Hi! I’m Ananth Kumar, a scientist turned entrepreneur and writer. I believe science doesn’t belong within academic labs or journals but it belongs in the real world, solving real problems for real people. This has motivated me to pursue a journey that spans academic research, deep-tech ventures, public policy, and the push for ideas that challenge convention and create meaningful change.

My Background

I did my PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular biology in Cambridge, UK (as a GATES Cambridge scholar). Using biochemistry and structural biology approaches, my colleagues and I visualized the architecture of the eukaryotic mRNA 3′ end processing machinery, providing several new insights into gene expression regulation.

Image: A cDNA microarray reflecting the gene expression differences between two different tissues (The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Visuals Online)

After my PhD, I was a Human Frontier Science Program long-term fellow at Yale University, studying the structure and function of long non-coding RNAs involved in chromosome stability maintenance. I undertook an ambitious project to visualize three-dimensional structures within long non-coding RNAs.

Image: Chromosomes visualized by spectral karyotyping (SKY) reveal an enormous degree of chromosomal instability — a hallmark of cancer. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Visuals Online

Transition to Industry

I currently work at a big pharma in Cambridge, UK studying nucleic acid machines in cells. I am enthusiastic about learning new technologies and currently excited about nucleic acid therapeutics and its potential. I am exploring building a deep tech start up with the SYNC1.0 program at the Founders of the University of Cambridge, UK.

Beyond Science & Entrepreneurship

Outside of the lab, I enjoy thinking and writing about public policy issues, bird watching, playing cricket, practicing Japanese sword fighting (Kendo) and writing short stories.

Image: In the midst of a kendo session at Shiroyama Kendo Dojo, Nagoya-shi, Japan.