Interviews with Scientists: Arun Shukla
It’s time for a new installment of our Interviews with Scientists series, and this time we were lucky enough to speak with Professor Arun Shukla of the Indian Institute of Technology!
Professor Shukla is a biologist who uses structural biology tools to address fundamental questions related to cellular physiology and signaling. He has won multiple awards for his contributions to science, including the 2016 NASI-Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award, the 2017 EMBO Young Investigator Award, the 2023 Infosys Prize in Life Sciences, and the prestigious National Bioscience Award for Career Development from the Government of India.
He is a keen mentor to early career scientists, and was supervisor to Jagannath Maharana when he won the ‘Lab Scholar’ prize at the 2021 Hello Bio Lab Heroes Awards. He has also mentored Ramanuj Banerjee who was ‘highly commended’ in our most recent Lab Heroes Awards 2024.
We were keen to talk to Arun about his career, his research focus, his passion for mentoring and the importance of effective leadership in the lab!
Hi Arun! Please can you tell us about your current role at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India?
I am a Professor and Sonu Agrawal Memorial Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, and direct the Laboratory of GPCR Biology.
Did you always want to work in science when you were younger, and if so why?
My initial inclination towards research was inspired by my elder brother, who is currently a Professor in Physics, and it was my summer internship during M.Sc. that really hooked me to research. Doing an experiment and then seeing the results was inspiring.
What was the focus of your PhD and post-doctoral research?
I have always been fascinated by the intricate mechanisms of GPCRs, and I worked on structural and signaling aspects of these receptors during my Ph.D. and post-doctoral research.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
We are trying to explore the activation, signaling, and regulation of GPCRs and other non-canonical seven transmembrane receptors. I am often tagged as a structural biologist, but I consider myself a biologist who is using structural biology tools among others to address fundamental questions related to cellular physiology and signaling.
What excites you most about the work that you do?
Clearly, working with the students and fellows in the lab, and discussing science with them every day is the best part of doing science for me. The passion and excitement of our students for research is simply unparalleled, and it is a tremendous experience to share the same with them.
You have been a mentor to many students over the years. What do you enjoy most about mentoring?
Perhaps the best part of mentoring the students and fellows is to see their growth over time. Holding the hands of the new students to get them going, and then as they mature with time in every aspect including experimental design, interpretation, and presentation, is incredibly satisfying.
You have won several awards for your research work. Why is it important to recognise and celebrate great science?
These awards recognize the work done of the students in our laboratory over the years. These are not personal achievements but an appreciation and reflection of the passion, motivation, and dedication of the students. It is for them, and I just receive these on their behalf.
As the head of a science laboratory, which qualities would you say are essential for effective lab leadership?
Understanding that everyone working in the lab is different is very important. People have different ambitions, goals, styles, and so on. As a mentor, it is crucial to realize that, and connect with them in a manner that echoes with them. A good mentor has to tailor their mentorship for different individuals to have an enjoyable and productive experience.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing life scientists at the moment?
Well, I can speak about it in an Indian context. The challenges associated with the research funding landscape are certainly something that can be improved. There have to be ambitious initiatives to support truly cutting-edge science in different domains with a focus on collaboration and high-risk high-reward endeavours.
What's the most valuable piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?
My post-doctoral mentor, Professor Robert Lefkowitz (Nobel Laureate, 2012) used to say that there are three keys to success, the first is focus, the second is focus, and third is focus. I think this is something that has always stayed with me.
Outside of your career, what do you enjoy doing most? (e.g. hobbies, passion projects, etc.)
Well, these days, I enjoy playing with my daughter who is three. Taking her out for a walk, playing with her in the park or at home is something that I really have a lot of fun with.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us, eg. any other specific issues or initiatives in science that you are involved with or are passionate about?
I am very passionate about contributing towards improving the research infrastructure in the country, and liaising with our funding agencies and policymakers to catalyze new initiatives and research directions. I am also very excited about inspiring the Indian students and fellows working abroad to consider moving back to India and contributing to our science and technology ecosystem.
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Thank you for speaking with us Arun! We wish you the very best for your future research.
Connect with Arun:
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LinkedIn: Arun Shukla
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X: @arshukla
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