PhD Student Spotlight: Paul Victor Santiago Raj
“Learn from yesterday’s mistake” – Paul Victor Santiago Raj
It was 2021 when Raj started his pursuit of a doctor of philosophy degree at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy after completing his MT degree in Biotechnology from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, India. Inspired by the kidney-related research of the Schnellmann lab, under the guidance of Dean Rick G. Schnellmann, he selected the pharmacology and toxicology program to continue his interest in treating kidney disease.
Raj was recently awarded third place at the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Annual Meeting for his poster submission of MARY1 Promotes Recovery from Acute Kidney Injury through Induction of Mitochondrial Biogenesis under the division for cardiovascular pharmacology in the category of graduate and post-baccalaureate students. He also received placement in the 2024 ASPET Conference Training Program hosted this past May in Arlington, Virginia.
Raj is also a two-time consecutive awardee of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney STARS, which is a travel grant by the ASN to stimulate interest in nephrology careers by targeting medical students, residents, and graduate students with an interest in nephrology who have not yet committed to applying to a fellowship or pursuing kidney research. Additionally, this year he was selected for the prestigious ASN TREKS (Tutored Research and Education for Kidney Scholars) held this past June at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. TREKS is an initiative established by the ASN, designed to foster interest in careers in nephrology and research through a week-long research course retreat and long-term mentorship program.
What was it about this area of research that inspired you?
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor towards onset and progression of acute kidney injury. The Schnellmann laboratory researches novel drugs that induce mitochondrial biogenesis for the treatment of acute kidney injury. The inspiration for my research is that there are no FDA-approved drugs for acute kidney injury and targeting mitochondrial homeostasis is a potential strategy for treating kidney diseases.
What has been your favorite part of the PhD program? Why?
My favorite part of the PhD program is the availability of cutting-edge resources, tools and renowned professors to research and identify potential therapeutic strategies for human diseases. Also, here at the College of Pharmacy, the University of Arizona encourages graduate students in their professional growth and supports them throughout their journey to success.
What year do you expect to graduate?
I am expecting to graduate by Fall 2025.
What are your post-graduation plans?
After my graduation, I am planning to do a Postdoctoral research fellowship in the field of kidney diseases.
What advice would you give to incoming graduate program students?
Build community in your area of research, communicate your research in conferences and journals, and most importantly stay motivated.