For Chitra Telang-Lobo, organizing a virtual fundraiser in support of the Dr. Raj Suryanarayanan Fellowship in Pharmaceutics was one way to give back to the College of Pharmacy and support critical training, research, and education for future generations.
For Chitra Telang-Lobo, supporting the College of Pharmacy is a way to give back to the educational institution that gave her a strong foundation for a career—and so much more.
Telang earned her doctorate in Pharmaceutics in 2004. Although admitted to three schools, she chose Minnesota. “I was drawn to Dr. Sury’s lab research,” she said. “And the Peters Fellowship was one consideration.”
At the college, Telang worked in collaboration with Materials Sciences & Food Sciences Labs, conducted research in pre-formulations with summer internships at Eli Lilly and Abbott Laboratories, the latter with Dr. Han, a former Sury graduate as mentor. Dr. Sury encouraged her to take coursework in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. “Although they were not my favorites at the time, I’m grateful for that nudge,” said Telang.
Following positions at Boehringer Ingelheim and Merck, Telang works for a clinical-stage biotech Immunovant. “From small molecule preformulation to regulatory in big pharma to biologics in a small biotech, the strong foundation at UofM has helped me to transition skillsets,” said Telang.
Along with academics, Telang fondly recalls experiences outside of the classroom and lab. “There are so many happy memories and it’s such a special place for me,” she said. “I met my husband there and we got married during our time at the University.”
Although Telang has been a donor to the college, she felt a spiritual draw this year through her studies in Vedanta USA to contribute her energy to fund the Sury Fellowship started by Professor Alekha Dash at Creighton University. “It is an obligation I have repaid with gratitude,” she explained. “I was delighted to hear back from 90 percent of the Sury group spanning three decades while planning a virtual fundraiser! Increasing fellowship funding is a team sport that needs strategy engagement. It’s more than just writing a check and walking away.”
Stressing the importance of corporate matching with others, Telang, a soccer mom, recalled a quote by French soccer player Kylian Mbappe that resonated: “Personal stats are good, but the collective is better.”