To the Search Committee:

I am happy to write a very strong letter concerning Venugopala Reddy Gonehal (“Venu”), to assist the your committee in considering him for a faculty appointment. I have had the pleasure of interacting with him closely, as he was one of the first students in my microscopy lecture and lab courses (Caltech allows post-docs to enroll). Following that, he worked intensely (often more than a day a week) in the Biological Imaging Center, which I direct. Being able to watch him at work in several different settings allows me to write a well-informed and very strong endorsement of his application.

Venu has been involved in a very demanding set of studies - following developmental processes as they take place. I’m sure others will praise the results of these studies; I can comment on the process, given that so much of the early effort happened in my home court. Venu was fearless in learning new techniques and applying them to his research problems. He took all we had to teach concerning our approaches for imaging in vertebrate embryos and rapidly applied it to his research program. Given the challenges involved, his trail-blazing ability was very impressive. Beyond that, he was able to learn new techniques elsewhere, and then brought these techniques back to us (this exactly what makes managing a multi-user facility so enjoyable for us). The hard work and drive he invested in his experimental design and execution places him among the best post-docs I have known.

Venu will be an excellent colleague. For example, he showed an excellent ability to interact with the very demanding group of post-doctoral fellows and staff in the Biological Imaging Center. Over the years, I have found that only the very best can hold their own against this group. I’m pleased to report that Venu greatly impressed this group, not only with his ability, but his attitude towards science. He was clearly one of the most popular of the heavy users of our facilities.

I have had the opportunity to discuss the future of his research with Venu on several occasions. I’ve always found these discussions enjoyable and enlightening. He is just the sort of colleague any of us would like to have in the lab next door, making me certain he will be a great catch for a faculty post at your university.

Sincerely,

Scott E. Fraser, Ph.D.

Director, Biological Imaging Center

Director, Caltech Brain Imaging Center