bridge between discoveries made in the laboratory and real benefits delivered to people in hospitals.
How did you get your first break?
As much as I enjoyed research, I gradually realized that a traditional academic career was not the path I wanted to follow. I have immense respect for scientists who dedicate years, and sometimes even decades, to uncovering the mysteries of biology and advancing our understanding of life at its most fundamental level. However, I found myself increasingly drawn to a different question:
How can we turn scientific discoveries into something that helps real patients sooner?
I wanted to work closer to clinical and translational research, where discoveries made in the laboratory could be transformed into therapies, diagnostics, and solutions that directly impact patients’ lives.
At the same time, I learned something important about myself. I love doing science, but I also value having a balanced and fulfilling life outside of work. I knew that I wanted a career where I could continue learning, contribute to meaningful innovations, be recognized for my work, and build financial stability, while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
For me, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry seemed to offer the best of both worlds, the opportunity to do exciting science while seeing its impact more quickly and building a sustainable long-term career.
With that vision in mind, I began searching for an industrial master’s thesis opportunity. Almost everyone around me told me it would be nearly impossible to secure one, especially at a leading pharmaceutical company. But throughout my life, I have always believed in trying, even when the chances seem incredibly small.
My philosophy has always been simple:
If there is even one chance in a billion, I would rather try and fail than wonder forever what might have happened if I had tried.
So, I created my CV and reached out to professors and scientists at AstraZeneca in Sweden. One email became ten. Ten became fifty. I kept going.
Eventually, I secured a master’s thesis position in AstraZeneca’s Respiratory Research Department under the supervision of Dr. Henric Ohlsson. There, I worked on projects investigating the disease biology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Beyond the scientific experience, this was my first exposure to research in a global pharmaceutical company. Dr. Henric Ohlsson played a significant role in helping me understand how science is conducted in an industrial setting, where scientific innovation, teamwork, and patient impact go hand in hand. Through this experience, I gained my first insights into corporate culture, professional values, cross-functional collaboration, and the process of translating scientific discoveries into therapies that can benefit patients. The experience further strengthened my desire to pursue a career in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
After completing my thesis, I was offered the opportunity to continue working as a full time Research Scientist in AstraZeneca’s Pharmacology Department. There, I worked with mass spectrometry based approaches aimed at improving the solubility and permeability of therapeutic compounds.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?
At that stage of my life, a PhD was not even part of my plan. My dream was to build a career in the pharmaceutical industry and continue growing in that environment. However, life once again had different plans for me. Due to a mistake on my part, I was unable to renew my visa and residence permits on time, which forced me to return to India. At the time, it felt like a major setback. I was disappointed in myself and frustrated that a simple oversight could change the course of my plans.
Coming back home was emotionally complex.
Part of me felt relieved because the loneliness of living abroad had been difficult. Yet another part of me struggled with leaving behind the life I had built in Sweden: the snowy winters I had learned to love, the friendships I had formed, and the feeling that I had not yet fully achieved what I had hoped for after investing so much into my education.
But by then, I had learned an important lesson:
Life does not always reward us with the outcome we want, but it always rewards us with experience that prepares us for the next opportunity.
After returning to India, I once again focused on moving forward. I joined Enveda Biosciences, a US-based pharmaceutical company, as an Associate Scientist. The company was focused on developing novel cancer therapeutics inspired by bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants. Although I spent only a short time there, the experiences gained there are still a valuable part of my journey. I had the privilege of meeting and working under Dr. Viswa Colluru, a scientist and leader whom I still deeply admire, not only for his scientific expertise but also for the values he lived by: humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
One lesson from Dr. Viswa Colluru has stayed with me throughout my journey:
“People may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
That quote by him changed the way I view success. Achievements may be remembered for a while, but who you are as a person will leave a lasting impact on others.
How did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path ?
While working as a scientist in India I began to understand the realities of the global research landscape. For someone with a master’s degree hoping to build an international scientific career, obtaining opportunities abroad could be challenging. Companies often preferred candidates who were already local and had advanced research training in the same country. At the same time, I was carrying the responsibility of educational loans from my studies abroad.
Slowly, I began considering a path I had never imagined for myself, a PhD.
Another factor that influenced my decision was my time at AstraZeneca. There, I noticed that many of the scientists in senior scientific and leadership positions held PhD degrees. It made me realize that if I wanted to grow further in research and take on greater scientific responsibility, a PhD could open doors that might otherwise remain closed.
Ironically, the very degree I had once ruled out became the door that opened my next opportunity.
So, I started applying for PhD positions. To my surprise, despite all the self-doubt I carried, I was selected for one of the most prestigious doctoral programs available: a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship.
It´s a highly competitive fellowship and one of the best-funded PhD programs in Europe. The fellowship offers a higher salary than many standard PhD positions, which helps researchers to focus on their research, training, and international collaborations without as much financial pressure. I obtained my PhD position through the PRECODE Consortium (PancREatic Cancer OrganoiDs rEsearch), a European Union-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on advancing pancreatic cancer research.
The consortium brought together 15 leading institutions across seven European countries, including top universities, research institutes, hospitals, and biotechnology companies working at the forefront of pancreatic cancer research. Only 13 PhD positions were available across the entire network, and candidates from all over the world competed for these positions.
What made the selection process particularly rigorous was the mobility rule of the fellowship. Applicants could not simply remain in the same country where they had recently studied or worked. The goal was to promote international collaboration and ensure that researchers gained experience in new environments. As a result, each institution had to conduct a thorough international recruitment process and select the strongest candidates.
My previous experience in pancreatic cancer research and patient-derived organoids during my master’s thesis gave me a strong foundation. I also received an excellent recommendation from my Master’s supervisor, Dr. Daniel Öhlund, who was himself a member of the PRECODE consortium. However, because of the consortium’s mobility requirements, I could not continue my PhD in his laboratory. Instead, I applied for positions in other PRECODE partner institutions, including opportunities in Spain and Germany.
I received offers from both locations. Since my long-term goal was always to build a career in the pharmaceutical industry, I chose the position in Germany because it offered an Industrial PhD. Unlike a traditional PhD, where research is conducted primarily within a university, my research was carried out full-time at CellPhenomics, a biotechnology company that was later acquired by GSK. However, companies cannot award doctoral degrees. Therefore, I was simultaneously enrolled as a PhD candidate at Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen Nürnberg in Germany, solely to submit my thesis and to obtain the degree.
I began to wonder whether life had been guiding me toward something larger than I had imagined.
Perhaps the universe was telling me not to limit myself. Yet accepting the PhD position was one of the most frightening decisions I had ever made.
For years, I had believed that a PhD was only for exceptionally brilliant people. I worried whether I was intelligent enough, whether I could think critically enough, or whether I had the perseverance required to complete such a demanding journey.
And if pursuing a PhD was intimidating, pursuing one through a highly competitive international fellowship felt even more overwhelming.
But every major chapter of my life had begun the same way, with uncertainty, fear, and a leap of faith.
So once again, with a heart full of questions, eyes filled with tears, and a suitcase packed with dreams and doubts, I boarded a flight to Germany. I did not know what challenges awaited me.
I only knew one thing: Every time life had pushed me out of my comfort zone, it had helped me discover a stronger version of myself.
Was this PhD research the same as your early wet lab research based on Organoids? Since you worked on Pancreatic cancer in your Master’s, how was the PHD different?
My PhD was closely connected to my master’s research because both focused on pancreatic cancer and patient-derived organoids. However, the scientific questions, clinical relevance, and potential impact were very different.
During my master’s projects, I worked on understanding fundamental aspects of pancreatic cancer biology utilizing organoid models, particularly exploring ways to improve early detection of the disease. This is especially important because pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at a very late stage, when treatment options are limited and patient outcomes are poor.
My PhD, on the other hand, had a much stronger clinical and translational focus. The objective was to develop a standardised patient-derived organoid assay that enables the generation of miniature tumor models from an individual patient’s cancer tissue. These models could then be used for functional drug screening, allowing us to evaluate multiple therapeutic options and identify the treatment most likely to be effective for that specific patient.
The broader vision of this work was to support the implementation of personalized medicine, where treatment decisions are guided not only by the clinical guidelines but also by its actual response to therapies in a patient-specific model system.
In simple terms, my research aimed to answer a very important question:
“How can we find the right treatment for the right patient at the right time?”
For me, it would be a dream come true if one day patient-derived organoid technology becomes a routine part of cancer care in hospitals worldwide. If we can use these models to select the most effective therapy for each patient, we could improve quality of life, avoid unnecessary treatments, and ultimately increase the survival of cancer patients.
Tell us about your PhD journey
When I accepted the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and moved to Germany, I did not realize that this journey would challenge me far beyond science and research.
A PhD is often described as a degree, but for me it was a test of everything I was.
It demanded everything from me, not just long working hours and late nights in the laboratory, but also tolerance, resilience, patience, and the courage to keep going when I doubted myself. There were days filled with excitement and discovery, but there were also days filled with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, uncertainty, and the constant pressure of proving myself.
This phase made me understand that growth is not always comfortable. Sometimes growth feels like failure. Sometimes it feels like fear. Sometimes it feels like taking one step forward after taking two steps back.
The challenges were not limited to academics alone.
While navigating the demands of my PhD, I was also carrying personal responsibilities and family difficulties back home in India. Many of those experiences were deeply personal and difficult to talk about, but they taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: strength is not about having no struggles; it is about continuing despite them.
At the same time, my PhD years brought experiences that shaped me in unexpected ways. It was during this period that I experienced some of the happiest moments of my life. I formed meaningful relationships learned to open my heart, embraced vulnerability, and discovered parts of myself I had never known before. It was also a period that taught me some of life’s deepest lessons about attachment, loss, and resilience. Not every meaningful chapter is meant to last, but some leave behind lessons that stay with us forever.
Looking back, I can honestly say that no other period of my life has brought me so much joy and so much pain at the same time. I have never laughed as much as I did during my PhD. And I have never cried as much either.
The journey gave me memories that I will cherish forever and lessons that I will carry for the rest of my life.
But through every challenge, one thought remained constant. I wanted to finish my PhD, no matter what. Not only for myself, but for every person who had believed in me when I could not believe in myself. And even for those who are no longer part of my life, but whose support, love, encouragement, and sacrifices helped shape the person I became.
There were many moments when giving up would have been easier.
But every time I felt like quitting, I reminded myself that this journey is not just about me. The degree may have my name on it, but the journey belongs to everyone who helped me reach the finish line.
While the path was mine to walk, it was never mine to walk alone.
I am deeply grateful to all my teachers from school to college/university who nurtured my curiosity, encouraged me during difficult times, and helped shape my future. It would be difficult to name everyone who guided, supported, and believed in me along the way, but each of them played a role in helping me become the person I am today. I am also thankful to my relatives and family members, who never stopped encouraging me and were always proud of my achievements, both big and small
I am especially thankful to mentors like Dr. Daniel Öhlund during my Master’s and Dr. Christian Regenbrecht & Dr. Lena Wedeken during my PhD.
Without their guidance, I would not be where I am today. The lessons they gave me are among the most valuable things I carry forward scientifically and personally, and I hope to pass them on to others throughout my own journey. Dr. Lena Wedeken who was my PhD supervisor, has been an inspiring exemplar of women’s leadership, demonstrating how to be successful, ethical, and compassionate at the same time. She shaped my scientific character I will always be grateful for the lessons and values I learned from her.
Where do you work now?
After completing my PhD, I worked briefly as an Associate Scientist at GSK following the acquisition of the company where I was pursuing my industrial PhD. Soon after, I secured a Scientist position at Indivumed in Hamburg, Germany. It was a highly competitive process involving five rounds of interviews against candidates including researchers with postdoctoral experience.
Looking back, it was a proud moment for me not because I was the smartest candidate among the ones competing, but because I achieved it during one of the darkest periods I had ever faced. At that time, my physical health, mental health, and personal life were all being tested in ways that are difficult to put into words. There were days when simply getting out of bed felt like climbing a mountain. There were moments when I questioned myself, my future, and whether I had the strength to keep going. Sometimes, the strongest version of yourself is born during the hardest chapter of your life.
I am grateful to my family, especially my brother and sister-in-law, who were my pillars of strength during some of the most difficult moments of my life. My sister in-law, who is a sister not by blood but by heart, was my emotional anchor through it all. She constantly encouraged me to push beyond my fears and limitations, even when I did not want to do it for myself. She is someone I deeply admire, respect and learn from.
What problems do you solve?
My current work focuses on developing three dimensional (3D) patient-derived organoid models from different cancer types. These miniature tumor models are generated from patient tumor samples and closely mimic how cancers behave inside the human body.
By using these physiologically relevant model systems, we can better understand cancer biology, investigate disease mechanisms, and evaluate how different tumors respond to therapeutic interventions. Ultimately, these models serve as a powerful platform for the discovery and development of new cancer therapeutics.
What skills are needed for this job? How did you acquire them?
Many people believe that scientists are born exceptionally intelligent or naturally gifted. My experience has taught me something different.
The most important skill is not intelligence or creativity, it’s curiosity. A good scientist is someone who never stops asking questions and never stops learning.
Of course, skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity are important. But none of these are qualities that you must be born with. They can all be learned and improved with practice.
I acquired these skills step by step: through my studies, research projects, failures, mistakes, and by constantly challenging myself to learn something new. Every stage of my journey, from a small town in Tamil Nadu to research laboratories in Europe, taught me valuable lessons.
What’s a typical day like?
One of the things I love most about my job is that no two days are exactly the same.
A typical day may involve designing scientific experiments, working in the laboratory, analyzing data, discussing results with colleagues, solving unexpected problems, and presenting findings to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Some days I am wearing a lab coat and conducting experiments. Other days I am sitting with teams from different scientific backgrounds, discussing ideas and planning future research.
Every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn.
What is it you love about this job?
What I love most is that learning never stops. Science constantly evolves, and so do the people who work in it. Every new experiment teaches me something I did not know the day before. Every challenge pushes me to think differently and grow.
I believe that this is how life should be: not only in our careers but also as individuals. We should never stop learning, improving, and becoming better versions of ourselves. That is why I love being a scientist.
How does your work benefit society?
In simple terms, my job is to help answer one important question:
“How can we find the right treatment for the right patient at the right time?”
Every day, I work with a team of scientists to better understand cancer and discover more effective therapies. Each experiment may seem small, but every result adds another piece to a much larger puzzle.
Since you have a very wide range of work, any specific memorable project?
Rather than one memorable project, I would say that my scientific journey has been filled with many memorable moments.
Some of my most exciting moments came when I saw science come alive right in front of my eyes. I still remember the feeling of amazement when lung organoids developed tiny moving cilia, when colon organoids formed crypt-like structures, and when pancreatic organoids organized themselves into duct-like networks. In those moments, I truly understood how remarkable science is and how far human knowledge can advance when curiosity meets hard work.
A scientist may spend weeks, months, or sometimes even years designing experiments, solving problems, and testing ideas. Most experiments do not work the way we expect; many fail completely, forcing us to go back, rethink our assumptions, and develop new hypotheses.
That is the reality of science. Which is why the rare moments when an experiment finally works and the results match what you predicted feel almost magical. Those moments bring an excitement that is difficult to describe. They remind you that every failure, every late night, and every challenge was worth it.
It´s like solving a puzzle that nature had hidden for us, and for a brief moment, discovering a small piece of the answer.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
Never take your early years lightly. The effort you invest in yourself today: whether in your studies, skills, or character, will become the foundation of the life you build tomorrow. One day, your future self will thank you for every hour you spent learning instead of giving up.
Always give your best in whatever you do. You may not always get the result you want, but you will never regret giving your 100%.
At the same time, do not get so busy chasing achievements that you forget to enjoy your childhood. Learn, dream, work hard, but also laugh, play, create memories, and build meaningful friendships. Years later, your grades may fade from memory, but the people with whom you shared laughter, experiences, and memories will remain among your greatest treasures.
And when life closes a door, do not lose hope. Sometimes it is not closing a door to punish you, it is guiding you toward a door you never knew existed.
Most importantly, let gratitude become your fuel when motivation runs out.