Inspiring, Honest, Leader

"Dr. Rawat is truly deserving of the Lab Hero Award for his exceptional qualities and unwavering dedication. He is an incredibly friendly, supportive, and inspiring presence in the lab, always ready to lend a hand and offer a positive perspective in any situation. Dr. Rawat stands out as a clear leader, generously dedicating his time to mentor and assist fellow lab members, greatly enhancing the lab's productivity. His selflessness and willingness to help have not only propelled multiple projects forward but also created a collaborative and uplifting atmosphere for everyone. Beyond his supportive nature, Dr. Rawat’s insatiable scientific curiosity consistently drives our research forward. He provides critical insights that deepen our understanding and push our work to new heights. His research on identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in breast tumors holds immense potential to advance women’s health. Notably, his discovery of uric acid’s antagonistic effect on the experimental therapeutic rigosertib sheds light on why this promising drug, despite performing well in preclinical models, failed in clinical trials. This finding, backed by his award from the Foundation for Women’s Wellness Fellowship, offers crucial implications for future cancer therapies. Dr. Rawat balances his demanding scientific role with grace, excelling not only as a dedicated postdoc but also as an incredible husband, father, and friend. His resilience, passion, and generosity make him a remarkable asset to the lab and a truly inspiring role model."

Nominated by Miriam Rodriguez Esquivel, Sant Lab/ Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Illinois Chicago, United States