From Lab Beginnings to Global Cancer Research: Dr. Esteban Orellana’s Scientific Journey
10-02-2024
Purdue University Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Program (PULSe) is celebrating 20 years of transformative impact of its research and graduates.
The keynote speaker at the anniversary event, Dr. Esteban Orellana, a distinguished Purdue biological sciences alumnus, captivated the audience with his inspiring journey—from his time as the first PhD student in Dr. Andrea Kasinski's lab to his current role as an independent researcher in cancer biology.
A Purdue Beginning
Orellana's journey at Purdue began in 2012, when he joined the university as a PhD student, drawn by his passion for RNA research and cancer biology. After a challenging start, including a sudden change in labs, he found his academic home under the guidance of Dr. Kasinski, who had recently been recruited to Purdue. Together, they built Dr. Kasinski’s lab from the ground up, working side by side to set up equipment and define research projects.
One of Orellana’s key contributions was in the field of RNA therapeutics. “We were exploring ways to repurpose RNA as potential therapeutics,” he explained during a recent interview. This collaborative effort with Dr. Phil Low, another Purdue researcher, led to innovative breakthroughs in tissue-specific delivery of RNA-based treatments—an area that was critical for his first publication. This project laid the groundwork for Orellana's enduring fascination with RNA therapy, which continues to guide his research today.
Beyond Purdue: A Global Career
After earning his PhD in 2018, Orellana’s next step was a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital, part of Harvard Medical School. He was drawn to the lab of Dr. Richard Gregory, an expert in RNA biology, after meeting him during a guest lecture at Purdue. There, Orellana explored the mechanics of RNA, focusing on post-transcriptional modifications—specifically a modification known as N7-methylguanosine (m7G), which he found to be dysregulated in cancer cells. His work on this project helped reveal how these RNA modifications contribute to oncogenesis, the process by which healthy cells turn into cancerous ones.
Orellana’s postdoctoral research was so well-received that he was awarded two prestigious fellowships: one from the Latin American Fellows Program and another from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. These accomplishments solidified his place as a rising star in the field of cancer biology and positioned him for future success.
Returning to Purdue Roots
Reflecting on his time at Purdue during his keynote, Orellana credited both the university and the PULSe program for shaping his scientific career.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the research at Purdue, particularly the collaborations with chemists like Dr. Low, allowed us to make breakthroughs that would have been impossible otherwise,” he said.
He also emphasized the supportive academic community that extended well beyond his graduation. Even after leaving Purdue, his mentors, including Dr. Kasinski, continued to write recommendation letters and support his grant applications, underscoring Purdue’s long-term investment in its students.
His return to campus was a full-circle moment, where he was able to share his story with current students and faculty, encouraging them to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration and persevere through challenges.
Establishing a Global Impact
Now an assistant professor at Dartmouth College, Orellana leads his own lab, where he continues his work on RNA-based therapies for cancer. He has recruited students from around the world, including his home country of Ecuador, through a program he founded at Dartmouth called the International Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. This initiative gives students from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research, an effort Orellana feels strongly about as a way to give back.
“I want to provide opportunities to those who, like me, came from places with limited resources but limitless talent,” he said. His work has extended beyond research, aiming to make science more accessible to young minds through simplified publications designed for children, an initiative that reflects his passion for science communication.
Looking Ahead
As Orellana reflects on his journey from Purdue to where he is today, he remains grateful for the foundational experiences that shaped his career. The PULSe program, he noted, was a pivotal force in his professional development, not only for its academic rigor but for fostering an environment where interdisciplinary research could thrive. His keynote at the 20th-anniversary celebration was a fitting tribute to the program that helped launch his career, and a reminder to current students of the possibilities that lie ahead when ambition meets opportunity.
Orellana’s story serves as an inspiring example of how Purdue’s commitment to interdisciplinary science continues to impact the world, one discovery at a time.
About the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University
Purdue Biological Sciences is the largest department in the Life Sciences at Purdue University. As part of Purdue One Health, we are dedicated to pioneering scientific discoveries and transformative education at the cutting edge of innovation. From molecules to cells, from tissues to organisms, from populations to ecosystems - we bring together multiple perspectives, integrating across biological scales to advance our understanding of life and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at bio.purdue.edu/.
Writer: Alisha Willett, areferda@purdue.edu
Source: Esteban Orellana