Newsletter
Pradeep Eranti
Can you walk us through your typical day?
I am Pradeep Eranti, a bioinformatician, and I was introduced to genetic epidemiology during my training as an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) in the MLFPM ITN. The MLFPM network enabled ESRs to develop and apply machine learning and statistical methodologies to health data and discover new insights underlying disease mechanisms and explore them in the broader context of precision medicine.
Currently, I am in the final stages of my thesis at the Université Paris Cité, and my typical day involves a lot of writing, editing, and (impatiently) waiting for journal reviews. When I am not immersed in the fascinating world of -omics, I spend time on science communication, advocating for open science and reproducibility, and contributing to community-building initiatives.
And when I need a break from all of this? I daydream about vacations… though with the ongoing editing and research tasks, holiday feels like a mirage!
As a volunteer, what initially drew you to get involved with the MCAA Newsletter, and what keeps you motivated to stay?
I joined the MCAA Newsletter team because I saw it as a fantastic platform for science communication that bridges the gap between various stakeholders, especially in a time when open science and knowledge-sharing are more important than ever.
Being part of the Editorial Board provides me with a unique opportunity, even early in my career, to be involved in the full editorial life cycle, including how to write clear and concise language to communicate scientific content with an audience from diverse backgrounds.
What keeps me coming back, to give back to the community, is the chance to amplify voices from diverse scientific communities, including those affected during the COVID-19 pandemic and from the conflict-affected regions. I believe that effective communication is essential to making science accessible and impactful, and the MCAA Editorial Board shares this belief.
Meet our Editors - Pradeep Eranti: Volunteering is a game-changer - September 2025
What are your hopes or goals for the future of the Newsletter?
Besides continuing to support the production of high-quality content, I hope the MCAA Newsletter continues to serve as an inclusive and diverse platform for all MCAA members, particularly from underrepresented regions and/or topics, to share their stories, breakthroughs, and challenges.
My passion lies in open science and science communication, and I would love to see the Newsletter become a beacon of transparent, collaborative, and globally connected ideas… which can transform science and society.
How has volunteering as an editor influenced your own career, interests, or view of the scientific community?
Volunteering with the MCAA Newsletter has been a game-changer for me. It is not just about editing articles but creating a space for Curie-ous minds to exchange ideas and stories with each other across borders.
As a researcher, I have always focused on human health and disease, recently through the lens of genomics. However, this role has broadened my understanding of how interconnected and interdisciplinary science is.
It has also deepened my commitment to open science. Editing content for a global readership that is accessible and transparent makes me think more critically about how I communicate my research, especially when it comes to making complex genomic data digestible for a wider audience.
I have been with the Editorial Board for over 18 issues, and each one has taught me something new, not just about science but about storytelling.
What’s one behind-the-scenes moment or memory from working on the MCAA Newsletter?
Each of the 18 issues I contributed to holds a special place, but one that really stands out is the Special Issue that we put together on Open Science. What began as a straightforward pitch grew into something far more impactful through unique bottom-up stories. Within days of our call for submissions, we started receiving contributions from various stakeholders, such as researchers and policymakers across continents – some from well-established institutions and others working in smaller or less-resourced environments, with each sharing personal insights into the challenges and breakthroughs they had experienced during their open science journeys. What struck me was not just the content, but the trust these contributors have placed in us. Some sent their drafts late at night, expressing joy that they finally had a platform to talk about these efforts and hoped it would resonate with the MCAA community.
That kind of honesty reminded me why we do this. It is not just about producing a polished document, but about creating space for genuine voices, personal stories, and like-minded connections. And even though the editorial team was running on too much coffee and not enough sleep at times, it felt like we were part of something meaningful, and that made the chaos feel purposeful.
If you could swap lives with any scientist, living, dead or fictional, for one day, who would it be and why?
If I could swap lives with any scientist – what an interesting question! – I would pick Krishnaswamy Vijayraghavan, former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India during the COVID-19 pandemic. His research in genomics and leadership during India’s efforts to sequence the COVID-19 genome really inspire me. I would love to experience first-hand what it is like to navigate large- scale science initiatives and influence national science policy, especially during such a critical time when decisions impact millions of lives. Furthermore, as the editor of the Open Science Special Issue, I also admire how he has navigated the complex intersection of open-access and research integrity.
On the fictional side, I would probably swap places with Sherlock Holmes, not just for his problem-solving genius but for the sheer thrill of solving mysteries. Further, it would be amazing to have his observational powers while editing our future issues!
Meet our Editors - Pradeep Eranti: Volunteering is a game-changer - September 2025