Scripps Student Spotlight: Hans Singh

Hans Singh recently earned his PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, where he studied marine microbiology and genomics. Singh grew up in Chapel Hill, N.C., and received his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in molecular cell biology and environmental science. At Scripps, Singh has been researching the microbiome of deep-sea sediments, focusing on its potential to produce compounds with applications in natural products. He is advised by Scripps marine biologist Paul Jensen. Singh’s research is supported by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP), the Scripps Dickinson First-Year Fellowship, and the ZoBell Fellowship Award. 

explorations now (en): Why did you choose to attend Scripps?

Hans Singh (HS): I’ve long been drawn by the pull of the ocean. During my undergraduate research, I was able to experience the world of microbes, organisms which are usually invisible to the human eye, but play crucial ecological roles across our planet. As I looked for a graduate program, I wanted to work on the interface of microbiology and chemistry, which led me to Scripps to work with Paul Jensen. In addition to finding the engagement and expertise of the faculty at Scripps top-notch, I also decided on Scripps because Keiara Auzenne, the Scripps director of diversity initiatives, is an amazing advocate for students. Finally, I couldn’t pass up being right by the beach!

en: What are you researching at Scripps?

HS: I am researching the microbiome and biosynthetic potential of abyssal marine sediments in levels deeper than 5,000 meters (~16,000 feet)! A microbiome is a collection of microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The biosynthetic potential of the microbiome is its ability to produce bioactive compounds – metabolites –which are molecules microbes produce that give them an ecological or physiological advantage. More importantly for humans, many metabolites have proven to be important medical therapeutics. Abyssal sediments are understudied but they are crucial ecosystems to understand, making up more than 80% of the ocean floor. I also recently finished projects utilizing publicly available metagenomes and genomes to evaluate differences in biosynthetic potential across biomes and taxonomic lineages. Meta-analyses such as these are crucial for identifying the gaps in our knowledge for the discovery of novel natural products. 

en: How did you become interested in science and your field of study?

HS: I became hooked on working in a research lab as a second-year undergraduate when I was selected for the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. In the program, I investigated the daily patterns of airborne algae in Alison Sherwood’s lab at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The joy of tackling a novel research question hypnotized me. I found myself engaged in ways I did not imagine possible. When I got back from this program, I knew I wanted to be in science. I joined Eoin Brodie’s lab at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which further reinforced my excitement about microbiological research studies. 

en: What’s life like as a Scripps student? Describe a typical day.

HS: Life as a Scripps student is quite variable, although, for the most part, it is great. I find my mood is helped so much by just being next to the water. Whenever I am having a challenging research day, I go for a walk on the beach and lose myself in the waves. On a typical day, I will work through my experiments in the lab, process and analyze data, or work on writing up my findings into publications. 

en: What’s the most exciting thing about your work (in the field or in the lab)?

HS: The most excitement I’ve had at Scripps was when I went on a research cruise led by Professor Brian Haley of Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. We departed from Hawaii and spent three weeks collecting deep-sea sediment and porewater samples. During that time, I got to experience something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. Being at sea on a research expedition somehow surpassed my wildest expectations, and I will always be grateful for that experience. 

en: Are there any role models or mentors who have helped you along the way?

HS: I’ve been fortunate enough to have excellent role models throughout my career in science. During my undergraduate experiences, I was lucky to work in two amazing labs, those of Alison Sherwood and Eoin Brodie. Both researchers left a mark on me because of their passion for science, professionalism, and creativity. Additionally, the guidance from my Scripps PhD advisor, Paul Jensen, and all the older graduate students and postdocs in his lab have been crucial in allowing me to develop as a scientist while I’ve been here. 

en: What are some of the challenges you face as a student?

HS: I came to Scripps just as the pandemic was starting, which made it challenging to adjust initially. It was an unusual experience, and at first, I was unsure if I was meant to be here. However, I have now settled into a rhythm and I am fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people. 

en: What are your plans post-Scripps?

HS: After I graduate from Scripps, I would like to continue in a postdoctoral scholar position that allows me to combine my passion for microbial ecology, natural product chemistry, and biotechnology. Alternatively, I may decide to explore the possibility of working in industry if I can find a position that allows me to pursue these interests. Above all, I hope to continue to give back to the next generation of scientists as a mentoring force, and to find myself doing work that is meaningful to the communities around me.