Sagar Dubey, a passionate young scientist who is, in his own words, "on the quest for a diplomatic immune system and a viral zest for life", has embarked on his PhD journey at JCSMR.

In the next three years, Sagar will focus on innate immunity against infectious diseases with a particular emphasis on antimicrobial proteins.

What is your role at JCSMR?

I am a PhD student at the Inflammasomes Lab, Si Ming Man Group, Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease.
 

What do you like the most about your role?

I like the liberty that I have in implementing my thoughts in their purest form in investigating new avenues. I consider it as a privilege which everyone doesn't have.
 

What is your favourite thing to do when you're not working?

I enjoy a diverse range of interests that span music, sports, and reading. I have a particular fondness for classical old-world melodies and can often be found humming them. When I have the chance, I like to indulge in playing the piano as well. On the sports front, I am a state-level rifle shooter, but I also find myself drawn to badminton and enjoy a game from time to time. As for reading, I have a broad range of interests and enjoy delving into topics that cover everything from health to spirituality.
 

What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?

From dreaming about becoming an astronaut in 4th grade to pursuing a career in medical research, my journey has been nothing short of exciting. From a young age, I had a keen interest in the field of science and a fascination with space. In fourth grade, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, but my perception of what it meant to be a scientist gradually evolved over time. As I learned more about biology and medical research, I became increasingly drawn to the potential of these fields to make a difference in people's lives.

However, it was a personal experience that served as a turning point in my life. Watching my aunt battle breast cancer ignited a passion within me to contribute towards therapeutic and translational research. And so, I embarked on a roller coaster journey, earning a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and a Master's degree in Virology from India's National Institute. And now Here I am, as a Doctoral researcher in the field of Infectious Disease Immunology at JCSMR!
 

What are your greatest interests?

Professionally, my passion lies in the field of biomedical research, where I am particularly interested in the engineering of immune cells and proteins to combat infectious and auto-inflammatory diseases, as well as cancer.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I am deeply intrigued by the mysteries of human consciousness and have a strong interest in exploring the concepts of the afterlife and reincarnation and I enjoy reading extensively on these subjects. I hope to delve deeper into this area in the near future and expand my understanding of this fascinating topic.
 

What is your definition of a scientist?

My definition of a scientist is the one who takes risks with their approaches in research and delves into newer and unknown aspects for a bigger motive - the benefit of mankind.
 

If you could instantly become an expert in another field, what field would you choose?

I would like to become a detective at RAW, the foreign intelligence agency of India, still investigating something but on a different note :)
 

Where do you hope to be five years from now?

I hope to have established myself as an emerging researcher in the field of Infectious Disease Immunology and marching ahead on the path of establishing my independent research group.
 

What's a book you'd recommend?

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho has been an unwavering source of inspiration for me, providing the motivation and drive I need to overcome the obstacles and challenges that come my way. Even today, the lessons and wisdom contained within its pages continue to ignite my imagination and fuel my desire to pursue my dreams.
 

What brings you the most joy in life?

For me, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a smile light up someone's face when I am able to help them. Whether it's through small acts of kindness or larger gestures of support, the joy that comes from seeing someone else happy is a feeling that I always look forward to experiencing.
 

Do you have a motto by which you live? What is it?

I live by my quote "Enough is never good enough" and my motto is inspired by the same quote. My motto is to apply it to whatever I do, pursue or look into.
 

What is one more thing you would like to share about yourself?

Alas, I suffer from OCD and OCPD. Although, these conditions have caused troubles before, including depressive symptoms, now I appear to be in control of these. There are a lot of positive aspects too that have emerged from them and now I have started to delineate how these conditions can benefit individuals. Haha, another investigation!