How I found my research: Aditya Kotha is exploring if some medications can be repurposed to treat other ailments

By Tom Gresham

Aditya Kotha is a senior majoring in biology and psychology in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences. Kotha, a member of the VCU Honors College, has worked with John Ryan, Ph.D., a biology professor and associate vice provost for research development, in the Ryan Immunology Lab since he was in high school.

In the lab, Kotha's research focuses on discovering alternative and affordable treatments for inflammatory immune disorders, such as asthma. Kotha earned a 2024 Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national scholarship that encourages students to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Kotha is one of 18 VCU undergraduate researchers to earn Goldwater Scholarships since 2006.

Kotha spoke to VCU News about the process of becoming a researcher and his advice for undergraduates interested in following in his footsteps.

In two sentences, tell us the focus of your research ... and why it is important/impactful for all of us.

The research I am doing in the Ryan Immunology Lab here at VCU focuses on repurposing FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of allergic diseases. I am currently researching how statins, a class of drugs that reduce cholesterol synthesis, and related drugs have the potential to reduce allergic inflammation.

What inspired you to pursue this line of research?

I have always had an interest in both medical research and patient care. This line of research allows me to combine both of these interests into one project. The experiments I perform ultimately provide us with more insights into the drugs that are being used in the clinic and help us determine if they have potential to treat a wider breadth of illnesses. The drugs we are researching can be repurposed to help treat patients who may not be able to afford expensive first-line treatments that have various adverse side effects. I am motivated to continue my research in this space to help improve and advance patient care.

Tell us about a surprise in your research journey.

When I joined the Ryan Immunology Lab, I was immediately surprised by the wealth of knowledge present within the research space. It is nearly impossible to know everything in any given field, and I quickly realized that this is not atypical and that it is the norm. It is OK not to know everything. Research and medicine are two disciplines that require life-long learning. We are consistently reading the literature and looking for newly published data to learn more about our field of study and discover any new information that may connect with our research goals. Although it is OK to not know everything, it is important to proactively learn novel pieces of information every single day to stay up to date within the fields of research and medicine.

Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you had to overcome in your work.

Achieving good time management was a challenge I needed to overcome. As an undergraduate student who was working in a research lab while taking classes and engaging with other extracurricular activities, I initially found it difficult to plan how much time I needed to dedicate to each of my commitments. I soon realized I needed to prioritize a few of my activities and plan the others around these core commitments.

Is there a memorable partnership or lesson you've embraced along the way?

My relationship with my research mentor John Ryan has been my most memorable partnership. Dr. Ryan provides me with both guidance and advice not just regarding my experiments but also about my future career. I have had many conversations with Dr. Ryan regarding making research a component of my future career and how I could engage in research while pursuing patient care. He has served as a research mentor, career mentor and life mentor for me, and I am forever grateful for his experiential advice.

What do you find fulfilling about the research process?

I find the exploration involved in the research process fulfilling. Research is a form of organized exploration we embark on to help explain things that are unknown to us. It is inspiring to know that the research I am helping to perform is unique and not necessarily being performed anywhere else in the world. I am part of the team who is the first to uncover new findings about the world around us.

What advice would you offer undergrads to kick-start their own research journeys?

My advice to undergrads who are interested in getting involved with research is to start early. When the semester begins and courses become busy, it may become difficult to accommodate large amounts of time to be part of a research lab. If an undergrad joins a research lab early, they will be able to better understand the amount of time they need to commit to their research throughout the semester. Therefore, it will be easier to manage one's time more effectively and focus on coursework while also dedicating time to their research.

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