Sudarshan Shahi

Professor of Pediatrics

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Director, Sphingolipid Signaling and Vascular Biology Laboratory

Dear Dr. Chatterjee,

I am writing to express my strong interest in joining your research lab as an undergraduate research assistant.

I am currently a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Public Hea With a deep interest in translational biomedical research and a strong desire to grow as a scientist, I am eager to contr to and learn from your pioneering work in glycosphingolipid signaling and vascular biology.

Your lab's focus on the role of beta-1,4-Galactosyltransferase V (beta-1,4-GalT-V) in synthesizing lactosylceramide ( and its involvement in inflammation, atherosclerosis, and cancer, aligns closely with my academic and career interest I am fascinated by the potential of LacCer as a lipid second messenger and its implications in disease progression. I recently reviewed your 2021 IJMS publication and was particularly intrigued by how LacCer-centric signaling inter multiple inflammatory pathways—a direction I hope to explore more deeply under your mentorship.

Although I am still early in my research career, I bring with me strong foundational training in molecular biology, experience with microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and scientific writing from my coursework.

I am eager to expand these skills further by engaging in lipid biochemistry, cell signaling assays, and translational mo systems used in your lab. I am especially motivated by your lab's translational approach to identifying therapeutic targ and I hope to contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects while developing as a future clinician-scientist.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to join your team and support your research initiatives.

Thank you very much for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to speak further and provide any a materials you might need.