About the department:

Department of Biological Sciences is one of the largest departments within Kent State University. Faculty within the department have diverse research interest include aquatic ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, neurobiology and behavior, cell and molecular biology, genomics, and reproductive physiology. One of the department’s key strength lies in its active interdisciplinary research with other academic units, such as the School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Institute and Environmental Science and Design Research Initiative.

About the research:

I am an evolutionary biologist and our lab is broadly interested in understanding how an organism responds to novel environments. We are particularly interested in exploring the relative roles of evolutionary processes, such as genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity that underly trait evolution. We integrate a variety of interdisciplinary approaches, including comparative ‘omics’ (Genomics, Metagenomics, Transcriptomics, Epigenomics and Metabolomics), Ecology and Natural history to uncover the molecular basis underlying the processes of adaptive evolution. We work with a variety of non-model systems that includes birds, lizards, frogs and mammals.

What has been the biggest challenge as a new PI so far?

The first challenge was the mental switchover from being a postdoc to a PI. Suddenly realizing you have all the decision making power on future research projects, hiring human resource in the lab, making financial decision etc., was challenging in early days.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about being a new PI?

Being a new PI, I quickly realized that science is not just about your own research project and the lab (the life of a postdoc), but also lot more about communication, outreach and networking. During these pandemic times, how you quickly learn to adapt to different methods of teaching, mentoring, and doing research has been surprising.

Are you recruiting? If so, how do you/ will you choose new lab members?

Yes, I am actively recruiting grad students and postdocs. As our lab is focussed on multidisciplinary research; we aim to choose new lab members who do not hesitate to learn new skills and methods.

When and why did you become a SSE member?

I became SSE member in 2019. Being an evolutionary biologist, I believe this was the ideal society to join as a member.

Do you have a funny story to share from an Evolution Meeting?

Before I ever attended the "evolution meeting", I misinterpreted the "meeting" word. I always thought it was some sort of small "meeting" within specific subject area on evolution. I was taken aback on my first participation when I actually realized the "meeting" in fact had >2500 people participating and I could meet/see almost all big names in the field of evolutionary biology.

Besides research, how do you promote science?

Promoting science for me has been mostly by the usage of social media, giving talks in non scientific forums, taking to media outlets etc.

Do you teach evolution? What is the hardest concept to teach?

Yes, I teach evolution and I enjoy it the most. As my current research is mostly on hybrid speciation, I find the concept "new speciation by hybridization" the hardest concept to teach and explain how far we have come over the ages from the traditional definition of speciation.

What one piece of advice would you give to a starting graduate student?

Graduate studies gives you lot of time (so precious) to learn new skills and explore new research areas. Never hesitate to go outside your comfort zone to learn new things.

What one piece of advice would you give to a postdoc?

Many postdocs continue to have the same mindset as senior grad student. Start to think like a PI already. Develop smart time management skills, as a postdoc you have limited time but you have lot on your hands in terms of publishing your graduate research, starting new independent research, looking for jobs etc.

How was your first faculty meeting?

My first faculty meeting was on the second week of my official start date. I have to admit that rather than focusing on the discussion being done in the meeting, I was just enjoying the moment that I was sitting there as a "faculty."

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Watching sports.