Behind the Test Tube: Q&A
Manana Tsiskarishvili—Graduate Student
Where is home/Where did you grow up?
Tbilisi, Georgia. A small country in Eastern Europe.
Why did you choose chemistry as a career?
My path to chemistry actually started with a bit of a challenge. I had a difficult dynamic with my high school chemistry teacher, which motivated me to dive into the subject just to prove a point. In the process, I found myself genuinely drawn to the material. As I moved through my undergraduate years, I realized that the aspect of chemistry I want to contribute to most was drug discovery. I found myself drawn to the unique combination of humanitarian impact and the thrill of discovery. There is a profound motivation in the idea of helping people through medicine, fueled by a daily drive to uncover insights that the rest of the world hasn't seen yet.
What is your proudest accomplishment while at the URochester?
I’m probably most proud of everything we’ve achieved with the Chemistry Graduate Association and National Chemistry Week. It’s been a privilege to help get a new generation excited about science. Growing up, I didn't always have those doors open to me, so I want to make sure young students today have every opportunity to see themselves as scientists.
What do you like to do when not in the department?
Traveling, visiting art museums, and music festivals
A Rochester must?
Bouillabaisse at Redd
Feast/meal of the times? Details, please!
Khinkali! Traditional Georgian soup dumplings, that are to die for!!
An inspiring book/movie /show? We are really curious as to why!
If I could only pick one book, it would be The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo. I love how he captures the emotional side of being human so well. His descriptions of medieval Paris are so vivid that the cathedral itself feels like a living, breathing character.
A holiday that rocks? Care to tell us why?
My favorite Holiday is New Year’s, which happens to be my birthday. I love the energy of a fresh start and the chance for new experiences, especially when it’s celebrated with family, friends, and lots of food.
Care to share about a special tradition in your family/town/country?
In Georgia, a Mekvle is the very first person to cross the threshold of a home after the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day. The tradition is rooted in the belief that the person who enters first "sets the path" or the destiny of the household for the entire coming year. As they walk in, they scatter candy across the floor.
Fun fact:
I was actually taught how to fly planes. My favorite memory remains a flight along the California coast with my mentor, Tsotne Javakhishvili, and my best friend, Sopo, debating Darwin’s theory while looking down at the Pacific.
Ask me about…
Impressionist art, current politics, the nuances of drug discovery, or just about anything.
The goal of this initiative is to highlight the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the Department of Chemistry and help our community develop stronger connections and synergies. You can think of these spotlights as the beginning of a conversation that we very much hope you will continue in the corridors of Hutch and beyond.
If you wish to contribute to this initiative, please complete our questionnaire.