Dr. Roshni Rao was promoted to Assistant Vice Provost of Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Rao’s recent promotion marks not only a career milestone but also reflects the institution’s deep commitment to enhancing the importance of Life Design in shaping the future of graduate education.
In her new role, Dr. Rao brings a heightened dedication to fostering inclusive, holistic approaches to graduate education. Over the past four years, there has been a concerted effort to elevate the professional and career development of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. With her promotion, Dr. Rao is poised to lead initiatives that offer abundant opportunities and support for scholars, heralding a new era of enhanced assistance and sustained advocacy.
Dr. Rao’s vision transcends the traditional boundaries of graduate education. She aims to seamlessly integrate life design and professional development into the very fabric of the graduate student experience, offering transformative programs that deeply resonate with scholars’ personal and professional aspirations.
As a woman of color and an immigrant, Dr. Rao understands the significance of representation in her role. Despite facing numerous challenges and scrutiny, she finds acceptance and encouragement through the unwavering support of her team of doctoral fellows and staff, fueling her passion and empowering her ideas.
About Dr. Roshni Rao
Dr. Roshni Rao holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Carolina, PGDipSci from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and Bachelors in Microbiology, Chemistry and Botany from St. Joseph’s College at Bangalore University in India. After completing her Ph.D., Dr. Rao embarked on her postdoctoral training at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) in Silver Spring, MD. Subsequently, she transitioned to the role of Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs at the NIH, where she played a pivotal role in shaping training and education opportunities for postdoctoral scientists. Dr. Rao joined Johns Hopkins University in 2020 as Director of PHutures and then as Executive Director of Doctoral and Postdoctoral Career Design, reshaping career education with a focus on inclusivity and innovation before taking on her current role as Assistant Vice Provost of Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design.
About Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University prioritizes a life design approach for its doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. This holistic philosophy helps them explore their values, interests, and skills, empowering them to build fulfilling careers. The program emphasizes skills development, mentorship, networking with alumni and employers, and university-wide collaboration. This comprehensive support system recognizes the evolving career landscape, ensuring doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows are equipped to navigate diverse pathways and achieve both professional success and personal satisfaction.
