#18 - From Wound Healing to Queer Advocacy: Redefining Success in Academia - With Saroj Gourkanti

This episode of the DASL Podcast features a heartfelt and deeply honest conversation with Saroj Gourkanti, a sixth-year PhD candidate at UC San Diego whose journey through science, identity, and advocacy offers a compelling window into the realities of academic life. From discovering research in high school to building an entirely new project from the ground up, Saroj reflects on how curiosity, mentorship, and community shaped their trajectory—and how queerness, resilience, and self-discovery have guided him through both triumphs and challenges.

Saroj shares the story of carving out a scientific path while navigating the expectations of a medically oriented family, the pressures of elite academic environments, and the often-invisible complexities of being a queer scientist in spaces that don’t always feel welcoming. His PhD journey highlights the emotional realities behind scientific discovery: the uncertainty, the self-doubt, the breakthroughs that arrive after years of quiet work, and the profound growth that comes from building something entirely your own.

A significant part of the episode explores mentorship and belonging. Saroj speaks candidly about what it means to find your voice early in scientific training, and how supportive mentors shaped their confidence and identity. Now a mentor to others, Saroj shares his philosophy of leading with empathy, meeting trainees where they are, and helping them recognize their own worth. He offers powerful insights into adapting mentorship styles, fostering psychological safety, and countering the outdated belief that success requires suffering.

The conversation also dives into advocacy and community-building, including Saroj’s founding of grad oSTEM at UC San Diego, a graduate organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ scientists. He discusses the importance of visible queer leadership in STEM, the need for institutional accountability, and the healing power of finding community among peers who understand your lived experience. His reflections illuminate how identity shapes scientific practice—and how creating inclusive spaces can transform not just individuals, but entire academic ecosystems.

In the final part of the episode, Saroj offers grounded, hopeful advice for trainees confronting uncertainty in today’s scientific landscape, especially amid funding cuts and shifting career prospects. He challenges the narrow definition of “success” in academia and encourages listeners to broaden their horizons, explore paths beyond traditional expectations, and define a fulfilling future on their own terms.

Saroj’s openness, vulnerability, and wisdom make this conversation an essential listen for anyone navigating the complexities of research, identity, or belonging in STEM. His story is a reminder that science is not only about discovery—it is about the communities we build, the people we uplift, and the courage it takes to show up authentically in a world that doesn’t always make space for everyone.

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