Suresh Kannan, PhD
Each month the BMB Department features a department member's unique story.
This month, Haley sat down with Dr. Suresh Kannan, an Academic Administrator III in our department. Read on to learn more about Suresh's life and the unique perspectives they bring to UMass Chan.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Chennai, India. A city in the state Tamil Nadu in South India.
What led you to a career in science (and in your case, science admin?)?
Science always fascinated me—I love understanding the “why” and “how” behind established scientific facts, which naturally led me to pursue a career in science. I was drawn to infections, disease pathogenesis, and how antibiotics work, so I chose microbiology, earning two Masters degrees and a PhD in the field.
With great mentors during my PhD and postdoc, I pursued biomedical research. During my postdoc years at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, I started working closely with department administrators and noticed a clear disconnect between faculty (and researchers) and administration at various levels across the institution. While many recognized this gap, little was being done to bridge it. That realization led me to explore roles that connected both worlds, and in 2016, I found an opportunity as a program manager in the Dean’s office—serving as a liaison between research and administration. It felt natural to translate research “talk” into administrative and financial language and also explain administrative aspects of systems and processes to researchers. I also was pleasantly surprised by how many of my research skills were transferable. Nine years and several roles later, I’m now at UMass Chan.
Why did you choose to come to UMass Chan, and why did you choose to stay here?
We always wanted to move to the NE US. UMass was on my radar every time I started to look for opportunities and I was very happy to move in 2023. We decided to stay because family is close by and for everything else MA has to offer. That said, I do really miss my friends in Arkansas.
How would you spend your time if you never had to work again in your life?
Travel the world as much as possible.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I would love to move back to London. However, Switzerland is my most favorite.
What is your favorite kitchen utensil?
- Spoon
- Fork is a close second
