Graduate Spotlight: Kiera Tanaputra

Kiera Tanaputra got her first taste of Seattle during a visit while on a break in high school. And she was hooked, determined that when it came time to pick a university that its zip code would be in the Emerald City, even though it was a far distance from her home country of Indonesia.

Beyond the location—and the weather, which she loves—other factors also had a hand in Tanaputra’s choice for where she wanted to pursue a degree in biochemistry.

“One of the main reasons I chose Seattle University is because I wanted to be in a school with a smaller student-to-faculty ratio. I find that I can learn much better in a learning environment where I could participate more actively in class, get personalized feedback on my work and develop good academic relationships with my professors,” she says. “I also really like SU’s central location since it makes it really easy to explore different parts of the city from campus.”

From an early age Tanaputra always had a hunger for learning and growing up with parents who both work in the natural sciences contributed to an interest in the sciences. She enjoyed her biology and chemistry classes in high school but it was blueberries—yes, that tiny superfood—that solidified the path she would pursue at Seattle University, one that includes research.

“What really made me decide that this was what I wanted to do in the future was a self-guided research project I did on a pigment in blueberries called anthocyanin. While working on the project, I realized that I enjoyed the process a lot,” says Tanaputra.

“I had to connect concepts from biology and chemistry and do a lot of problem-solving to optimize my methods, which was challenging but also felt rewarding. That experience made me strongly consider a career at the intersection between biology and chemistry and I eventually decided on biochemistry as my major.”

Research has been an integral part of her studies, working on projects with peers and led by Associate Professor Chris Whidbey, PhD. The focus of their work is understanding how the gut and brain communicate, specifically through a system called the gut-brain axis. Here’s how Tanaputra explains it: “The molecules produced by gut bacteria can send signals to brain cells called microglia, which are also important immune cells in the brain. We want to find out which proteins in microglial cells interact with these signaling molecules.”

The research connects directly to her interests in biochemistry and molecular biology.

“It has given me a lot of hands-on experience and helped me understand how research is done beyond the classroom, especially things like data analysis, designing protocols and making decisions when the results aren’t always clear,” says Tanaputra. “It has also given me a deeper understanding of how interconnected our biological systems are. It was very eye-opening to learn that tiny cells in our brain can have such a big impact on things like how our body functions and our mood.”

For the first time last fall, she gave a formal presentation of her research at the annual Murdock Science Research Conference, presenting the work and its findings to an audience of hundreds, including professors and other researchers. Though initially nervous, Tanaputra says the experience helped her gain confidence in presenting her research and she is especially grateful for the support and guidance she received from Dr. Whidbey.

Beyond the connection with her major and the prospects of real breakthroughs made possible through research, Tanaputra believes the technical and soft skills acquired will be beneficial post-SU, “in graduate school and a research-related career,” she says. “It’s made me feel much more prepared and confident about pursuing work in this field.”

As she looks back on her time at SU Tanaputra has a wealth of memories that will stay with her. Being part of Dr. Whidbey’s research group is up there, along with the many people she met with interesting and diverse backgrounds. Another highlight? Attending SU basketball games and cheering on the Redhawks.

“My friends and I would go to the home games together during the season and even though the games could get pretty intense at times, it was always a great way to step away from academic stress for a bit.”

In the fall she’ll be pursuing a master’s degree in bioengineering at Tufts University. Looking beyond that, she’s not locked in on where her career might take her though she is particularly interested in roles where she can continue to conduct research related to human health, possibly in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.

“It would be a dream job to be able to keep learning every day while contributing to impactful developments in the field,” says Tanaputra.

Her advice for incoming students? Take advantage of available opportunities. “And don't be afraid to talk to the professors. They would love to help you,” she says. “I used to dread seeking help and talking to my professors, but once I got over that fear they turned out to be what helped me learn the most and feel more connected to my field.”