Meet Ritika Raghavan, a fifth-year Ph.D. neuroscience candidate who is studying the pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic diseases, particularly how GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs affect the brain to regulate weight loss. She is mentored by Julio Ayala, an associate professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and is part of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute.
Vanderbilt recently highlighted her advice to someone working toward a graduate degree and how she wants to better the world.
We sat down with Raghavan to talk about her experiences as a Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt, the mentorship and education that have shaped her journey, and what makes her unique both in and outside of the lab.
Looking back, what made you decide Vanderbilt was the right place for your training?
The thing that struck me as unique about Vanderbilt, and what ultimately made me choose it to pursue my graduate career, was the community. The in-person interview weekend for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Pathway that I applied to really highlighted this.
One example of this community aspect that has been reflected in my professional academic experience at Vanderbilt is the existence of various cores, such as the Cell Imaging Shared Resource and the Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, that not only make cutting-edge technological resources extremely accessible but truly strive to build a community among the people that use these resources.
Can you briefly describe your current role and what excites you most about your work today?
I am a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Julio Ayala’s lab and in the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program. Our lab studies the pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic diseases. We are evaluating the mechanism of action of the GLP-1 receptor agonist weight-loss drugs. With the growing popularity of these drugs, it is inherently exciting to be working in this field. However, the strong therapeutic ability of these drugs to reduce weight is paving the way for a new era in basic science research on the mechanisms of obesity itself: How does obesity manifest and can we learn more about it by learning how GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs “cure” it?
How did your training at Vanderbilt prepare you for your upcoming current path?
I believe that looking back two, five, or 10 years back from now, reflecting on my time here, that the collaborative spirit of Vanderbilt will have been an important part of my training. Throughout the many steps along the way, my mentors and peers have always made the science a collaborative experience, which has also allowed me to pass on my knowledge to others. As I start to wrap up my thesis and look for opportunities for the next stage in my career, I plan to highlight this part of my training in the hope that it is appreciated and considered as part of my evaluation.
What is one accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
One of my biggest accomplishments so far during my training has been spearheading Vanderbilt International Researchers Alliance, a student organization focused on supporting, connecting, and advocating for international researchers, students, and staff. I have had a wonderful time being part of this organization for more than four years, culminating with a year and a half of serving as its president. It has been extremely rewarding to work with a wonderful team of peers outside of the research space and to provide meaningful support to the scientific community. As the president, I felt a wonderful feeling of pride when directing the path of this organization and its activities. It was rewarding to see the VIRAL team grow and show their passions while working for a shared cause.
Were there particular mentors, collaborators, or aspects of the Vanderbilt community that shaped your experience?
For the past three years, my thesis professor, Dr. Ayala, has had the biggest role in shaping my graduate experience, and I am extremely glad for his support and guidance. I particularly appreciate the candidness with which I can approach him with the vast number of problems that arise on the lab bench and the unique situation that graduate students are often in—i.e., being a student but also developing a professional career. Being in his lab has taught me the value of having a good mentor, of not taking mentorship for granted, and of being proactive in building a mentorship that stays for life.
In addition, the people in the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training have been very important to me. Ashely Brady, Kim Petrie, and Jan Varadarajan, to name a few, have been instrumental to my professional growth here. The programs they organize are so well thought out and executed, and they sincerely care about the best outcomes for the trainees that pass through the biomedical research labs at Vanderbilt. It is a very empowering feeling to know that so many people at Vanderbilt are rooting for your success!