“Manisha is an outstanding scientist and mentor to junior lab mates. She has made significant advances in her main project was well as provided invaluable effort to provide important compounds to initiate work toward preliminary data with a couple new collaborative research projects on campus.” -Robert J. Kerns, professor

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Faculty mentor/advisor:  Robert J. Kerns, PhD, professor, pharmaceutical sciences and experimental therapeutics, College of Phamacy

What is your degree program and anticipated graduation date? Postdoctoral research scholar

Please describe your research: I design and synthesize lead molecules as a possible therapeutic approach to treat metabolic syndrome and associated conditions like diabetes and obesity. I am making structural changes to already established drugs to improve solubility and oral bioavailability to increase their medicinal properties.

In simple terms, why does this research matter? It focuses on improving medicinal properties of already studied potential drug candidates against diabetes and obesity.

How soon after starting at the University of Iowa were you able to participate in research? From the very next week.

How has being involved in research made you more successful at the University of Iowa? It has made me feel more confident as a researcher as I could see the direct application of my products. Research constantly motivates me to stretch my limits and produce desirable results.

What are your career goals and/or plans after graduation? I plan to stay in academics and publish quality research articles and collaborate with other universities to make a team of researchers working on similar goals.

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