But research is only part of Rao's job. The college also needs more facilities for research, he said. It needs a tissue bank, and Rao hopes to develop one. But he also needs to raise money, publish research findings and recruit researchers. Rao's tasks carry plenty of challenges.
Grants are highly competitive.
Rao admits to being a workaholic, though he did not use the term. Instead he attends 10 to 15 scientific conferences or meetings each year. Rao's typical work day lasts 14 to 16 hours, in which he oversees research assistants and writes grants. He likes to write at home, he said, and usually puts in eight hours on weekends. Rao's career Rao was born in India but is now a U.S. citizen.