Mahitha Chaturvedula Earns Fugassi and Monteverde Award
Heidi Opdyke
- Associate Dean of Marketing and Communications, MCS
- Email opdyke@andrew.cmu.edu
- Phone 412-268-9982
For Carnegie Mellon University senior Mahitha Chaturvedula, research is in the genes, and her work could lay the groundwork for future biomedical innovations.
“What got me into research was that I wanted to do something that would have a broader impact on the world around us,” said Chaturvedula, who majored in biological sciences. “It taught me a lot of technical skills, but it also taught me a lot about the importance of passion, drive and grit in science.”
Since her first year at Carnegie Mellon, Chaturvedula has worked with Charles Ettensohn, professor of biological sciences, to investigate sea urchins’ genes. When sea urchins are embryos, they typically develop a hard, spiny skeleton during a process called biomineralization. This same process is used when human bones and teeth form.
The Ettensohn lab discovered a gene in sea urchins they call LAMG, which when removed, prevents the sea urchins from properly developing their skeletons. Chaturvedula investigated which cells express the gene and when they become active. She hopes that by understanding what causes the gene to activate, researchers can create new treatments.
“There are huge impacts in the field of biomineralization, which can have a lot of potential effects on tissue modeling and cancer treatments due to the unique properties that biominerals have,” Chaturvedula said.
Ettensohn said that she has made a significant contribution to the lab.
“What stands out about Mahitha is her tremendous motivation, initiative and fascination with genetics,” he said. “In addition, I have not seen a student more highly committed to a career in academic research.”
Chaturvedula also pursued genetic research as an Amgen Scholar at the Duke University School of Medicine during the summer of 2025. The lab she worked with had access to cell lines that had a series of different chromosome compositions for sex chromosomes, which determine the biological sex of a person.
Although most people have XX or XY sex chromosomes, variations can occur, leading to configurations like XXX, X and XXY. These configurations — known as karyotypes — can have an impact on human development and health, leading to disorders such as Turner syndrome and Kleinfelter syndrome. The lab Chaturvedula worked with had access to mosaic cell lines, where cells from a single person had XXX, XX and X karyotypes.
Chaturvedula sorted these cells by their karyotype and created clonal cell lines that other researchers could use for RNA sequencing and genetic research in the future.
“It addresses a large gap in sex chromosome comparison studies and eliminates any sort of external genetic variation that you would get if you were comparing different cells from two individuals,” Chaturvedula said. “Now, you’re able to compare them from one individual.”
Chaturvedula’s passion for science went outside of the lab. She served as president as CMU’s Women in Science Club, increasing the club’s events and expanding its outreach to the Pittsburgh community.
“I had a really big hand in creating this community I wanted my first year, and I hope to leave that community as part of my legacy at CMU,” she said.
Chaturvedula also served as a teaching assistant for Modern Biology, an introductory course for students from all majors, and Cell Biology, an advanced course focused on the inner workings of cells for biological sciences majors.
“In the future, I want to be able to teach undergraduate students, especially in the field of genetics,” she said. “It has been really exciting to have those teaching experiences.”
For her efforts, Chaturvedula earned the Dr. J. Paul Fugassi and Linda Monteverde Award, which is given each year to a graduating senior in the Mellon College of Science who demonstrates the greatest academic achievement and professional promise. She was also named an honorable mention for the Judith A. Resnik Award, which recognizes an exceptional senior graduating with an undergraduate technical course of study. She was previously recognized as an Andrew Carnegie Society Scholar.
“Mahitha displays a deep dedication to serving her community and always seeks out opportunities to make a positive impact on others,” said Amanda Willard, assistant teaching professor and director of undergraduate studies for biological sciences. “She is an energetic and engaged student leader as well as a team player. She never hesitates to step up into a leadership role and work with the input of her peers to improve things for others.”
After graduation, Chaturvedula will be studying genetics as a postbaccalaureate IRTA fellow at the National Institutes of Health. She said in the future, she hopes to become a professor to combine her passion for research and her enjoyment of teaching.
“Being able to do research and then seeing its potential to have a bigger impact is really exciting,” Chaturvedula said. “It’s what drives me in science.”
