The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) has more than 125 members from across the Illinois campus. Given the great variety in backgrounds, research disciplines, and experiences of our members, we offer our Q&A series “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” to provide readers a connection with the amazing array of individuals who comprise the CCIL’s robust cancer research team. This is the fifth installment.
CCIL Member: Satish Nair
CCIL Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems
CCIL Research Theme: Mechanistic and Quantitative Biology
Faculty Position: Department Head and Gregorio Weber Professor, Biochemistry
What originally drew you to cancer research?
Our lab works on natural products, and we discovered a compound with anti-cancer potential. So, it was very roundabout.
What cancer problems are you seeking to address in your lab?
We are discovering therapeutics that can target brain cancers, which are notoriously recalcitrant to traditional small molecule therapeutics.
What keeps you going in your research? How do you recharge?
New discoveries always provide a chance to recharge, and this is what keeps my lab moving forward.
What are fun or quirky facts about you that others may not know?
I have a huge collection of vintage jazz and classical vinyl records.
Can you tell us a favorite film or book of yours?
Right now I am reading Recursion by Blake Crouch.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, and why?
Professionally, I am proud of having trained a stellar group of young scientists.
Personally, my second serve is getting better.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received, and how has it shaped your research career?
The best advice I received is to not get in your own way, whether it comes to mentorship, research, teaching, or just being.
Stay tuned for more weekly installments in our “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” series.
Editor’s notes:
Satish Nair can be reached at snair@illinois.edu.
This story was written by Jonathan King, CCIL Communications Specialist.