Dr. Thaya is the kind of person who is an educator and a mentor for life. He pushed me to pursue my goals. I know if I ever have a problem or question, I can always reach out to him.
Inside Dr. Thaya Paramanathan’s laboratory, you’ll find advanced scientific instruments alongside something much more personal. The lab’s walls feature stars for each graduate and pennants highlighting where they have gone on to graduate school.
The decorations paint an impressive record of accomplishment: 17 students are pursuing or have earned PhDs. Alumni have studied at Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, UCLA and the University of North Carolina, among others.
“Our students are really hard working,” said Dr. Thaya, a professor of physics, photonics and optical engineering. “They need someone to believe in them and support them. That’s what I do.”
Dr. Thaya’s efforts recently led to international recognition from the Biophysical Society. In February, he will receive the 2027 Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award during the society’s 71st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. The award celebrates distinction in academic research and undergraduate mentoring.
“It’s an honor, a great honor,” he said, adding it is surreal to see his name next to some of the world’s leading biophysicists. “These are all people I have looked up to.”
Dr. Thaya, who is in his 12th year teaching at BSU, started the university’s Single Molecule Biophysics Lab. The laboratory includes dual-beam optical tweezers (which were built entirely by undergraduates) that enable researchers to study how prospective and current cancer drugs interact with single molecules of DNA.
“Thaya has shown his commitment and dedication to educating and mentoring future generations of biophysicists throughout his career,” said Biophysical Society President Karen Fleming of Johns Hopkins University. “This dedication to research and to the future generations of biophysicists embodies the very spirit and purpose of this prestigious award.”
His students can’t think of anyone more deserving.
“Dr. Thaya is the kind of person who is an educator and a mentor for life,” said Heléna Beeloo, ’24, who is pursuing a PhD in physics at Yale University and aspires to become a professor. “He pushed me to pursue my goals. I know if I ever have a problem or question, I can always reach out to him.”
Dr. Thaya thanked everyone at BSU for their support. The university, he said, feels like a family. He is also deeply appreciative of all the students who have joined his lab.
“This is dedicated to my students,” he said. “Without their performance and what they have done in their lives, I wouldn’t be recognized.”
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