Graduating student finds passion in medical research

Sumit Kar’s interest in health care began as a child.

“I always had an interest in health care as a child from all the days I spent in hospitals and the surgeries I had,” Kar said. “My mom and I have struggled with illnesses much of our lives which makes me realize many diseases still do not have adequate means of diagnosis and treatment.”

He wants to change that by leading medical research that advances diagnosis and treatment and translates to improved patient care. He graduated from the Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine doctoral program.

Kar, born in Iowa and raised in Omaha, will have a big advantage when he begins his first job in as a research team leader in Lincoln.

With his passion to solve the mysteries of disease, he’s worked in research labs since he was in high school. He sought out opportunities to share his research through awards, presentations, and publications and accepted opportunities even if he didn’t think he was ready.

Kar said mentors like Irving Zucker, PhD, Matthew Zimmerman, PhD and Paras Kumar Mishra, PhD, Kar’s supervisor and advisor, have made a difference and contributed to his success.

“My first research experience with Dr. Zucker showed me the potential of research and the thrill of making new discoveries about the human body,” Kar said. “In 2017, I started an industry research position where I learned of the new technologies under development to better diagnose and treat diseases. I enrolled the PhD program at UNMC to be able to lead research during this exciting time for science.”

Just a few of his accomplishments include publishing 20 peer-reviewed research papers to date that have been cited 181 times by researchers around the world. He published papers with Dr. Zucker on the heart that now are being read and cited again because of the role of ACE2 in COVID-19. He was a finalist for the Bioanalysis Rising Star Award, an international award, for his work in identifying biomarkers for diseases and clinical trials.

Dr. Zucker said Kar worked hard and never took no for an answer. Kar has advice for other students.

“My advice to other students is to identify mentors who you think will identify your strengths and encourage you to pursue unique opportunities based on your strengths,” Kar said. “Students should also take all opportunities when they come, no matter how challenging or time consuming they may be.”