Meet up‐and‐coming analytical scientists – Bharath Kumar Raghuraman

Analytical sciences are among the most dynamically developing fields and have been inherently integrated into many various scientific disciplines. At same time, early career researchers (ECRs) those whose contribution to this dynamic growth cannot be simply overestimated. Hence, in special issue “From one Early Career Researcher next”, we presenting a series of editorials with Q&A from five emerging scientists different analytical including omics, environmental, data sciences. Importantly, all our guests boast not only excellence high-quality research but also substantial international experience gained during their Ph.D. or postdoctoral training. For editorial, Dr. Bharath Kumar Raghuraman. Raghuraman comes Chennai, coastal city Southern part India. He received his Bachelor Technology degree Anna University, Chennai Biotechnology Master Science Life Delft University Technology, The Netherlands. then pursued doctoral studies lab Andrej Shevchenko at Max Planck Institute Molecular Cell Biology Genetics Germany, where he developed mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics approaches quantify molar concentrations metabolic enzymes Caenorhabditis elegans understand how they act as rheostats development. Currently, is working Project scientist/Industrial Postdoc between Evosep Biosystems which manufactures liquid chromatography (LC) systems, Odense Hospital Denmark clinical assays. I did my Bachelor's My bachelor's was an interesting amalgamation basic engineering concepts biology, giving holistic introduction subjects. went technology Netherlands pursue Master's life science technology. specialized something called ‘Cell Factory’ included molecular biology engineerings like genetic engineering, industrial microbiology, systems biology. During master's got MS decided methods for MS-based quantitative answer biological questions. work postdoc jointly company Evosep, provides LC solutions, LC-MS-based targeted As innovation fund project, am currently high-throughput fully automated SRM assay quantification glycated albumin diabetes diagnosis using high throughput standardized collaboration involved other method development efforts push boundaries proteomics. introduced bachelor's. still vividly remember first TLC plate, told resolve amino acids, curious excited do experiment. master's, enrolled course, love sight. thesis mentors Peter Verhaert Martijn Pinkse me that caught ‘Mass virus’ walked them right after lecture asked if can on thesis. started when team representing university genetically engineered machines. We E. coli express antimicrobial peptides used verify whether were successfully expressed. continued instrumental top-down analyze human aqueous humour donor eyes established recommendations assessing quality cornea increase success transplantation. In worked closely Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS). Without doubt research. Since mentor strong proponent reporting absolute quantities instead fold changes, focused quantifying amounts roundworm, C. Elegans model system. trajectory project fed creativity, helped us interpret mere numbers efficiently use predict outcomes. This journey led develop global proteome ‘Median based quantification’ sample agnostic protein standard internal calibrant would give 1000's proteins go. 4 years grow personally professionally, so it will always closer heart. After Ph.D., wanted take traditional route post-doctoral training academic environment. prime motivation hone skills omics new workflows. So, criteria screen positions that's ended up getting unique opportunity hospital actionable clinically relevant moved out India 2012 Master's, adapted very well European culture way living. work-life balance any Scandinavian country matter given importance witnessing firsthand indeed itself. A 37.5-h week flexible hours provide sufficient time hobbies travel. career, lucky great who supportive gave critical input better thinker. best advice had “pursue your passion no what stand yourself”. worst acquaintances said, jobless doesn't hold future. Some even extent saying, difficult family settle down. look beyond academia without compromising much interests. pandemic though negatively impacted world, much-needed boost attention pushed pharmaceutical companies establish strengthen team. short, ‘You conduct cutting-edge outside academia, open mind’. trained Indian classical musician learning western music so, sing occasional jam sessions jazz teacher. cooking gardening both quite therapeutic me. interested specialty coffee exploring shops cities plan myself sometime. Hmm… That's tough but, choose be: (1) (Late) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President India; (2) Jordon Peterson, psychologist; (3) J.K. Rowling, author. All these personalities shape views aspects one-on-one masterclass over dinner. author declares has conflict interest.