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Student Spotlight: A Q&A with Siddharth Shivanandan, a Ph.D. Student in the Gerton Lab

"Everyone I work with actively thinks about my research question through a unique lens."

12 January 2026

What initially attracted you to the Stowers Graduate School, and why did you choose to apply here?

I was attracted to the vast amount of scientific resources that I could apply to my research questions. Many of these resources were built, sometimes even by other graduate students, putting the Stowers Graduate School at the very top of my list.

What unique aspects of the Stowers Graduate School program have had the biggest impact on your research and academic development?

The personal care and excitement to see me develop into the best scientist I can be has had the most impact. The Graduate School staff and professors with whom I interact genuinely care to see me grow to the best of my ability, and their excitement translates into my own motivation everyday.

How has the collaborative environment at the Stowers Institute helped shape your research experience so far?

For me, it is enthusiasm from my highly skilled collaborators at the Stowers Institute that positively shapes my research experience. Everyone I work with actively thinks about my research question through a unique lens. This makes the scale of what I can achieve and the questions that I can answer so much bigger.

Sid Shivanandan working in the lab with Ph.D. student Stefanie Williams.

Can you share a moment or experience that made you feel particularly proud or inspired during your time here?

I remember I was having a conversation with my PI Jennifer Gerton, Ph.D., for insight on a particular experiment we were troubleshooting, and I learned that we were the experts! Not many were asking the question I was pursuing, and nobody has yet made it to the finish line. That made me proud of how far I had come as an early-career researcher.

What do you believe sets the Stowers Graduate School apart from other graduate programs in terms of resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth?

The independence I have as a graduate student with ample resources to answer any question is what sets Stowers apart. I always know that I am supported, while being uniquely poised to ask a question and chase after it, here at the Stowers Institute.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering the Stowers Graduate School? What makes it a great fit for future researchers?

I think it is most important to know what you wish to achieve with a Ph.D. before jumping into graduate school. Then, the support and resources at the Stowers Institute will come together to help you bring your ideas to fruition.

How has the Stowers Graduate School supported your career goals, both in terms of your current research and your professional development?

The Stowers Graduate School is small, but in the best way. The school’s staff and the various scientists I interact with at the Institute know each student and their research personally. Therefore, the support I receive from the graduate school is molded to my specifications and what I set out to achieve during my time here.