Anitha Vijayakumar has dedicated over a decade to the study of biochemistry, specifically lipid metabolism. This extensive background has led her to her current position as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where she focuses on manipulating RNA-binding proteins to potentially enhance cancer treatments.
"Research is about fueling our own curiosity to make a difference," Vijayakumar stated. "I care because it holds the potential to improve lives and create a better world."
Vijayakumar's research within the Division of Molecular Medicine at the UNM Health Sciences Center concentrates on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). According to Vijayakumar, RBPs regulate gene expression by interacting with RNA molecules. Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA, which is then used to produce proteins, essential components and functional units of cells.
“These proteins can decide what happens to the RNA, whether it gets translated into a protein, how long it stays in the cell, or whether it’s broken down,” Vijayakumar explained. “This control is crucial for the cell’s health and function. If RBPs malfunction or are improperly regulated, it can lead to various diseases including cancer. Understanding these proteins helps us uncover how cells maintain balance and how this balance can be disrupted.”
Born in Tamilnadu, India, Vijayakumar attributes her interest in biology to her family and mentors. She earned degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology before completing a doctorate in Biological Sciences.
“As a researcher, I failed multiple times, but I can only recall the learning after each failure, which always enabled me to improve my skill sets,” she said. “This taught me the importance of knowing my projects and related experiments at their most fundamental level. As a result, I got the knowledge and skill sets necessary to manage several projects concentrating on plant biology, food, and lately cancer biology.”
Vijayakumar noted that her tenure at UNM has fostered collaboration across various disciplines tackling complex challenges in cancer biology—an approach she aims to continue as she transitions into her new role as a research assistant professor.
"Stepping into the role feels like opening a new chapter of possibility to explore deeper into the unknown," she remarked. "I’m eager to blend curiosity with purpose, turning questions into breakthroughs."