Hello, Vartika! Tell us about yourself!
Hi, I am Vartika Sharma, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology. I was raised in Banaras, India, a city rich in heritage, where my academic journey began. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. David Walker’s lab at UCLA, and I study the biology of aging. My work focuses on how age-related intestinal barrier dysfunction can drive neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, linking the gut and brain through molecular communication. From Banaras to UCLA, my journey has been driven by my interest in understanding cellular communication and the consequences of its breakdown.
Can you tell us a bit about your research and how you got into this field?
My research sits at the intersection of cell signaling, immunity, and aging biology. My research has been driven by one fundamental question: how do cells maintain harmony in complex biological systems, and what happens when that balance is lost?
During my Ph.D., I studied the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Deltex in regulating key pathways like Toll, JNK, Wingless, and Decapentaplegic (Dpp) in Drosophila. These pathways are crucial not just for development but also for immune responses and cellular stress management. In my postdoctoral work at UCLA, I have expanded this focus to aging, a process where cellular communication and tissue barriers progressively fail. I am currently investigating how age-onset intestinal barrier dysfunction leads to systemic inflammation and neuronal decline. My preliminary findings suggest that disruptions in gut integrity can trigger neuroinflammation and hallmarks of brain aging, offering new insights into the gut-brain axis.
My academic journey began at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). I joined BHU as a Bachelor’s student in Botany. After completing my undergraduate degree with a gold medal, I continued at BHU for my Master’s in Molecular and Human Genetics. I was supported by the DBT studentship awarded by the Government of India. During this time, I was also selected for the INSA Summer Research Fellowship, which allowed me to train under Prof. Sudha Bhattacharya at Jawaharlal Nehru University. That exposure to hands-on molecular biology and critical thinking sparked a lifelong commitment to research. I decided to work with Prof. Ashim Mukherjee for my PhD at BHU. Prof. Mukherjee’s mentorship played a significant role in shaping me as a scientist. I learnt the importance of not just experimental precision and conceptual rigor, but also resilience and intellectual curiosity; qualities essential for a career in science. My PhD years laid the foundation in cell signalling, which has become central to my research both as a graduate student and now as a post-doc.
The complexity of signaling networks, how a single molecule can have multiple roles depending on context, timing, and environment, attracted me to this field. Ultimately, my goal is to uncover therapeutic targets that could help delay or reverse age-related diseases.
Why did you choose this particular field of research?
What drew me to this field and has kept me here is the idea that life runs on communication. The constant exchange of information via cellular signals is how organisms grow, adapt, and make sense of the World around them. These cellular communications are extremely precise; one misread signal can transition health into disease or development into dysfunction.
This fragility and elegance captivated me, the idea that within these molecular exchanges lies the key to understanding development, immunity, and aging. In essence, I chose this field because it invites us to ponder not just how life functions, but why its intricate conversations matter, and how we might preserve them in the face of time.
What’s the one thing about science and research that excites you the most?
Discovery. Every experiment, every unexpected result, opens a door to new understanding. Science isn’t just about finding answers; it is about asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and approaching the unknown with curiosity and humility.
Francis Crick once said, “If you want to understand function, study structure; if you want to understand structure, study function.” This perfectly captures the elegance of biological research, how examining life’s fine details can illuminate its greater purpose.
For me, every small answer, every puzzle piece that fits, adds to the awe of how beautifully orchestrated living systems are. Beyond the thrill of discovery, I am inspired by the collaborative nature of science, a shared journey that continually expands the frontiers of knowledge.
As a post-doc right now, are there any tips that you’d want to let PhD graduates know?
Absolutely! One important thing I would say is that transitions can be challenging, but they offer immense growth. Moving from Banaras, where I had spent my entire life, to Los Angeles for my postdoc was a huge adjustment. It was not easy stepping into a completely new environment, culture, and scientific community. But if I can navigate that change and continue to thrive, anyone can. It is all about resilience and an open mindset.
Beyond that, I encourage Ph.D. graduates to use their postdoc years as a time to explore and define their scientific identity. Don’t be afraid to take intellectual risks, whether that is learning new techniques, diving into unfamiliar research areas, or building diverse collaborations. Growth often happens outside your comfort zone.
Seek mentors who care about your overall development, not just your research, and be patient and kind to yourself. Science has its ups and downs, but curiosity and persistence will carry you forward.
What do you do in your free time, or what is a fun fact that people do not know about you?
Outside the lab, the arts have been an important part of my life. I enjoy painting, writing blogs, and recording poetry. For me, science and art are not so different; they both ask us to look deeper and see the world with fresh perspectives.
While many people know about my scientific work, most don’t know that as a child, I dreamt of building a career in art. In fact, I cleared the NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) entrance exam after 12th grade and still keep the call letter safely tucked away in my memory box. Though fate led me to the fascinating world of cellular biology, I am grateful for where I am today, talking to cells and uncovering life’s secrets. I believe that sometimes, unfulfilled dreams are the ones that keep our creative spirit alive. As Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
—
You can connect with Vartika here.
