February 24, 2025
Exploring metabolism and mentorship: A chat with Anupama Hemalatha
We spoke to Anupama Hemalatha, FMI’s newest group leader, whose research explores how metabolic pathways regulate cell behavior using live imaging. She shared the origins of her passion for science, what drew her to the FMI, and why mentorship is so important to her.
How did your passion for science start?
I've always been fascinated by how things work. As a child, I eagerly read science and language books, though I had no scientific background in my family. My passion deepened during my zoology studies when I discovered Ernst Haeckel’s intricate illustrations of biological symmetry. Developmental biology hooked me further—I was amazed that a small set of molecules could give rise to a vast diversity of forms and functions.
What motivated you to join the FMI?
Several reasons—the core facilities, institutional support and the inspiring scientists. However, what convinced me was the interview process. The faculty challenged me intellectually, showing genuine interest in my work. At the time, my paper hadn’t been published yet, but the FMI offered me a tenure-track position based on the merit of my research rather than just its publication status.
What questions is your lab trying to answer?
Metabolism is more than just a basic survival function—it’s an active process that responds to the environment and signals from the body, helping cells grow and move. My lab studies how metabolism shapes cell behavior in living organisms.
During my postdoc, I found an interesting parallel between the processes that maintain skin homeostasis and those that shape the tissue during develoment. Using advanced microscopy to observe live animal skin over time, I discovered that metabolic changes are among the earliest responses to cancer-causing mutations. Now, I want to understand how these changes evolve as cancer develops.
Does this research have potential applications in cancer treatment?
Down the road, definitely. In my postdoc, we used a common drug to to alter the metabolic changes associated with cancer-causing mutations. This stopped abnormal skin growth, showing that metabolism plays a key role in determining whether cancer cells persist or are eliminated. By understanding these processes, we can learn more about how metabolism affects disease and how lifestyle factors such as diet might contribute to cancer prevention or progression.
What’s the best part of your work?
Experimentally, I love microscopy. Observing complex biological processes in a living organism is incredibly rewarding. I also enjoy when results challenge my expectations, reminding me that biology is often more intricate than our hypotheses.
Who inspired you in your career?
I can’t pinpoint just one person—many individuals have inspired me at different stages. I had teachers who went the extra mile to answer my questions. My PhD mentor’s resilience and my postdoc mentor’s dedication to mentorship have both profoundly influenced me. I’ve also been inspired by fellow postdocs and scientists who, despite setbacks, remained committed to bringing positive change in academic culture.
What's your mentoring style?
I believe that mentoring requires effort, time and planning. Like any experiment, it needs a protocol and regular assessments to ensure it’s working. I view mentorship as a fundamental part of scientific process— equipping young researchers to develop their unique approaches and perspectives, and pursue the questions that excite us as a team.
If you could chat over coffee with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
I’d love to ask Hilde Mangold about the thought process behind her famous organizer experiment and her experiences as a female scientist at the time. I’d also enjoy tea with Jane Austen—I think she’d be great company. But if I had the chance, I’d choose my father. He passed away when I was 18, and I wish he could see the person I’ve become.
What’s one thing that people couldn’t find out about you by looking at your CV?
I trained in Indian classical music as a child. While I haven’t pursued it seriously in years, music remains my passion. I’m also an avid reader — I love fantasy and science fiction genres, but cozy detective stories such as Sherlock Holmes are my go-to comfort reads.
Anupama Hemalatha completed her studies in India, earning her PhD at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, where she focused on cell and developmental biology. In August 2017, she moved to Yale’s Department of Genetics for a postdoctoral fellowship with Valentina Greco. She joined the FMI as a junior group leader in January 2025.
