Ramalakshmi Darbha


	Ramalakshmi Darbha lakshmi@ncifcrf.gov Ph.D.: University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India. M.Sc.: University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India. I came to the United States from India in April 2001, to join the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Frederick, Maryland as a Postdoctoral fellow. My supervisor is Dr. Xinhua Ji, Chief of the Bio-molecular Structure Section of the Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory. My academic degrees were received in India include a Masters in Chemistry followed by PhD in Chemistry, with a specialty in Crystallography. After the PhD, I worked as a research fellow for about a year at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad, India—specialization, Medicinal Chemistry. After coming to NCI, I have been working in the field of Structural Biology. I have found the transformation from Chemist to Structural biologist, a smooth one, thanks to my mentor cum supervisor and the excellent infra structural facilities at the NIH. I got associated with the Fellows and Young Investigators’ Association at the Center of Cancer Research (CCR-FYI). Working with the CCR-FYI group helped me in learning, utilizing organizational and people skills. Apart from FYI, I became a member of the NIH Fellows Editorial Board (FEB). Working at FEB improves my editing skills besides helping out the authors with their manuscripts. In my spare time, I am involved along with my husband Mr. Vasu Tanikella, in community and cultural activities. Our latest interest involves taking care of our lovely twins, Manasi and Mihir. I am very happy for my research experience at the National Cancer Institute and NIH and highly recommend it to anybody who would like to pursue research career seriously. I appreciate the efforts made by NIH-India founding members and thank them for giving an opportunity to express through their website.

Ramalakshmi Darbha

Ph.D.: University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.

M.Sc.: University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.

I came to the United States from India in April 2001, to join the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Frederick, Maryland as a Postdoctoral fellow. My supervisor is Dr. Xinhua Ji, Chief of the Bio-molecular Structure Section of the Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory. My academic degrees were received in India include a Masters in Chemistry followed by PhD in Chemistry, with a specialty in Crystallography. After the PhD, I worked as a research fellow for about a year at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad, India—specialization, Medicinal Chemistry. After coming to NCI, I have been working in the field of Structural Biology. I have found the transformation from Chemist to Structural biologist, a smooth one, thanks to my mentor cum supervisor and the excellent infra structural facilities at the NIH.

I got associated with the Fellows and Young Investigators’ Association at the Center of Cancer Research (CCR-FYI). Working with the CCR-FYI group helped me in learning, utilizing organizational and people skills. Apart from FYI, I became a member of the NIH Fellows Editorial Board (FEB). Working at FEB improves my editing skills besides helping out the authors with their manuscripts.

In my spare time, I am involved along with my husband Mr. Vasu Tanikella, in community and cultural activities. Our latest interest involves taking care of our lovely twins, Manasi and Mihir.

I am very happy for my research experience at the National Cancer Institute and NIH and highly recommend it to anybody who would like to pursue research career seriously. I appreciate the efforts made by NIH-India founding members and thank them for giving an opportunity to express through their website.