Madhurima Dhara, PhD
Dr. Madhurima Dhara is a Principal Scientist at Verge Genomics, where she leads cutting-edge research in neuroscience and metabolic disorders to accelerate drug discovery and development. With over 15 years of experience spanning academia and biotech, she specializes in building and scaling human-relevant 2D and 3D in vitro disease models that drive mechanistic understanding, target validation, and IND-enabling studies. Her leadership in multidisciplinary teams and collaborations with industry partners such as Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca reflects her ability to integrate scientific innovation with strategic execution to advance transformative therapeutics.
Before joining Verge Genomics, Dr. Dhara served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Janssen Research & Development (Johnson & Johnson), where she conducted genome-wide screening and high-content imaging studies to identify and validate novel protein regulators involved in neuronal receptor assembly and function. Her earlier academic work at the University of Saarland, Germany, focused on elucidating the biophysical mechanisms of calcium-dependent exocytosis in neurons and neuroendocrine cells, earning her a PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Neuroscience (Summa Cum Laude). Her scientific contributions have provided key insights into cellular signaling, ion channel biology, and molecular mechanisms underlying neurological diseases.
Beyond the laboratory, Madhurima is passionate about equal opportunity, mentorship, diversity in STEM, and global child welfare initiatives. She actively supports organizations such as Women in Bio and Save the Children, reflecting her belief in science as both an intellectual and humanitarian pursuit. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her young daughter. Guided by her personal mantra—“Give yourself some grace”—she continues to inspire the next generation of scientists through her dedication, empathy, and curiosity.
• Universität des Saarlandes - PhD
• Awarded Best PhD
• Save the children
• Women in bio
• Moving day for Parkinson's awareness
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a blend of scientific curiosity, persistence, and collaboration. From the start of my career, I’ve been driven by a deep curiosity to understand complex disease mechanisms — especially in neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders. That curiosity pushes me to ask challenging questions and explore innovative approaches. Persistence has been equally important; in drug discovery, setbacks are inevitable, but I’ve learned to view them as opportunities to refine strategy and strengthen the science. Finally, I place great value on collaboration — success in translational research depends on building strong cross-functional teams, mentoring others, and fostering open communication. I think this combination of curiosity, resilience, and teamwork has been central to both my scientific and leadership growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received was to "stay curious and stay kind". Science can be unpredictable and challenging, but curiosity keeps me motivated to ask better questions, and kindness keeps collaboration strong. Over the years, I’ve learned that success in research isn’t just about brilliant ideas — it’s about the people who come together to make them real.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to trust your curiosity and your voice. Science advances when diverse perspectives are heard, so don’t hesitate to ask bold questions or share your ideas, even when the room feels intimidating. Seek mentors who both challenge and support you — and as you grow, become that mentor for someone else. Focus on learning deeply, communicating your value clearly, and remembering that confidence develops with experience. Most of all, stay connected to the joy of discovery — it’s what sustains you through the inevitable ups and downs of a scientific career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our field is translating complex biology into meaningful therapies. In neurodegenerative diseases especially, the underlying mechanisms are multifactorial — involving aging, metabolism, inflammation, and protein homeostasis — which makes target validation and clinical translation difficult. But that complexity is also our greatest opportunity. With advances in human iPSC models, single-cell omics, and AI-driven data integration, we now have unprecedented tools to understand disease heterogeneity and identify truly disease-relevant targets. The future lies in connecting these insights into rational, patient-tailored therapeutics.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, curiosity, and empathy. Integrity is at the core of good science — it means being honest with data, transparent in decisions, and accountable to the larger goal of improving human health. Curiosity keeps me motivated to learn and push boundaries, even when the answers aren’t obvious. And empathy is what connects everything — it allows me to lead with understanding, collaborate effectively, and build teams where people feel respected and inspired to do their best work.