Meet Siddhanth Hejmady, a third-year pharmaceutics student in the UI College of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics Department. Since stepping on campus, he has distinguished himself through solid research, strong leadership, and significant achievements. Most recently, Hejmady was selected for the 2025 UI Dare to Discover campaign, which showcases UI researchers, scholars, and creators. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to pursue a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences.

I’m from Mumbai, India, and completed my undergraduate degree in pharmacy at the University of Mumbai and a master’s in pharmaceutics at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India. 

I have always been fascinated by the science behind drug product formulation and manufacturing processes. My experience working at a pharmaceutical company in India before graduate school exposed me to real-world challenges, further reinforcing my interest in solving product-development issues. 

Pursuing a PhD was a natural step to deepen my understanding. I learned about the UI College of Pharmacy through its strong presence and legacy in the pharmaceutical sciences field and the opportunity to work in Associate Professor Reza Nejadnik’s lab led me to Iowa. I’m interested in a career in pharmaceutical or biotechnological research and development, contributing to the creation of next-generation protein therapeutics.

What does your research involve?

It focuses on predicting protein self-association and improving the stability of antibody therapies to enhance their formulation and manufacturability. This could lead to more stable, effective therapies and reduce the cost and time of bringing new biologics to market, making them more accessible and enhancing patient outcomes. My interest grew from the challenges in developing and commercializing therapeutic proteins, their increasing demand, and working more and more with them.

The complexity of protein behavior and interactions has been both fascinating and challenging. Working with biologics I’ve realized, and continue to be surprised by, how even minor changes in formulation conditions can significantly impact drug product stability and effectiveness.

What has been rewarding about your graduate school experience?

Presenting my research through various opportunities and engaging with industry professionals has been incredibly rewarding. Being selected for a special poster collection at AAPS PharmSci 360 last year and completing a summer internship at Bristol Myers Squibb further strengthened my industry exposure and deepened my practical understanding of my research. Another highlight was being selected a UI Pharmaceuticals fellow in formulation development and sterile products manufacturing.

I’ve enjoyed the intellectual challenges of research, the collaborative and diverse environment, and the opportunity to learn from faculty, fellow researchers, and industry experts. Professionally, I’ve developed strong analytical skills and personally, I’ve become more adaptable, especially in handling research challenges.

In what ways have you gained leadership experience and mentored others.

I was the secretary of the UI AAPS chapter and am part of the UI Innovation Leadership Fellows Program. I have had the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of Dr. Nejadnik’s lab, taking on leadership responsibilities early on and supporting the growth of a relatively new research environment. These positions have provided me with opportunities to strengthen my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. 

I enjoy mentoring junior students and helping them navigate research challenges and sharing insights on graduate school, networking, and industry engagement. I participate in the UI Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program, guiding incoming graduate students by helping them with academic, professional, and personal challenges. 

What strategies do you use to balance school, work, and personal life?

I enjoy taking long walks, watching movies and TV shows to decompress. I also like exploring different cuisines and new culinary experiences whenever I can, whether it’s trying unique street food, discovering new restaurants, or attempting to recreate dishes at home. I enjoy the adventure that comes with food and the way different cuisines tell a story about culture.