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  4. Prajit Rajkumar

I Am a Researcher

Prajit Rajkumar profile picturePrajit Rajkumar

Major(s): Biology with a Specialization in Bioinformatics and Mathematics-Computer Science

College: Thurgood Marshall College

UC San Diego graduation year: 2027

Which research programs/experiences have you been a part of? 

What is your research about?

My research in Pieter Dorrestein's group at UCSD's Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences focuses on computational metabolomics, a field in which we use an instrument called a mass spectrometer to analyze the content of any unknown sample in order to quantify and characterize the molecules within that sample. My broad, long-term goal is to improve metabolomics methods to the point that they can be used to accelerate drug discovery and develop better medications. Following this goal, I've also worked on metabolomics research during the course of two internships at Enveda, a fast-growing biotech startup.

Why and how did you decide to get involved in undergraduate research?

I decided to get involved in undergraduate research at the start of my freshman year by joining Professor Dorrestein's group. I was really interested in biology during high school, but my experience was limited to theory only, so I decided to join a lab when I got to UCSD because I had always wanted to gain practical experience.

What has been the most exciting/interesting thing you've discovered through your research?

In a recent paper I worked on, our group leveraged metabolomics to uncover a novel mechanism through which ibuprofen, a commonly used drug, negatively affects muscle recovery (Charting the undiscovered metabolome with synthetic multiplexing implicates ibuprofen-carnitine in myotoxicity). I'm particularly excited about this because it shows how metabolomics can be used to help discover previously unknown effects of medications, which shows its potential value when applied to running clinical trials and developing new drugs efficiently.

What did you gain from this program/experience?

Working on the Goldwater Scholarship application was really useful to me in that it forced me to sit down and think about what exactly I'd like to do with the experience I've gained so far, in order for me to communicate this effectively. This year was my second time trying for the scholarship, and my writing definitely improved as a result of the work that I put into it over the past 2 years. 

What advice would you give to students starting research?

I'd say you'll need to focus on finding a strong mentor. I wouldn't have gotten to the point where I am without the support of so many talented scientists, and in particular, I'd like to mention Pieter Dorrestein, Nina Zhao, and Daniel-Domingo Fernandez, without whom I would not be where I am today. Find someone who is willing to give you the freedom to pursue research in directions that you believe are fruitful while providing the support that's necessary. 

What are your future plans?

I'm continuing to work on research, and this summer, I'll be working at Yunha Hwang's group at MIT.

If what I've described sounds interesting, feel free to check out my website for more of my research and/or reach out to me! Here's my website: praj.it