Thayaparan “Thaya” Paramanathan was born in Jaffna, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. When he was a baby, the fam­ily moved to the capital city of Colombo, where his parents were employed. His early years were spent in Colombo, until the tragic events of the “Black July” riots in 1983 in which many people were killed (estimates on the number who were killed range from 400 to 5,000) and 150,000 lost their homes. These riots are recognized as the start of the Sri Lankan civil war. “I vividly remember fleeing our burning house as a child, the devastation etched in my memory as my parents wept over the loss of everything they had worked so hard to build. Forced to return to Jaffna, we rebuilt our home only for it to be destroyed within a decade, bulldozed during the civil war,” Thaya recalls. “Growing up in the heart of a war zone was marked by unimaginable challenges. With no access to elec­tricity, I studied by the dim glow of kerosene lamps, with fuel rationed carefully due to restricted supplies. Many mornings were spent queuing for hours just to secure bread or essential groceries. Despite these hardships, the community in Jaffna remained steadfastly focused on education—it was seen as the sole path to escape the turmoil and build a better future. This unyielding commitment to learning became an enduring source of hope and resilience.”

Thaya’s high school, St. John’s College in Jaffna, became a cru­cial pillar of support when it recognized his family’s struggles. “The institution not only provided me with a full scholarship but also helped shape me into the person I am today. The college principal, Mr. Thanapalan, identified my potential as a teacher and mentor—a recognition that ultimately guided me towards the career path I passionately pursue today,” he shares.

He next attended the University of Jaffna, in his hometown. “Growing up in a war zone and grappling with the daily strug­gle for survival was, without a doubt, the biggest challenge of my life. Yet, it was the unwavering support of my community and the dedication of professors at the University of Jaffna that gave me the opportunity to persevere,” Thaya reflects. “These professors, who risked their lives to provide us with a strong foundation in physics, were instrumental in preparing me to pursue a career in this field. Their courage and commit­ment continue to inspire me as I reflect on my journey.”

He was inspired by his high school physics teacher, Mr. Varnam, to study physics as an undergrad and did not take any biology courses in either high school or as an undergraduate. “However, after graduation, I discovered biophysics through a conference presentation in Sri Lanka, as an interdisciplinary approach ap­plying physics to understand biological systems. Intrigued by its potential to address global health challenges, I decided to pursue biophysics during my graduate studies,” he provides.

Thaya entered a PhD program at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, that allowed him to combine a passion for optics with biological research. He explored optical tweezers and their groundbreaking applications in studying biological systems. He joined the lab of Mark Williams to delve deeper into the world of biophysics. “I used optical tweezers to investigate the interactions between small molecules and DNA, further cementing my fascination with the field,” he explains. “Single-molecule studies of the drug-DNA interac­tions offer a detailed molecular-level insight into the dynamic changes that occur in DNA during drug binding. This intricate understanding paves the way for the development of more effective and precisely designed therapeutics in the future.”

After completing his PhD, Thaya undertook postdoctoral training at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He worked under the mentorship of two prominent biophysi­cists, Jeff Gelles and Jane Kondev. “During this phase of my re­search, I explored how competitors induce dissociation using total internal reflection fluorescence to gain deeper insights into this intriguing phenomenon,” he shares.

Thaya is now a professor of physics at Bridgewater State University (BSU), a public higher education institution located in southeastern Massachusetts. “In our research, we are focused on studying the interactions of various small-molecule drugs with DNA. Current projects include Doxorubicin, Netropsin, Mitoxantrone, and BI-3802. The most scientifically rewarding aspect of my work is how quantitative data and physics models provide molecular-level insights into biological interactions, laying the foundation for improved drug design in the future,” he says. “However, the greatest fulfillment comes from empowering our undergraduate researchers to engage in cutting-edge research and inspiring their passion for understanding science through hands-on exploration. I feel fortunate to be at an institution like BSU, where I can pursue my passion for educating underprivileged students and introducing them to the wonders of biophysics. The biggest reward comes from seeing my students succeed in their career and life.”

Thaya adds, “I have been a member of BPS since 2007, and it has consistently been a fruitful experience. Presenting my research and receiving feedback from specialists in the field has been invaluable, in addition to fostering collaborations and opening doors to job opportunities. Notably, I met my post­doctoral advisor through BPS, which led to an incredible career opportunity. Serving on the Education Committee has been equally fulfilling, allowing me to build lasting friendships and visit various universities to share my research and learn about their institutions.”

When asked about the future of biophysics, Thaya mentions the importance of fostering young minds to meet the chal­lenges humanity will face in the future. “The COVID-19 pan­demic highlighted the critical role biophysics plays in address­ing global challenges. By uncovering the mechanisms of virus packaging and analyzing the details of various interactions, researchers were able to accelerate vaccine development sig­nificantly,” he declares. “To meet future challenges, we need more scientists to explore this remarkable field. My mission is to raise awareness of biophysics among the younger genera­tion and inspire the creation of more biophysicists. Additional­ly, if time permits, I aim to integrate this fascinating discipline into the undergraduate curriculum in Sri Lanka.”

If he weren’t a biophysicist, Thaya would have been a basket­ball coach. “If you were to return to my hometown of Jaffna, you'd find that more people know me for basketball than for my work in biophysics,” he jokes. To early-career biophysicists, he offers, “Welcome to a field with incredible opportunities and unlimited fun in exploration. Join BPS and connect with a supportive community that will advance your career. As I always tell my students, ‘Do what you love, and you will not work a single day.’”