Rutuja Borawke
Rutuja B. (she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she has been pursuing doctoral training since 2023. She is also enrolled in the Basic & Translational Science program through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology. Her academic foundation spans neuroscience, molecular biology, and translational biomedical sciences, with a consistent focus on understanding disease mechanisms through both experimental and interdisciplinary approaches. Over the course of her training, she has developed strong expertise in laboratory-based research methods and translational frameworks aimed at connecting mechanistic discoveries to clinically relevant outcomes. Her current research as a graduate research assistant is centered on the role of estrogen in memory regulation and its implications in Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology. She investigates the neuroprotective properties of estrogen and how hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen during the post-menopausal period, may contribute to increased vulnerability to Alzheimer’s-like neurodegeneration in women. A central goal of her work is to identify critical windows for therapeutic intervention, including the potential timing and efficacy of hormone replacement therapies for individuals at elevated risk. Through this work, she aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of sex-specific mechanisms in neurodegenerative disease and to support the development of targeted, preventive treatment strategies. In addition to her academic and research commitments, Rutuja is deeply engaged in community outreach, advocacy, and mentorship. She serves as a community representative for the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter and actively participates in initiatives such as the Suicide Prevention Council, the Health Literacy Committee, and the Anti-Racism Committee at the Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her outreach work involves engaging with schools, community events, and public health initiatives to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, mental health, and suicide prevention, particularly in underserved and disproportionately affected populations. Alongside these efforts, she is committed to mentorship and academic guidance, supporting undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate studies and Ph.D. programs in the United States, with an emphasis on fostering accessibility, scientific curiosity, and long-term career development in biomedical research.
• Secondary School Certificate
• Training in Biotechnology techniques
• Training in Bioprocess technology
• CRISPR
• Molecular Docking
• Bacterial Genomes I: From DNA to Protein Function Using Bioinformatics
• COVID-19: Helping Young People Manage Low Mood and Depression
• Introduction to Psychology: The History and Science of Psychology
• Online Poster Presentation: Food for thought
• COVID-19 : Remdesivir and Anti-Virals
• Bilateral Indo-US Webinar on Covid-19 Biology
• Covid-19 : RT-PCR Diagnostics and Therapeutics
• Coronavirus Disease 19
• Maharashtra Education Society's Garware College of Commerce, Karve Road, Pune-411004 - BS, Biotechnology
• Maharashtra Education Society's Abasaheb Garware College of Arts and Science, Pune 04 - MS, Biotechnology
• Full Scholarship to attend Alzheimer's Association Conference in Wisconsin
• Astronaut Training Experience at NASA Kennedy Space Center
• Mentor
• IAS SRFP 2021
• 2nd prize at National Level Competition of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic
• Alzheimer's Association of Wisconsin (Community Representative)
• Suicide Prevention Council at Medical College of Wisconsin
• Health Literacy Committee for Saturday Clinic for Uninsured
• Anti-Racism Committee for Saturday Clinic for Uninsured
• Student Healthcare Initiative for Pathway Programs by MCW
• International Youth Neuroscience Association
• BioXone Biosciences
• Community outreach to schools and events for mental health and suicide prevention awareness
• Alzheimer's and dementia awareness in disproportionately affected communities
• Saturday Clinic for Uninsured
• Mentoring undergraduate students on PhD applications and international student experience
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity. It's hard to tell because I really don't have one role model - there are so many people that I look up to. But what really drives me is curiosity in general. I'm curious about so many things in this world, and that really puts me out there saying, oh, what if I do that? What are the answers that I can get from this? Just knowing about nature, evolution, universe, galaxies - I'm a fan of that. So just curiosity is my driver. It's what motivates me to explore and ask questions about everything around me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is just putting myself out in the world and not holding myself back. You know, it's like- Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. The worst thing that would happen is a no or a rejection. But every rejection is going to get you closer to an acceptance. So I just do what comes in my way, or even make my own opportunities. I don't let fear of rejection stop me from trying.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One thing I would say, especially with how the job market is going to be, is don't lose hope and don't be afraid of rejections. Keep applying, or keep struggling, This is is a competitive world. Unless you are motivated or even dedicated to your work, I think the perseverance will take you far, take you places. Don't be afraid to fail. The key is to stay persistent and not let the challenges discourage you from pursuing your goals.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge for me as an international student is that there are very limited grants and funding for non-US citizens in academic research. I really have to look for those scholarships or those aids to fulfill my requirements. There are also fewer opportunities for non-US citizens in general. But I am trying to connect with people, collaborate, and spread across the US through different networks by going to conferences. I've been to Minneapolis and New Mexico lately, just getting to know more people and building more references in this area, which could also be helpful apart from grants and fundings. Networking and building connections is key to overcoming these challenges.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are being honest and kind. That could be for yourself, towards other people at the workplace, or even in the community. That's what I always wake up with - one thought is that I'm going to be kind to myself and people around me. And that's what gets me going. You see, I do a lot of community engagement just to see that little smile on somebody's face or giving that kindness back to the community. It's a gift I give them, and it's what drives my living every day.