A research journey spanning three countries

Studying and working in a foreign country can be an enriching experience. No one understands this better than Rahul Kumar, who has studied in not one but three countries.

Kumar grew up in his native state of West Bengal, India. From a young age, he said, he was interested in understanding the whys behind disease pathologies. This inspired him to pursue a dual bachelor’s–master’s degree at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, known as IISER, in Kolkata. There, he majored in biological sciences with a chemistry minor.

Rahul Kumar

“I greatly appreciated how IISER helped me build foundational scientistic knowledge and critical thinking,” Kumar said, "particularly the vibrant lab environment of Dr. Jayasri Das Sarma, where I did my master's thesis."

While he enjoyed scientific learning, Kumar was unsure whether pursuing a Ph.D. would be the right career step. A three-month research internship at the University of Southern California proved to be the turning point. In Jennie Chen’s lab, he studied the biosynthesis and cell biology of the protein rhodopsin.

“Dr. Chen gave me the freedom to explore and think creatively,” he said. “I got to design experiments to answer different research questions. It was a life-changing experience.”

Kumar then joined Peter McPherson’s lab at McGill University in Quebec, Canada, as a Ph.D. student. His doctoral work focused on studying the DENN domain containing proteins. Many of the mutations in these proteins cause neurodevelopmental disorders.

"A part of my studies was carried out on induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patient samples," Kumar said. “This was particularly exciting, as such findings will have clinical relevance for disease treatment.”

Kumar has collaborated on other projects, one of which earned him a Journal of Biological Chemistry Tabor award. He is on track to defend his Ph.D. next fall and plans to pursue postdoctoral research.

“I have learned so much in my current lab,” he said. “As a result, I feel prepared to step out of my comfort zone and explore newer avenues in cell biology.”

Outside the lab, Kumar enjoys participating in teaching opportunities at high schools and hiking with his friends. He has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of living abroad and hopes his next research stint will give him a new location to explore.