色界吧

If there鈥檚 one lesson that Nanda Lahiri-Mushtaq (B.S.鈥� 05) has taken with her since graduating from 色界吧, it鈥檚 to think outside the box. That mantra saw her through a switch in academic paths, a happy but challenging life change, and a thrilling career in research.

Lahiri-Mushtaq arrived as a freshman at 色界吧 hoping to become a doctor one day; specifically, she had her sights set on the emergency room (ER) because, as she says, 鈥淓ach day is different.鈥� Circumstances beyond her control (a status change on her visa meant she would have to study medicine outside of the continental United States) led her to dismiss that dream and instead focus on research. It turned out to be a great decision. 鈥淚 found I liked being in the lab,鈥� she recalls.

After earning her undergraduate degree in life sciences, Lahiri-Mushtaq worked with Professor of Biological and Chemical Sciences , on a research project. 鈥淪he became my mentor, and that鈥檚 how I really entered research,鈥� Lahiri-Mushtaq says.

Lahiri-Mushtaq went on to earn a master鈥檚 in immunology from Long Island University and prepared for her Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology. Now married, she told herself she couldn鈥檛 start a family while continuing her education. In her first year of her Ph.D. studies at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, she became pregnant. 鈥淚 realized I could give up [on my Ph.D.] or do both and be good at it,鈥� Lahiri-Mushtaq says. 鈥淚 spoke with mentors who said I didn鈥檛 have to be in the lab all the time; I could work on writing my papers. It was hard, but people came together for me. I had a good support system. So, I had a child and I also got my degree.鈥�

Looking back, Lahiri-Mushtaq now sees how she put unnecessary limitations on herself. 鈥淪ometimes we鈥檙e in our heads too much,鈥� she says.

Armed with her Ph.D. and newfound confidence, Lahiri-Mushtaq considered her next move. Here again, she thought outside the box to determine her path. She didn鈥檛 want to become a professor. Instead, she wanted to dive into research and launched a successful research career at major pharmaceutical companies, developing immunology drugs.

In the lab, Lahiri-Mushtaq found the exhilaration she had hoped to experience as an ER doctor. Each day brings the promise of new discoveries and continued promises for people with immunology-related illnesses. 鈥淭here will be a treatment for them, hopefully in my lifetime,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working on viable solutions.鈥�

Lahiri-Mushtaq takes the lessons she learned in her studies and career and applies them outside of the lab. She tries to instill them in her daughter, too. 鈥淟earning is not a static process,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd you can apply that in different ways throughout your life.鈥�

By Diane DiPiero