Written by Kaia Van Der Merwe. 2025 PROMISE Scholar

Where did you grow up?

I am originally from this place called Kashmir. It is a small, but beautiful place.

What inspired you to become a scientist?

Ever since I was young, I wanted to do something different. Growing up, I would hear stories of amazing scientists like Newton, Einstein, and Marie Curie who have uncovered astounding discoveries once thought impossible. When I was little, I thought that everything had already been invented or discovered and there was nothing else for me to discover, but then that perspective changed entirely when I began my Master’s program. My horizons expanded dramatically as I was exposed to new ideas and opportunities I had never considered before. During this time I encountered many inspiring scientists that opened my eyes to the vastness of the scientific world and the many unanswered questions that remain.

What are you currently working on in your research?

My lab studies pediatric cancer, focusing currently on a type of liver cancer called hepatoblastoma. We know that cancer cells in tumors often lack nutrients and are in a starved state. These starved cells can later become more aggressive and spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. We are trying to understand how this lack of nutrients changes the way these cancer cells function, both at the level of gene activity and how their RNA is processed, and why these changes make the cancer more likely to spread.

What are you trying to answer in your research?

The primary tumor is very curable by surgery or chemotherapy. The bigger problem however is metastasis, which is when the cancer spreads to the other parts of the body or when it becomes resistant to therapies. We are trying to understand what makes the cancers metastatic, and why only some cancers become metastatic and how we can prevent that. 

What is a surprising thing that you have discovered?

When I was treating cells with starved media, they expressed isoforms of genes that were more ‘oncogenic’ meaning these were the isoforms that were also expressed in the cancer. I was surprised to see that cancer cells, when you treat them with stress, have ways to survive under stressed conditions. That doesn't happen in normal cells. One of the ways they survived was by expressing these isoforms of genes that help them become tumorigenic.

Have you ever failed at something and what did you learn about it?

Any time you try something new, there's always a chance it won’t work, but failure isn’t a bad thing. In science, failure is a normal and expected part of the process, which is why it’s important not to get discouraged or give up. When that does happen, however, you need to reflect on why your experiment failed,  and tweak your approach and then try it again. Failure in science is inevitable because all research is based on hypotheses. These hypotheses have the potential to be wrong. When that happens, we learn from the outcome and use it to develop better, more informed ideas. The most important thing to do is to not give up and keep a good outlook on things. The reason I am at the place I am at today is because I kept going and persevered through challenging times.

How do you feel your experience being a female scientist differs from your male counterparts?

This is a layered question, and there are many aspects that could be explored at length. I can only speak from my own experience, and I have not personally encountered overt discrimination being a female scientist. I believe this is largely due to the efforts and perseverance of the women who came before me, whose struggles paved the way for a more equitable environment today. That said, I am fully aware that many women around the world continue to face bias and barriers in science. My own path has been made possible by the unwavering support of my parents during my upbringing and, perhaps most importantly, by an exceptionally supportive partner who has stood by me throughout my career.

Advice for future scientists?

Never give up. Don’t expect an easy path or assume that success will be handed to you. A career in science requires persistence, resilience, and a strong work ethic. It’s a long journey that cannot be rushed, one that involves long hours, repeated failures, and continuous learning. Embrace the setbacks, learn from them, and let them shape your growth. Stay positive & focused. 

Career Journey:

Undergraduate degree: University of Hyderabad, India

Master's Degree: Animal biotechnology

Ph.D. University of Cologne, Germany- Genetics

Post-doctoral training: Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio - Tumor microenvironment and Pediatric cancer.