Could you tell us about your journey to UCLA?
I am originally from a small town in north India. I did my undergraduate at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, which is in east India. After that I was looking to do a PhD, and UCLA offered a great opportunity.
Can you speak a little bit about your career and how it has progressed since graduating from UCLA?
After completing my PhD at UCLA, I went to the University of Texas at Austin to do a postdoc in cardiovascular biomechanics. As I was looking for permanent faculty positions beyond that, an opportunity in the UK attracted me here. I am fortunate to lead a very dynamic and diverse research group at the University of Glasgow working on exciting interdisciplinary problems in cardiovascular healthcare.
What do you think are the most important components of educating students to be culturally competent global citizens, no matter their major?
Working with people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, and respecting and learning from each other are some of the most important thing we learn in education. In addition, strong work ethic and determination to help others in their lives through our work are universal qualities that make us competent global citizens.