Madhu Sudhan Ravindran

Nationality: India
Current Job: Principal Investigator, Biocon-Bristol Myers Squibb R&D Center, Bangalore, India
Graduation: NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), Year 2012
Undergraduate: University of Madras, Chennai, India

"Doing a PhD can seem like a daunting few years of your life especially when projects don't work and experiments fail. Think of it as just a passing phase and focus on the positives. Talk to your supervisor and friends and colleagues and have faith that you can always reach out to the awesome staff at NUS!"

In retrospect, would you still have chosen to do a PhD? Why?

Yes, for better career opportunity.

On hindsight, would you still have chosen NUS to do your PhD?

Yes, any day. It provided me with scientific exposure and international collaboration. NUS is a huge cultural mix which is sure to expand your perspectives.

On hindsight, would you have chosen the same research topic for your PhD?

Yes. The topic I worked was novel and currently it is recognized internationally.

On hindsight, would you have chosen the same research supervisor for your PhD?

Yes, I am very happy and I believe I made the right decision to work under Prof Markus Wenk. He provided me with the right project, plenty of scientific advice, and a vision for me to achieve my career goals.

How did NUS prepare you for your career?

NUS provided me with a wide range of collaboration opportunities.

How did your experiences as a graduate student shape and guide you in your current career?

The independence that I was allowed to have during my PhD helped me develop logical thinking and learn to look at the big picture.

Suggest 2 or 3 things that graduate students should do to prepare for their professional careers?

Take bold steps to achieve your career goals, take up interdisciplinary projects and foster collaboration with your peers.

What advice would you give someone considering doing his/her PhD at NUS?

Take the opportunity to explore the scientific culture, make friends and develop collaborations. Also, do travel in and around Singapore.

Any other words of wisdom to share?

Doing a PhD can seem like a daunting few years of your life especially when projects don’t work and experiments fail. Think of it as just a passing phase and focus on the positives. Talk to your supervisor and friends and colleagues and have faith that you can always reach out to the awesome staff at NUS.