Meet our Early Career Scientist Grant Winner Swarnendu Basak
Introducing the latest winner of our Early Career Scientist Grant - Swarnendu Basak!
Each month we award a $500 grant to one lucky life science PhD or postdoc to support them with their career development. Over the last four years we have helped more than 50 life scientists with the cost of travel to conferences, publishing fees, lab supplies and more.
Our latest winner - Swarnendu Basak - is a PhD student working in the Sultana lab at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, USA, who plans to use the grant to help fund his attendance at the CELL BIO 2025 conference in Philadelphia, USA, on 6th-10th December 2025.
When we asked Swarnendu how he felt about receiving the grant, he told us:
I am truly honored to have been selected for the Hello Bio Early Career Scientist Grant. I greatly appreciate the support, and the $500 will significantly help with the expenses for attending the CELL BIO 2025 conference in Philadelphia. Swarnendu Basak, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, USA, Hello Bio Early Career Scientist Grant winner
Congratulations Swarnendu! First, can you tell us a bit more about what you’re working on at the moment?
I am currently a PhD student in the Sultana Lab at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My research focuses on elucidating how dengue virus modulates host signalling pathways in human megakaryocytes to facilitate its own replication and propagation.
What excites you most about your field of research?
The dynamic interplay between pathogens and host cell cycle regulation fascinates me. The fact that a virus can hijack host machinery to alter cell fate decisions is both alarming and incredibly intriguing—and understanding this at a molecular level opens up countless therapeutic possibilities.
Which scientists working today do you most admire, and why?
I greatly admire Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett for her pivotal role in developing the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Her work is a perfect example of how foundational immunology research can translate into life-saving global health solutions.
What do you think are the biggest challenges currently facing life scientists and their work?
I believe one of the biggest challenges today is the reproducibility crisis, where findings from many published studies can’t be consistently replicated. Additionally, limited funding opportunities and the pressure to publish quickly often compromise long-term, in-depth scientific exploration.
And finally… what's your favourite science quote?
“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” – Carl Sagan
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Thank you so much Swarnendu! We wish the best with your future research projects and we hope you enjoy the CELL BIO 2025 conference!
Connect with Swarnendu:
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LinkedIn: Swarnendu Basak
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X: @swarnVBD
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Facebook: Swarnendu Basak
Are YOU a life science PhD or postdoc researcher? Why not apply for our next monthly grant!
Application is quick and easy, just fill out the form here: https://hellobio.com/early-career-scientist-grant-application
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