We need to have a patience and some time we need to struggle to achieve our right : Scientist Dr. Sahu
Sujit Kumar Jha, USA. Nepalese scientist from Madhesi community Dr. Indradev Sahu has been awarded 297,000 USD by the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States. This award has been conferred on him for investigating Structure and Dynamic Properties of the Potassium Channel Accessory Protein, KCNE3. Once he was afraid of wasting a year during his earlier college days. Finally he did what would be a moment of pride for every parent, friend, society and country. His thoughts and advice inspired us, so we asked him a few questions.
Could you please describe in brief about the research project awarded by NSF.
National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $ 297, 000.00 to study a biologically significant Potassium Channel Accessory Protein KCNE3. KCNE3 is a membrane spanning single transmembrane protein involved in modulating the function and trafficking of several voltage gated potassium channels, including KCNQ1. Mutation in KCNE3 leads to several health diseases including long QT syndrome (LQTS), cystic fibrosis and secretory diarrhea, periodic paralysis, and tinnitus. The proposed research addresses the urgent challenges of KCNE3 by focusing research on structural and dynamic properties of KCNE3 in a native like lipid bilayer membrane environment and the discovery of new structural biology approaches. The output of this research will provide a fundamental structure-function understanding of KCNE3. These studies will further shed a light on how disease-causing mutations disrupt the structure and dynamic properties of KCNE3.
Could you please let us know something about your childhood from your birth. In which village you were born? What was the economic situation and social environment of the house, what did father and mother do?
I born in the village Akwarpur, Mahadewa-2, Saptari. I completed my education from Bhagwatpur school (lower secondary) and Bathnaha school (secondary) nearby my village. My mother was housewife. My parents were not able to read/write. My father was died when I was six years old due to some health problem. I have two elder sisters. My childhood was very struggling. At that time it was very difficult for my mother to fulfill the financial need of my family. However, she managed to grow all of us. Although my mother was illiterate, she wanted me to get educated and always encouraged me to continue study and achieve highest level of education.
How was your school life And how were you a student in college?
I was very good student in the school and College. I used to get sympathy and encouragement, and help from my teachers to continue my studies. I completed my I. Sc. and B. Sc. from Rajbiraj Campus of Tribhuvan University majoring in Physics. I was very interested in how we can apply physics to study biological problems. I came to Kirtipur, Kathmandu to pursue my M. Sc. degree at Central Department of Physics. I completed my M. Sc. degree specialized in Biomedical Physics.
How did you come to USA ? And how was the initial struggle here?
I came to America as a PhD student in 2005. I completed my M.S. degree in Physics PhD degree in Biomedical Physics from State University of New York (SUNY), University at Albany, Albany, New York in 2009. I moved to Miami University, Oxford, Ohio to obtain my postdoctoral training in Dr. Gary Lorigan’s research group at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Further I continued my Research Scientist work at the Miami University to achieve more research experience in the field of Membrane Protein. I also worked as a Visiting teaching faculty at Miami University to obtain teaching experience. I joined Campbellsville University as an Assistant Professor at Campbellsville University in 2019. I am also working as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Miami University.
Describe any such incident in life that has left a deep impression on you.
During my B. Sc. study at Rajbiraj Multiple campus, we B.Sc. students wanted to study Physics as a Major in our third year. But, Tribhuvan University denied to give the permission to run the physics major program at the Campus at the middle of our academic year. So we were worried about the wastage of one year in our academic career. We all B. Sc. students decided to go on indefinite hunger strike in front of Campus Chief office. After three days of hunger strike, one of our friend got very sick due to hunger. Everybody requested him to withdraw the hunger strike but he was rigid on the goal and that event made authority to make quick decision and next day all of us got our admission in major physics program. This incident was left deep motivation in my life that we need to have a patience and some time we need to struggle to achieve our right.
If you have any other achievements in your life, tell it briefly.
I have received several awards/honors during my academic career. I have received outstanding student awards including cash amounts and silver medals during my I. Sc. and B. Sc. from Tribhuvan University Rajbiraj Campus. I also received outstanding student award (cash amount) during my M. Sc. thesis from Royal Nepal Academic Science and Technology (RONAST). During my PhD, I received Teaching Assistantship award from State University of New York ( SUNY) at Albany. I have also received International Biophysical Society (BPS) Bridging award 2020 (cash amount) for presenting my research work at BPS conference. I have received summer research award 2021 from Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS). I have published more than sixty research papers in scientific journals. I have published more than eighty research abstracts in different scientific conferences/meetings bulletin.
