Manjira Ghosh Kumar

Although I am grateful to the many well-wishers who have supported me throughout my life, I ultimately attribute my success to my own determination to overcome challenges, both personal and professional. I never tolerated insults or disrespect and remained true to myself. This determination allows me to continue moving forward, even when the path ahead was uncertain. Looking back, my journey has been shaped by resilience and faith in myself. To me, growth means continuing to walk alone through complete darkness, trusting that dawn will eventually return.

The best career advice I received came from my mother, who never had the opportunity to attend college but has always been my greatest supporter. During my childhood, she told me that unlike other fields one might pursue, such as dance, drama, or music, an academic scholar in sciences is respected everywhere. Even today, I feel that I'm still striving to become the scholar she once imagined.

Many of my students begin pursuing biomedical sciences without fully understanding how demanding this field can be. As a result, the dropout rate is high. The field can be unforgiving, especially for young women. Bench research requires intelligence, but more importantly, it requires discipline and perseverance over many years just to reach a modest milestone. For women who still carry the greater share of household responsibilities and family care, these paths can be particularly challenging or even nearly impossible. This is what I often say to my most dedicated students: Do not be afraid to jump into a deep ocean and keep swimming. You will find yourself transformed when you finally reach the shore. I tell my students the truth - that the dropout is very high. If we start with 20 students, ultimately only 3 to 5 students survive and graduate. When these students graduate, they are passionate about moving forward into professional or graduate schools.

I am fascinated by the fact that we still know so little about the complex interplay among nature, the universe, and life itself. New discoveries in science continue to reveal even greater layers of complexity every day. Moreover, I look forward to a future in which a more holistic approach to health may help us better understand and treat many chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, depression, hypertension, and others. As our understanding evolves, medical education may look very different in the future. That is the biggest opportunity, or a complete industry change that I'm looking forward to - medicine moves beyond treating illness to prioritizing overall well-being.

I have never changed myself to fit into a table where I did not belong. I value authenticity, independence, integrity, and open communication. I strive to cultivate these qualities myself and encourage them in others. I also emphasize a growth mindset, helping others, and the importance of pursuing long-term goals. Although I have been honored with many recognition throughout my life, the ones I value most are the quiet, personal affirmations: seeing my 18-year-old son and my students venture out into the world and succeed on their own. This, more than anything, reminds me that perseverance, authenticity, and dedication can leave a lasting impact.