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Pradeep Natarajan Reflects on 10 Years of Teaching Genetics and Inspiring Future Medical Innovators

Pradeep Natarajan/X

Aug 23, 2025, 17:32

Pradeep Natarajan Reflects on 10 Years of Teaching Genetics and Inspiring Future Medical Innovators

Pradeep Natarajan, Director of Preventive Cardiology and Fireman Endowed Chair in Vascular Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, shared on X:

“I’m now in my 10th year of teaching genetics to 1st year Harvard Medical School students in the classroom. Each year, I learn as much from them as they (hopefully) learn from me. Some things I’ve learned / appreciated.

First, these folks are incredibly intelligent and creative. Over the years, questions have been reframed in ways that make me rethink how I explain concepts. It’s a boon to deeply revisit fundamentals annually in one’s field.

Engagement is critical. Placing early learners in the ‘what would you do if you were the doctor?’ scenario in case-based discussions transforms passive learners into active thinkers.

Relevance is key. Linking biochemistry, physiology, and genetics to real-world clinical scenarios makes foundational material stick.

Medicine isn’t static. We discuss the arc of evidence generation for current notions and contemporary research studies and infrastructure, building on top of (or challenging) these notions. While students want to do well on tests, they appreciate seeing knowledge as evolving.

Relatedly, gaps are as important as facts. Many discoveries start from clinical observations that didn’t fit the textbook. Students should feel empowered to question dogma and see unanswered questions as opportunities for research.

Most won’t become geneticists, which is fine. The point of teaching genetics is to build transferable skills: Bayesian reasoning, clinical judgment, connecting biology to the bedside, and understanding some of the technological advances shaping medicine.

So after 10 years, here’s my biggest lesson: teaching medicine isn’t only about transmitting knowledge but also nurturing curiosity, bridging science to humanity, and inspiring the next generation to push the field forward.”

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