Programs: Postgraduate, Agile education, Research: Cancer, Impactful research
This week is Resident Awareness week (also known as Resident Doctor Appreciation Week). To celebrate, we highlight some of the resident doctors from our programs in our Resident’s Q&A!
Today we feature Dr. Ruchika Gupta a PGY4 Resident in Medical Microbiology.
Why did you choose this residency?
My passion lies in Microbiology. The way microbiology impacts almost all inpatients, and the community at large is incomparable, and no other specialty can claim that spot. Now with the advent and boom of AI, the scope of microbiology shall expand further. These are exciting times to be a Microbiologist!
What’s the best part of being a lab medicine resident?
Being at the intersection of basic and translational science is exciting! We provide clinical consultations but can also develop new tests.
The COVID pandemic showed the world how microbiologists could design, develop and implement tests in no time. It was indeed the silver lining of the pandemic for me.
Why should someone do a residency in Laboratory Medicine?
Lab Medicine is a very enriching and fulfilling career. Whether it's impacting patient life, doing core research, or training the next generation of trainees, it provides all you can ask for and more. You also get to play with the latest tools/ technologies and that is so cool as well.
What do you do when you’re not in the lab?
I like gardening, it's become a passion of late. I am also currently writing scripts for a talk show/podcast that I am planning for the future, so keep an eye out!
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
I had published a book on Steffi Graf when I was in grade 6 and I still have my handwritten copy with me. The book was a biography on Steffi Graf and included chapters on her life and career. I ended up winning a national award for one of the poems in the book, which was a bonus.
