Graduation Spotlight: Sejal Sharma graduates from ERP program
Congratulations to Sejal Sharma, who graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program this year! Sharma's PhD thesis focused on developing a combination therapy of OXPHOS inhibitors with cancer vaccines for treatment of ovarian cancer; her mentor was Manish Patankar, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences.
In advance of graduation, Sharma shared some reflections of her time in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn:
Why were you interested in your research topic?
Ovarian cancer is a devastating gynecologic disease that is too often caught in late stages, leading to low survival rates. Having witnessed my own relatives suffer from cancer, I know firsthand how difficult this battle is. Driven to serve patients and improve these outcomes, I focused my research on finding new treatment options. Because cancer is highly complex and a single treatment doesn't work for everyone, I have been involved in three key projects to overcome current limitations: drug development using computational biology, immunotherapy, and innovative cell therapy approaches.
What lessons will you carry forward from your research?
Research is as much about personal growth as it is about scientific discovery. Here are the key lessons I am carrying forward from my time in the lab:
- Resilience is everything: Success requires a 'never-give-up' attitude.
- Failed experiments are still progress: Not every experiment yields the expected results, but each one offers a lesson learned and a story worth remembering.
- Meticulous planning pays off: Designing every experiment with the care and precision of a 'final experiment' is the true key to progress.
- Collaboration is crucial: Never hesitate to ask questions and seek help from mentors and peers.
What is next on your academic or professional horizons?
Next, I want to focus on moving my research from 'bench to bedside' to better serve the community. I plan to continue my work with a stronger focus on humanized models, which are much more clinically relevant for taking drug development to the next level.
Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other members of the department who shaped your experience here?
They say it takes a village, and that is especially true for a PhD! No doctoral journey is completed alone, and I have so many people to thank. First, a special shout-out to my PI, Dr. Manish Patankar, for his trust and support throughout my time in his lab. Thank you also to Dr. Jacques Galipeau and Dr. Lisa Barroilhet for their incredible mentorship and for always treating me as a valued collaborator. Being co-mentored was a true highlight, it taught me to look at science through both a basic and clinical lens. Last but certainly not least, thank you to the Ob-Gyn department and the ERP program committee for shaping my experience here!