Our May MCDB Alumni Spotlight is highlighting Dr. Sanjana Rajan! Dr. Rajan is a Senior Computational Scientist in Immunology R&D Discovery at Johnson & Johnson. She graduated from MCDB in 2021.

We asked Dr. Rajan some questions about her experience as an MCDB student, as well as her career since graduating from the program.

• Can you briefly describe your current role and the path that led you there after graduating from the MCDB program?

  • I’m currently a Senior Computational Scientist in Immunology R&D Discovery at Johnson & Johnson. In simple terms, I use data—especially large human and preclinical datasets—to help answer hard biological questions that guide how new therapies are developed for autoimmune diseases. I work on things like identifying promising drug targets, understanding how they work, figuring out which patients might benefit most, and thinking through combination therapy strategies.

    During my PhD in Dr. Ryan Roberts’ lab, I worked heavily with genomic and single‑cell data at a time when these approaches were still pretty new in our group. There wasn’t a pre‑existing playbook, so I had a lot of ownership over building analysis workflows and figuring out how to extract biological meaning from very complex datasets. Along the way, I realized that I genuinely loved that process—and that skillset ended up being exactly what helped me transition directly from graduate school into an industry scientist role.

• Looking back, what part of the program best prepared you for your current role?

  • MCDB prepared me in more ways than I fully appreciated at the time. The writing and presentation training really sharpened how I think about problems and how I communicate ideas—skills I use every single day now. The many chances to present my work, whether through seminars, competitions, or interdisciplinary talks, helped me learn how to explain complex science clearly and confidently to different audiences.

    Equally important were the mentors and relationships I built through the program. Those conversations—about science, careers, and life after grad school—played a direct role in helping me find my path and land my first role.

• What is one memorable or favorite moment from your time at OSU or in the MCDB program?
  • There are honestly so many. I loved participating in the Three‑Minute Thesis competitions, and I also really cherished the sense of community within MCDB—things like lab outings, the MCDB Halloween gatherings, and coming together for seminar series. Some of my favorite memories are simply spending time with my fellow MCDB students outside the lab, reconnecting during seminars, and remembering that we were all in this together.
• If you could go back to your first year in MCDB, what would you tell yourself?
  • I would tell myself that it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. Growth comes from trying things, making mistakes, and taking ownership, even when it feels uncomfortable. I’d also remind myself to ask questions sooner, seek feedback more often, and not underestimate how valuable the relationships you build during grad school will become later.
• Are there any specific accomplishments since graduating that you’d like to highlight?
  • One thing I’m most proud of is building a career where I get to own projects end‑to‑end—from defining the scientific question, to designing analyses and studies, to helping influence real decisions about which therapies move forward. Being able to see a clear line from my training in MCDB to the impact I have now has been incredibly rewarding.
• Outside of work, what’s something fun or interesting you’ve done recently?
  • I recently became a parent, and one of the highlights of the past year was traveling to Hawaii with my baby daughter when she was four months old. Spending that time together as a family—and doing it somewhere so beautiful—was special.
• Is there anywhere online where students can learn more about your work or connect with you?
  • Students are welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to chat with current MCDB students about careers in computational biology, industry science, or navigating the transition after graduate school.