First of all, can you tell us more about yourself? Where are you from, what are your hobbies?

I am originally from India. Outside of my research, I am an avid traveler and fitness
enthusiast. You can usually find me long-distance running or hitting the slopes for some snowboarding whenever I get the chance to explore new terrains.

And your university background?

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering in India, which gave me a strong foundation in understanding how stuff is built at the atomic level. Driven by a desire to go even smaller, I moved to Italy to pursue my Master’s degree in Nanotechnology.

Why did you choose this career path? What is your interest about science?

My passion lies at the intersection of healthcare and cutting-edge technology. I’ve always been fascinated by how we can use computational power and machine learning to solve complex biological puzzles, specifically, accelerating the discovery of life-saving drugs for diseases that currently lack effective treatments.

Can you tell us more about your research project?

My project focuses on AI-guided drug design and delivery. I am developing and training machine learning models capable of generating shape-specific peptide candidates tailored to target specific diseases. Once the AI designs these promising candidates, I transition into the wet lab to physically synthesize and test them, creating a powerful feedback loop between computer simulations and experimental reality.

Same question, but for people who don’t understand a thing about chemistry
(#MultiSMARTfordummies)

Think of diseases like a lock, and the cure as a highly specific key. Traditionally, scientists had to manually try millions of different keys to see which one fit, which takes years. In my project, I am teaching a computer (AI) to understand the shape of the lock. The AI then instantly « 3D-prints » millions of virtual keys, picks the absolute best shape, and hands it to me. I then go into the lab to build that exact key out of real molecules and see if it unlocks the cure!

What will your research bring to people and to society in general?

By merging AI with laboratory science, this research aims to make medicine highly
personalized and proactive. Ultimately, it contributes to a future of preventive care and a much deeper understanding of individual health, allowing us to catch and treat diseases far earlier than we can today.

How do you feel being part of a MSCA Doctoral Network project?

It has been an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. Being part of an MSCA network means you are never working in a silo; I get to collaborate daily and share ideas with brilliant researchers from completely different cultural and scientific backgrounds.

What are your projects after the defense of your thesis?

Post-defense, I want to continue bridging the gap between computer science and biology. My goal is to fully develop and refine these simulations into an end-to-end pipeline, taking a drug candidate all the way from an AI concept to a validated laboratory reality.

Do you have a recommendation/an advice for future potential MSCA fellows?

Embrace the journey! An MSCA fellowship is a unique opportunity to deeply explore a topic you love while experiencing the world. Make the most of traveling to different countries for progress meetings and network events. The collaborative research and the lifelong connections you make are just as valuable as the science itself.