Biophysical Society Bulletin | March 2024

Biophysicist in Profile

closely with my collaborator Richa Priyadarshini at Shiv Nadar University on an arsenic-resistant bacterium isolated in the fresh waters of India. We look at pathways and molecular mechanisms of how these bacteria tolerate arsenic and other heavy metals. Additionally, I have restarted working on ge nomes, especially on indigenous bovine genomes, to under stand their genetic makeup for climate resilience and disease resistance.” He also works on small projects with his under graduate students, led by the students’ interests. These side projects often end up being quite exciting and rewarding. “One of these side gigs was on the calcium-dependent conforma tional changes in the human transglutaminase 2,” Yennamalli says. “This was the work that I presented as a poster at the 2024 BPS Annual Meeting. As clichéd as it sounds, mento ring is the most rewarding aspect of this gig. As I work with undergraduate students, when I explain and teach certain higher abstract concepts, the moment the light bulb goes on brings a smile to my face. It also helps that they are young, and one can mold their minds and channel their energies into something tangible.” The biggest challenge thus far in his career has been finding community in science. “During my postdoc, I couldn’t find many postdocs who worked in the same department or in the same building. It made me go out of my way to find a postdoc colleague to discuss science with,” he shares. “Fortunately, there was a critical mass of postdocs at ISU and we ended up creating a postdoc association.” After becoming a faculty member, the same problem resurfaced and he realized how isolated being a principal investigator (PI) can make you feel. He struggled at first, before finding new ways to connect with his peers. “After a lonely period of three years, I found my people in the NewPI Slack and that changed my life for the better,” he says. “Now, I am blessed with colleagues in India with whom I can discuss science and we help each other out professionally. Finding other Indian PIs over X [formerly Twit ter] has been a life-changing experience.”

The Biophysical Society has been another source of connec tion for Yennamalli. “BPS is very inclusive and welcoming. Without question, the Annual Meetings are the best,” he says. “After every BPS meeting, I come back supercharged and bursting with ideas and thoughts that sustain me for a long time. I have benefited both personally and professionally from my membership in BPS. Personally, I made a lot of friends at BPS meetings; professionally I benefited when I started giving back by participating in committees.” His postdoc PI recom mended he get involved with the Society’s Public Affairs Com mittee. He tells us, “It was intimidating at the beginning but after a few meetings, I was at ease and started vocalizing my views. After two terms, I got involved with the Early Careers Committee. My two terms were so rewarding to me. These committees are special and highly useful.” Yennamalli spends much of his time teaching budding scientists, and the advice he shares with those just starting study and careers in biophysics is some that he was given by biophysicist Rajini Rao of the Johns Hopkins School of Medi cine. That advice includes: Prepare yourself at every step; be it classes, grants, or meetings, planning and preparing takes you far. Communicating what you think and what you want is key to getting people to listen to you. Find your support system and stick with them! Of course, family is the most important support, but next are your friends and colleagues. Do not compare yourself with others; compare you to yourself from the past; look at where you are now and how far you have come. Take calculated risks in science; challenge your self to learn new things and expect a fair amount of failure. It is a marathon and not a sprint; so, listen to your gut instinct and take breaks from the grind; you’ll need lots of energy and motivation to keep going.

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March 2024

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