Going Viral for Science: Shraddha Chandthakuri’s Lab Life and #MedCanes Mission
“#MedCanes Chronicles” offers first-person perspectives into the lives of medical students on their journey to becoming health care leaders. The series delves into the personal narratives of these aspiring doctors and scientists, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs and the resilience that propels them forward.
Shraddha Chandthakuri, a Ph.D. student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is best known online by her username, a.scientist.from.nepal.
There, she offers glimpses of life in a research lab, filling beakers, analyzing cells dancing across a computer screen and pouring liquid nitrogen for experiments. Her signature wit and relatable humor have made her a favorite among the more than 50,000 science enthusiasts who follow her profile.
Now, as a #MedCanes Student Ambassador, Shraddha is partnering with the Miller School to amplify her impact and share her scientific journey with an even broader audience. In this Q&A, she opens up about how growing up in Nepal, a life-altering accident and an enduring passion for research shaped her path to becoming a scientist.
Where did your passion for science and research begin?
I grew up in Nepal, where societal expectations often dictate that girls become doctors and boys become engineers. Even though I had other interests, I always knew my parents wanted me to pursue science. I majored in biology in high school, initially aiming to become a medical doctor. But I realized I was squeamish around needles and blood, yet I still loved science.
What led you to study in the United States?
Nepal isn’t known for its science education, so I knew I had to study abroad to gain more experience. I came to the U.S. in 2016 for my undergraduate studies in biomedical science. At first, I wasn’t sure about research, but a car accident during my first semester changed everything.
Can you tell us more about that accident and how it influenced your path?
It happened in Florida, just four months after I arrived. Our car collided with an 18-wheeler on the way to Panama City Beach. I suffered an aortic transection, which usually requires open-heart surgery. But thanks to a minimally invasive procedure, placing a stent via a catheter through a small incision, I didn’t need major surgery. That experience showed me the power of innovation and research.
How did you get involved in research after that?
My undergrad university in Alabama wasn’t a major research institution, but I volunteered in two labs: one in bioinformatics and another in microbiology. I loved genetics and wanted more hands-on experience, so I took a research assistant job in New York, working in an osteosarcoma lab. That’s where I got to work with patient samples and advanced cancer biology techniques, which led me to pursue a Ph.D. at UM.
Why did you choose the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine?
I wanted a program that offered flexibility and lab rotations, which UM’s umbrella program, PIBS, provides. It allowed me to explore different labs before choosing one. The people here were incredibly welcoming, and they emphasized work-life balance, something I didn’t find at other schools.
What lab are you currently working in and what is your research focus?
I’m in Dr. Daniel Isom’s lab, which is part of the molecular and cellular pharmacology department and affiliated with cancer biology. We recently discovered a novel protein from the “superdark” family: proteins with unknown structure and function. These proteins are implicated in cancer biology. My project focuses on how acidic residues and pH-dependent activation influence this protein’s function, potentially revealing therapeutic targets.
What excites you most about your research?
It’s incredibly new. Only a handful of papers exist on this topic. We’re on the cusp of discovering something novel. I love the multidisciplinary nature of our work, combining bioinformatics, biochemistry, biophysics and imaging. It’s rare to find such diversity in one lab.
What inspires you to keep going, especially during challenging times?
I feel privileged. Only about 3% of people globally have Ph.D.s, and even fewer are women from Nepal. I don’t want to take that for granted. Surviving the accident and coming this far motivates me every day. I want to honor the hopes my parents placed in me and make a meaningful impact. Ultimately, I want to be an example to young girls, from any corner of the world, that you can achieve anything as long as you put your heart and soul into it.
Tags: Department of Medical Education, MedCanes Chronicles, medical education, medical students, molecular and cellular pharmacology