Anubama Rajan MS, PhD

Assistant Professor at IITM. Organoid Exlporer. Microbiologist. Virologist. Scientist. Mom to two Suns and one Star. BCM alumni.

[From the Labs at Baylor College of Medicine @BCMFromtheLabs]

Miniature Nose #Organoids Used to Determine Why #RSV Affects #Infants More Severely. D. Nagaraj, A. Rajan @ORGAMEDLab, P Piedra, V. Avadhanula, @OrganoidDiva, @EstesLab_BCM et al. @bcmhouston @BCM_Pediatrics @BCMCME #humanOrganoids @biocompare https://t.co/M0RyJXF2Lh

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

4/
More than 90% of my time went into admin work.
Science? That 10% — I had to guard like treasure.

Late nights.
Coffee shops.
Stolen hours between chaos — just to read, write, and breathe.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

3/
Even before I joined, I’d heard murmurs about the paperwork.

Colleagues at YIM shared their struggles —
But rarely their solutions.

So when I faced it myself, the sheer depth of it hit hard.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

3/
My first talk at IIT Madras — to a room full of top clinicians — was unforgettable.

I spoke about organoid models.
I’d given talks before.
But this one felt electric.

For the first time, I felt not just understood — but wanted.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

2/
I could’ve just focused on setting up my lab.
But I saw something bigger — a chance to help shape what could come next.

Even if it wasn’t expected of me, explicitly or on paper —
I stepped in. Alone, afraid — and all in.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

2/
In 2022, I was in limbo — between countries, fellowships, decisions, and outcomes.
On paper, things looked like they were moving. But inside, I was scared.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

3/ I chose to train in airway organoids — a field that was new, technically tough, but vital for India.
I joined Dr. Pedro Piedra’s lab with one goal: bring something novel & useful back home.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

2/ A senior Indian scientist said something that stuck with me:
“They don’t just look at your profile. They look at what you bring back.”
That line shifted everything. I began thinking about how to contribute meaningfully.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

@_KarishmaK So damn true!

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

5/
Saying yes wasn’t easy. I was starting from scratch.
And while doing that, I was also raising 3 kids. Balancing vendor calls, school runs, grant deadlines, and bedtime stories.

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

4/
After 10+ years in the US, I was already feeling the pull to return.
This felt like my Swadesi moment — the point where going back started feeling like moving forward.

[IIT Madras @iitmadras]

@iitmadras announces a landmark collaboration between the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, IIT Madras and the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This partnership aims to foster cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary training, and curriculum development—paving the way for impactful solutions in medical technology and beyond. Through this collaboration, IIT Madras reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the operational readiness and well-being of our Armed Forces.

Together, we look forward to building innovations that matter—at the intersection of science, healthcare, and national service.

#IITMadras #AFMS #MedicalInnovation #DefenceResearch #HealthcareTechnology

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

Academic grades rarely predict success in science. Lab skills, critical thinking, and resilience in the face of failure matter far more. It is indeed time we rethink how we define and select talent in research. #Science #Resilience #RethinkAdmissions

[Michael 英泉 Eisen @mbeisen]

Here's the thing. We have **NO IDEA** how to pick good graduate students. I served on admission committees for 10+ years, and chaired a few, and what I learned is that all the spreadsheets of grades and test scores and recommendations and essays and publications and interview rubrics are just an elaborate ruse to pretend we know what we're doing when we simply don't. Many of the most highly ranked applicants to our "top" program flamed out quickly, and tons of the students we summarily rejected have turned into amazing scientists. But in the name of creating meritocratic seeming rankings that are more about creating a workforce than great scientists (a system that anyone paying attention knows is bullshit), we've created a homogenous process adopted by nearly all institutions that has stamped out the one thing we should be striving for - given our lack of any clear understanding of what leads to success - a wide range of difference talents and experiences.

[Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras @ogeiitm]

Regional Young Investigators’ Meetings (RYIM) aim to build local networks of scientists and science professionals with an aim to promote regional collaborations and change.

The RYIM Chennai, will be held from 22 – 24 January 2025, on the scenic, wildlife-rich campus of IITM. The theme of the meeting focuses on the ​‘Future of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.’ RYIM Chennai is being organised by IIT Madras in partnership with the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) to bring together clinicians, scientists, young investigators, and allied health professionals to explore advancements in healthcare and interdisciplinary research.

More Details: https://t.co/FuT9hvW2va
Registration: https://t.co/y4fyowOPy4

#IITM #SRIHER #RYIM #Collaborations #Partenships

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

@Rohit71766697

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

We are excited to host the Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting 2024-2025 at IIT Madras from 22-24 January 2025! Join us to network, learn, and grow as we shape the future of medicine and allied health sciences.

#Science #STEM #FutureOfMedicine #YIM #ScienceCareers #Science

[IndiaBioscience.org @IndiaBioscience]

@iitmadras @mstiitm @iitmbt @SRIIC_SRIHER @SRIHER_Official @ORGAMEDLab
@RevvityInc @RevvityLifeSci @LeicaMicro @iitmglobal @BDBiosciences

[Anubama Rajan MS, PhD @ORGAMEDLab]

Had a wonderful time at the Centriole, Cilia & Cilopathies conference at IITB! Honored to speak about organoids and their role in advancing respiratory research. Grateful for the incredible discussions and insights from this stellar community! 🚀🧬 #Cilia #Organoids #WomenInSTEM

[Sruthi RJ @sruthi_rj]

Day 2 off to an exciting start with Dr.Ammasi walking us through the basics of FRET imaging.
Dr. Sebastian Raja training the participants on the Leica Confocal System @ Department of Medical Sciences and Technology.

@PradhanLab #F4AdvancedBioimagingWorkshop #iitmbt @iitmbt