My Story

Sahana Kumar grew up in Bangalore, Karnataka, a city she continues to feel deeply connected to. She completed her Bachelor's degree at Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, and went on to pursue a Master of Engineering in Biotechnology from BITS Pilani, Rajasthan, where she discovered a strong interest in immunology. To explore the biotech industry, she interned at Eli Lilly as an Analyst, gaining valuable hands-on experience before choosing to return to academia. She is currently a PhD student in the Immunoengineering Lab at the Department of Bioengineering, where her research focuses on the intersection between immunology and diabetes. Outside the lab, Sahana is passionate about music—she enjoys singing and playing the guitar—and is an avid gamer, particularly drawn to competitive FPS games that demand focus, reflexes, and strategy. She also enjoys playing basketball and badminton in her free time.