June 1, 2020

Pharmacology Postdoc Spotlight

Ramkumar Mohan, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Anantharam Lab
Hometown: Sirkali, Tamil Nadu, India 
Undergraduate: Industrial Biotechnology

 

Ramkumar Mohan, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Anantharam Lab
Hometown: Sirkali, Tamil Nadu, India 
Undergraduate: Industrial Biotechnology

Tell me a little bit about yourself, a paragraph or so.

I was born and brought up in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. I came to the United States in 2011 to pursue my doctoral degree and have been in the Midwest region since then. I consider Michigan as my home away from home. My research is focused on Diabetes and I am an islet biologist by training. For someone who had not seen snow before coming to the US, yes - I am saying it right, I love winters (Yooper style). Skiing is my favorite outdoor activity apart from playing Cricket, Badminton and Volleyball. Dogs melt my heart ❤.
 
How would you describe your discipline if you were at a party?
I am just going to assume that it is an academic party (if there is one like that :-P). Diabetes affects over 400 million people around the world and my research involves animal models (mainly rodents) 
in order to better understand how it is caused with the hope to improve current treatment options.
 
What do you wish your colleagues/friends/family knew about your work?
"My work is worth the wait". Basic science research is an essential part of medical science and it takes years, sometimes decades for a research work before it gets successfully translated to have an impact in health care.
 
Have you learned/discovered anything during your research that’s surprised you? If so, what?
I used to be this person who believed "long lab-hours" is the way to succeed. Though it is very important and many of the researchers spontaneously do it out of their passion towards scientific discoveries, one important thing I learnt is that having a work life balance can certainly have a positive impact on your productivity. I thank my mentors for inheriting this great value in me.
 
What do you consider your biggest challenge?
Being the happy person I am, it is too easy for me to get comfortable with anything. So, I constantly challenge to push myself out of my comfort-zone while keeping my passion for learning alive.
 
What drives you?
My urge to make a difference with my positive attitude.
 
What are you most proud of?
Self-thriving quality and sense of gratitude for the support I get from my family.
 
Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself.
In my alternate reality, I believe that I am a pro-athlete.