Faculty Konnect is an interview series by BioPatrika that highlights the journeys, research, and mentorship experiences of leading scientists and faculty members in India. It aims to inspire young researchers by offering insights into academic career paths, lab leadership, and the science behind the scenes.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOHbaFZtjvOHjo0eS4KtxY5gCs2k9Poe3
Dr. Bhavana Muralidharan (Faculty, InStem) shares her journey from molecular biology to decoding neurodevelopmental disorders using mouse models and brain organoids. She talks mentorship, postdoc tips, and the balance between academia and industry. A must-watch for aspiring scientists!
🎥 Watch the full Faculty Konnect interview
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Inside the Lab Exploring Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Bhavana Muralidharan, Faculty at InStem
This interview from BioPatrika’s Faculty Spotlight features Dr. Bhavana Muralidharan, a faculty member at InStem, discussing her journey and research on neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Muralidharan shares insights into her career path, the scientific questions her lab is exploring, her experience mentoring students, and advice for those aspiring to a career in academia.
Q: Dr. Muralidharan, how was your journey from your PhD to your current position at InStem?
A: It involved some twists and turns. My PhD was in molecular biology, studying RNA-protein interactions in insulin mRNA translation. I wanted my work to have more clinical application, leading me to neurobiology. My PhD training was very helpful as it allowed me to ask molecular questions in neuroscience. I did a postdoc in mouse genetic models of neurodevelopment at TIFR Mumbai and a short postdoc at UCL London studying ALS using iPSC-derived neurons. This background in molecular biology, developmental neurobiology, and disease led me to start my lab at InStem, where we study neurodevelopmental disorders like intellectual disability and bipolar disorder using mouse models and iPSC-derived organoids and 2D cultures.
Q: How was it that you chose your career in academia?
A: It wasn’t a childhood dream. I initially wanted to be a doctor. While I didn’t get into medical school immediately, I joined a B.Tech biotechnology program. I was always interested in science (physics, chemistry, biology). The B.Tech program exposed me to the research behind textbook knowledge, planting the idea of research as a career. I pursued a PhD to explore this, and my interest grew. Becoming a PI wasn’t a conscious decision from the start but rather a step-by-step progression after my PhD and postdocs.
Q: What scientific discovery are you chasing right now in your lab?
A: The brain is like a black box, difficult to study directly in humans. While we use mouse models, human and mouse brain development differs significantly. iPSC-derived models like organoids and 2D cultures are valuable. Our fundamental goal is to learn about fundamental biology from a disease perspective. Dysfunction can reveal function. We aim to model neurodevelopmental disorders in vitro and in animal models to understand what goes wrong and gain novel insights into human brain development. Essentially, we are working on human in vitro disease models of neurodevelopmental disorders, which also helps us uncover fundamental mechanisms in human brain development.
Q: How is your journey as a PI? What does it feel like mentoring students and guiding them along their journey of PhD?
A: It’s a pleasure interacting with young minds, but it’s also a responsibility. I’m currently at the bench teaching them experiments. These young minds are curious and enthusiastic, so it’s our duty to shape them well. This involves not just teaching experimental techniques but also sparking how to think about research problems. We need to inculcate hypothesis-driven thinking and good lab practices, including writing good lab notebooks. I also emphasize that research is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring patience and a step-by-step approach. It’s rewarding to work with them as they often come up with great ideas and enthusiasm.
Q: What advice would you have for people or students like me who are trying to move into the academy after their PhD?
A: It’s a critical decision. If you want to stay in academia, choose your postdoc labs very carefully. Look for a good mentor, a well-funded lab with good research questions, and opportunities for career growth, like independent projects and good publications. Spend time choosing a postdoc lab – it can take about a year. Don’t rush. In your last year of PhD, start thinking about where you want to go and network with people in the field. Reach out to PIs, postdocs, or graduate students in labs you’re interested in. Start early, network, read other labs’ work, and prepare a small SOP to share with potential PIs. They appreciate candidates who have done their homework.
Q: Nowadays, I’ve seen a lot of people are moving from academia into the industry. But is there any way to move into academia after you have spent some time or experience in an industrial background? Can that be done?
A: Absolutely, I think it should be doable. A PhD is not just a degree; it’s a life skill that includes patience, productivity, and creative thinking. These skills are valuable regardless of whether you’re in academia or industry. Wise people understand the value of a PhD. So, I don’t see any restrictions on moving from industry back to academia. In fact, experience in the industry could be beneficial to academia.
Q: Do you have any other hobbies that you like to follow besides working in the lab?
A: Yes, I used to be a trained classical dancer. These days, my hobbies include running and playing badminton. It’s important to unwind completely outside of the lab and research to recharge. I spend my weekend Sunday playing badminton and running.
This insightful conversation with Dr. Bhavana Muralidharan provided a glimpse into the world of neurodevelopmental research and the journey of an academic scientist. Her experiences and advice will surely be valuable to those interested in pursuing a career in scientific research. Thank you, Dr. Muralidharan, for sharing your time and expertise.
Learn more about other STEM professions: https://biopatrika.com/category/career/career-konnect/
If you are planning to skip postdoc and directly jump to independent Principal investigator position, apply for Rowland Fellows Program: Applications open for 2026.
