Recently, the team from ANU College of Systems and Society interviewed ANU PhD student Vijay Bhoopalan to discuss his research and highlight his recent nomination for the 2025 CHARM Rising Star Awards. Vijay was one of four ANU emerging researchers to be recognised and celebrated for their outstanding early-career impact in health research and innovation in the ACT. 

Read more about the ANU CHARM 2025 finalist researchers here.

Vijay was kind enough to share insights into his career and research. 

Q1) Can you tell us about your journey into health research? What first sparked your interest?

My journey into health research was first inspired by a high school lecture on the potential of stem cells to help us understand—and/or possibly even cure—cancer. Delivered by a spirited young lecturer from a prestigious university in India, the talk left a lasting impression and ultimately led me to choose biotechnology over medicine. While studying biotechnology at the Australian National University, I became particularly drawn to the work of the Gardiner group at the JCSMR for their efforts in addressing clinical challenges related to platelet function and production.

What truly solidified my interest was observing the clinical implications of platelet-related disorders and the intricate regulation of blood cell development. This fascination guided me toward a master’s project and, subsequently, a PhD in bone marrow platelet production.

Q2) Can you explain your research in simple terms – how would you describe it to someone outside the field?

Our blood contains many types of cells—red cells that carry oxygen, white cells that fight infections, and platelets that help stop bleeding. All of these cells start off as stem cells in the bone marrow. My research focuses on how these stem cells develop into platelet-producing cells called megakaryocytes.

We’re trying to find new ways to boost platelet production, especially for people who have low platelet counts due to diseases or cancer treatments. Platelet disorders can be life-threatening, and treatment options remain limited. By uncovering alternate mechanisms that control platelet production, my research could eventually pave the way for innovative therapies to treat thrombocytopenia (low peripheral platelet counts). 
 

Q3) What motivates or excites you most about your work? How do you hope your work will make a difference?

What excites me most is the potential for translation, turning fundamental discoveries into therapies that benefit patients. While I understand that this is a long journey, and I may not see the full outcomes of my work immediately, the idea that I could contribute, even in a small way, to improving human health is incredibly motivating.

Q4) Looking back, is there a piece of advice you received in your career that’s really stuck with you?

There are two pieces of advice that have stuck with me. Early on, a mentor told me that while there is a well-trodden path to success in research, the most rewarding journeys often lie in exploring less-travelled.  The second piece of advice that has guided me is: “Let the data guide you, not your expectations.” Initially months in research, I often found myself hoping for specific results and forming assumptions before seeing any actual data. Learning to interpret results objectively—without trying to make them fit a preconceived hypothesis—has helped me become a more rigorous and open-minded researcher. In fact, some of the most interesting discoveries arise from the unexpected.

Q5) What advice would you give to other developing Canberra health researchers?

Canberra offers incredible opportunities for collaboration, and one piece of advice I would give—especially as someone who isn’t naturally extroverted—is to not hesitate to reach out to others. Even if you tend to keep to yourself, initiating conversations with potential collaborators can lead to surprisingly fruitful outcomes. In my experience, every time I stepped out of my comfort zone to connect with someone, those interactions sparked new ideas or opened doors to meaningful collaborations. Often, it’s through these exchanges that innovative research begins