Agila Somasundaram, PhD

Agila Somasundaram, PhD, has a diverse and extensive work experience spanning various research and administrative roles. Starting in 2022, they currently serve as a Senior Scientific Program Administrator at the American Association for Cancer Research. In this position, they are responsible for overseeing and managing scientific programs.

From 2018 to 2022, Dr. Somasundaram worked as a Senior Research Writer at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. During this time, they contributed to research writing and played a key role in disseminating scientific information.

In 2018, they briefly served as an Editor at AJE - American Journal Experts, where they provided editing services for scientific manuscripts and grant proposals.

Prior to that, Dr. Somasundaram had a significant tenure at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2014 to 2018. Agila initially worked as a Research Fellow/Postdoctoral Fellow, where they conducted independent and collaborative research in neuroendocrine cells, focusing on cellular compartments and dynamics. Agila utilized advanced microscopy techniques and characterized membrane ultrastructure.

During their time at NIH, they also held various additional roles. Agila served as the Primary Editor for the NIH Fellows Editorial Board from 2015 to 2017, providing technical editing services for scientific manuscripts and grant proposals. Agila was a member of the NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence Committee in 2016, managing the peer-review process for scientific abstracts. Additionally, they were a member of the NHLBI Fellows Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2016 and a writer for the NHLBI Fellows Newsletter from 2014 to 2016.

In 2014, Dr. Somasundaram managed the Science Policy For All Blog, a platform for discussing science policy issues. Agila progressed from a Writer to an Editor and eventually became the Manager of the blog. Agila recruited and managed a team of writers and editors.

Their early career experience includes positions at Northwestern University. As a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2014, they focused on calcium signaling pathways. Prior to that, they served as a Graduate Research Assistant from 2007 to 2013, where they conducted research on a calcium ion channel's role in gene expression and proliferation in mouse brain stem cells. Agila utilized various imaging and molecular biology techniques.

In 2013, they also participated in a science communication training program at Northwestern University, where they acquired skills to effectively communicate science to different audiences in various formats.

Overall, Dr. Agila Somasundaram brings a wealth of experience in research, scientific writing, program administration, and science communication to their current role as a Senior Scientific Program Administrator.

Agila Somasundaram, PhD, completed their education in neuroscience with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from Northwestern University from 2006 to 2013. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree in Industrial Biotechnology from Anna University, where they studied from 2002 to 2006. Additionally, Agila has pursued several additional certifications. These include the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Quality (ORAQ) Training Program from Duke University in 2018, Management Bootcamp from The National Institutes of Health in 2017, Scientists Teaching Science from The National Institutes of Health in 2015, Workplace Dynamics Series from The National Institutes of Health in 2015, Analytical and Quantitative Light Microscopy Workshop from Marine Biological Laboratory in 2014, Certificate in Research Communication from the RCTP Research Communication Training Program at Northwestern University in 2013, and Writing in the Sciences via Coursera from Stanford University in 2013.