Ritu Ramamurthy is a postdoctoral researcher studying human organoid models at Wake Forest University. In this Postdoc Portrait interview, she shares how she hopes to continue improving models that accurately represent human biology and translate into better treatments.
Engineering Human Tissue Environments
Q | What drew you to organoids?
I was initially drawn to molecular biology because I’ve always been fascinated by how something as simple as combinations of four bases in DNA can give rise to incredibly complex living systems. The idea that tiny changes at the genetic level could completely alter human health made me want to understand biology at its most fundamental level. That curiosity led me towards gene therapy, where instead of only treating symptoms, we can potentially correct the root cause of a genetic disease. I found that concept incredibly powerful—that a single genetic intervention could have long-term therapeutic impact.
As I became more involved in the field, I was looking for models where I could test genetic interventions with better accuracy and closer relevance to humans, while also reducing the use of animals. That is what drew me to organoids.
Q | What scientific problem are you trying to solve?
I work on developing 3D human organoid models to study biological questions that are difficult to answer using traditional animal models alone. A lot of therapies look promising early on but fail later because current animal models fail to recapitulate true human responses. At the same time, 2D cultures are also limited, since cells in the body naturally exist and interact within dynamic 3D microenvironments.
What I enjoy most about this work is that it combines engineering with biology. I get to help create environments where human cells can grow, communicate, and behave closer to how they function inside the body. I find that incredibly exciting because even small improvements in these models could help researchers make better decisions earlier in the drug development process and eventually improve how therapies reach patients.
Overcoming Limitations in Translational Research
Q | What’s one thing you learned from translational research that you didn’t expect?
One thing I didn’t fully expect was just how much biological variability exists between humans and how strongly that can shape results. When I started working with primary human cells and organoid-based systems, I saw how dramatically the responses can vary depending on donor background and the microenvironment you provide.
That experience changed the way I think about translational research. Animal models are incredibly valuable, but they often cannot capture the complexity and differences seen in human biology, since experimental animals are usually more uniform. It made me realize why so many promising therapies struggle during clinical translation. Instead of viewing variability as a problem to eliminate, I learned to see it as an essential part of understanding disease and treatment response.
Q | What question are you most excited to answer next?
Vasculature is a critical component of the body. However, its inclusion in organoid systems is still limited. I am particularly interested in improving ways to perfuse organoids to better support their structure and function. This could help enhance how closely these models recapitulate human tissue and potentially extend their lifespan, enabling the study of long-term biological interactions, which remains a major challenge in the field. I hope my research contributes to a future where therapies are developed faster, tested more reliably, and tailored more effectively to human biology.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
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