Mousumi Bhattacharjee, PhD

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Leadership is about enabling others to succeed, not simply directing them. Effective leaders listen, communicate clearly, and create an environment where team members feel supported and empowered to contribute their best work. I’ve found that building trust, understanding individual strengths, and leading by example are often more impactful than authority alone. When people feel valued and aligned with a common goal, teams become more collaborative, resilient, and successful.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

My most important career achievement has been building an independent research path in cancer biology and contributing to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer progression. During my PhD, I developed expertise in cancer nanotherapeutics and miRNA-mediated regulation in breast cancer. As a postdoctoral researcher, I expanded my work into molecular cancer biology, focusing on CPAP/CENPJ, EGFR trafficking, DNA damage response, and tumor suppression in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A particularly meaningful milestone has been developing a research direction that connects fundamental cellular mechanisms with cancer biology and translating these findings across in vitro, organoid, and animal models. This experience has strengthened my scientific independence, critical thinking, and ability to lead complex research projects. More importantly, it has motivated me to continue developing as a scientist and future leader who can make meaningful contributions to cancer research.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

I aspire to become an independent cancer researcher and scientific leader who can translate discoveries in basic cancer biology into meaningful advances in cancer prevention and treatment. My goal is to establish a research program focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive tumor development and therapy resistance, while identifying new opportunities for targeted interventions. I am also passionate about mentoring young scientists and creating an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and diverse perspectives are valued. The path to an independent research career is challenging and highly competitive. One of the greatest obstacles I expect to overcome is securing the funding and resources needed to establish and sustain an independent research program. I also recognize the importance of developing strong leadership, communication, and mentorship skills while continuing to grow scientifically. I will overcome these challenges through persistence, adaptability, collaboration, and a willingness to continuously learn from both successes and setbacks. Ultimately, I want my career to extend beyond scientific publications. I hope to make discoveries that have a lasting impact on cancer research, mentor the next generation of scientists, and contribute to a collaborative scientific community that turns challenging questions into meaningful solutions.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

The opportunity to expand my research from cancer nanotherapeutics during my PhD into molecular cancer biology as a postdoctoral researcher. This transition allowed me to work with new experimental models, including cell culture, organoids, and mouse models, and to investigate how fundamental cellular processes influence cancer development. A particularly valuable aspect of this opportunity has been the freedom to explore an important and unexpected biological question: how loss of CPAP/CENPJ, a protein involved in centrosome and cellular organization, affects oral cancer development. Working on this project has challenged me to think beyond established pathways, integrate findings from multiple experimental approaches, and develop a deeper understanding of how DNA damage response, EGFR signaling, vesicular trafficking, and tumor suppression are interconnected. This experience has been transformative because it has not only strengthened my scientific skills but also helped me develop confidence as an independent scientist. It has taught me that some of the most exciting discoveries come from unexpected results and that being willing to ask new questions can open entirely new directions in research.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

AWIS provides a supportive community of women in STEM who understand the challenges and opportunities that come with pursuing a scientific career. Through AWIS, I have gained opportunities to connect with other scientists, learn from their experiences, and develop my leadership and communication skills. Professionally, AWIS has encouraged me to think beyond my role as a researcher and focus on developing as a future scientific leader. It has helped me recognize the importance of networking, mentorship, collaboration, and advocating for myself and others. Personally, being part of a community that supports and empowers women in STEM has given me greater confidence and motivation to pursue my long-term career goals. Most importantly, AWIS has reminded me that success in STEM is not only about scientific accomplishments, but also about building a supportive community and helping others succeed along the way.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Resilience.

How do you define it?

Resilience means the ability to recover from challenges, adapt to change, and keep moving forward with determination and purpose.

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

“Resilience” has taught me to view challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Research rarely follows a straight path—experiments fail, results can be unexpected, and progress often takes time. Throughout my scientific journey, resilience has helped me stay motivated, learn from setbacks, and continue asking questions even when the answers are not immediately clear. This mindset has also encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, take on new research challenges, and adapt to unfamiliar techniques and environments. As I continue working toward becoming an independent scientist and leader, resilience reminds me to remain persistent, open to learning, and committed to my goals despite obstacles.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

AWIS encourages me to grow not only as a scientist but also as a leader. Through AWIS, I have gained opportunities to connect with other women in STEM, learn from their experiences, and develop a stronger sense of confidence in navigating the challenges of an academic research career. AWIS has also encouraged me to think beyond scientific achievements and focus on mentorship, collaboration, communication, and leadership. Being part of a community that supports women in STEM motivates me to continue pursuing my goal of becoming an independent cancer researcher while also creating opportunities for others to grow. Most importantly, AWIS reminds me that career development is not a journey I have to navigate alone. The connections, encouragement, and shared experiences within the community inspire me to keep moving forward and to eventually support and mentor other women pursuing careers in STEM.

Mousumi Bhattacharjee, PhD, is a postdoctoral researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where she studies the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. She earned her PhD from the University of Calcutta, where her research focused on cancer nanotherapeutics and miRNA-mediated regulation in breast cancer. Bhattacharjee’s current research focuses on CPAP/CENPJ and its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma, with an emphasis on EGFR signaling, vesicular trafficking, DNA damage response, and tumor suppression. Through her work with cell culture, organoids, and animal models, she is interested in connecting fundamental cellular mechanisms to clinically relevant cancer biology. Beyond research, Bhattacharjee is passionate about mentorship, scientific collaboration, and supporting women pursuing careers in STEM. Her long-term goal is to become an independent cancer researcher and scientific leader who advances cancer research while inspiring and mentoring the next generation of scientists.