Rahul Vivek, an IPiB graduate student, will be defending his Ph.D. research on January 28, 2026. His research in the Butcher Lab investigated the interaction between poly(UG) RNA and a protein implicated in multiple neurodegenerative disorders.
Vivek used biophysical and biochemical approaches to understand how the protein TDP-43 interacts with poly(UG) RNA, a repeating RNA sequence found in humans. His results suggest that TDP-43 binds to poly(UG) RNA, preventing the RNA from folding. Once poly(UG) RNA has folded, TDP-43 can no longer bind to it. Further research will identify whether the depletion of TDP-43 promotes polyUG RNA folding in cells and if it contributes to neurodegenerative disease. His research is currently undergoing peer review.
As an undergraduate, Vivek spent the summer at UW–Madison working in the Record Lab through the Khorana Program, which supported students from India who were interested in exploring research in the U.S. After earning his master’s degree in biotechnology from Bharathidasan University, Vivek was eager to return to research opportunities at UW–Madison, as well as the culture of biking and hiking in Madison.
Vivek put his love of the outdoors to work as a volunteer and organizer with the UW–Madison student chapter of Asha for Education, a nonprofit organization that supports educational efforts in underserved regions of India, planning hikes and other outdoor activities. He also enjoys hiking, playing cards and board games, and watching horror movies with friends.
Vivek plans to pursue a career in academia. “For me, science is about having something new to answer,” says Vivek. “Research feels like solving a mystery — you follow the evidence, test ideas, and let the data guide you to the answer.”
To learn more about Vivek’s research, attend his Ph.D. defense, “Biochemical and biophysical characterization of TDP-43 binding to poly(UG) RNA” on Wednesday, January 28 at 9:00 a.m. CT in Room 1211 of Hector F. DeLuca Biochemical Sciences Building.
Written by Renata Solan.