July 18, 2007

What is your hometown?

New Delhi, India

When did you join the UI faculty?

December 2005

How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?

My father guided me into medicine. My grandfather and great grandfather were physicians. My father was in medical school in 1947, but could not complete due to country partition, so he wanted me to continue the family tradition.

What interested you to pursue a career in radiation oncology?

While working in tumor immunology research, I developed a passion for oncology. My mentor Dr. George Weiner introduced me to the field of radiation oncology. I subsequently trained in radiation oncology.

Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?

Not one, but many from my childhood until now. Many able teachers have guided me and continue to do so.

How or why did you choose the UI?

My wife was offered a position at UI in 1992. On her visit here, she fell in love with Iowa, so she wanted the family to move here. I was completing my PhD in Immunology, so the timing was perfect.

What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages does being a faculty member at Iowa provide?

What about challenges?

UIHC is a close knit family with very open collaboration between departments. Having trained here in research and residency has been advantageous for knowing many people and collaborating with them. Here, we continue to do the best for our patients by using innovative, cutting edge technology.

Please describe your professional interests

. Professionally, I am interested in making radiation safer and more effective for patients. I am especially interested in brachytherapy (internal radiation) to directly target the tumor.

What are some of your outside interests?

Hiking, traveling, and spiritual get-togethers.

Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?

Each day is a learning experience and collectively we learn from each other’s experience.

If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?

I would like to eliminate cancer.

What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?

Radiation Oncology is a technology driven field and we’ve made good progress to precisely focus on the target and can even direct our beams on moving targets.

What one piece of advice you would give to today's students?

To focus on the patient as a whole and not just the disease.

What do you see as "the future" of medicine?

We have come a long way but still have a long way to go. We should continue our efforts and we will be ale to overcome most of the deadly diseases.

In what ways are you engaged with the greater Iowa public (i.e. population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/expertise with organizations or causes, speaking engagements off campus, etc.)?

In my interaction with the general public, whenever and wherever possible, I emphasize the role of health education and preventive medicine.