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Recent Columns

Rewind to YIM 2012 with Sanjeev Galande
Nandita Jayaraj
In this new series, leading up to YIM 2024, researchers who have attended YIMs from the past tell us about what it was like for them back then, what they took away from the experience, how things have changed, their ideas for future YIMs, and tips for the newest generation of life scientists gearing up for their first meeting. Sanjeev Galande is a cell biologist at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, and in this interview, he shares his YIM experience with Nandita Jayaraj.
Posted on Nov 30, 2023 in Personal Experience & Networking and Collaboration
Attending a conference as a PhD researcher? Simple tips to make the most out of the experience
Karishma Kaushik
In this PhD café article, Karishma S Kaushik, IndiaBioscience, recounts her transformative experience at an American Society for Microbiology (ASM) conference during her PhD, highlighting mentorship, networking, and professional growth. She emphasises the conference's value beyond scientific input, offering tips for maximising benefits, including attending diverse sessions, and following up post the event.
Posted on Nov 27, 2023 in Career Development, Personal Experience & Networking and Collaboration

Conversations Older →
- From proteins and pathways to policy: A conversation with Vid Nukala
  Vid Nukala & Ankita Rathore
  In this conversation, Vid Nukala, Senior Community Engagement Officer and Head - Government Relations, Global Activities at EMBO, Heidelberg, discusses the interplay between science and policy, the key actors and issues in science policy, and how researchers can get involved in science policy.
  Posted on May 08, 2023 in Career Development, Policy & Personal Experience
- 10 Leaders, 10 Questions: Anuradha Lohia
  Sumedha Sengupta & Shreya Ghosh
  Anuradha Lohia is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the Presidency University, Kolkata. She served as the founding Chief Executive Officer of the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance from 2009-2012. She is the recipient of several prestigious national and international grants and awards. In this interview, she chats with IndiaBioscience about her thoughts on leadership.
  Posted on Jul 25, 2022 in Women in Science, Advice & Leadership
Education Older →
- Catching food freshness in real time: An undergraduate biology experiment
  Rohini Karandikar
  Food spoilage is covered in undergraduate biology courses with limited scope for practical experience. This article describes a simple module that not only helps students explore the topic experimentally but also develop a deeper understanding of various scientific concepts and gain experience in design thinking.
  Posted on Nov 24, 2023 in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Undergraduate, Research & Education
- Transitioning to a university life from school: An educator’s perspective
  Upasana Sarma
  Undergraduate students endure a transition phase as they leave the protected environs of a school to enter a college or a university. This phase comes with its challenges and celebrations, and educators play a significant part in it. In this article, Upasana Sarma, an educator from REVA University, Bengaluru throws light on some of the responsibilities that educators have in this phase of their students’ lives.
  Posted on Nov 20, 2023
Exploring Science Older →
- The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 – the ‘what’ and the ‘how’?
  Joel P. Joseph
  The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 in India aims to enhance research funding in universities and colleges, yet concerns persist regarding its autonomy and operational effectiveness. In this article from our current conversation series, Joel P. Joseph discusses the 'what' and 'how' of the NRF bill.
  Posted on Nov 06, 2023 in Policy, Funding & Ethics
- What’s new in peer review? Initiatives by the academic community
  Sunaina Singh
  Traditional peer review processes are known for being opaque and long-drawn, causing significant delays in publication and much anxiety to the authors. Thanks to the academic community's efforts, the process is evolving to reduce the time burden and increase transparency and inclusivity. This article describes some of the novel peer review models and their pros and cons.
  Posted on Sep 26, 2022 in Career Development, Policy & Research
Indian Scenario Older →
- The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 – the ‘what’ and the ‘how’?
  Joel P. Joseph
  The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 in India aims to enhance research funding in universities and colleges, yet concerns persist regarding its autonomy and operational effectiveness. In this article from our current conversation series, Joel P. Joseph discusses the 'what' and 'how' of the NRF bill.
  Posted on Nov 06, 2023 in Policy, Funding & Ethics
- Can Jeewanu particles provide some clues about the origins of life?
  Debraj Manna
  In the intriguing world of Science Gallery Bengaluru’s exhibition, CARBON, an ongoing experiment by researchers from the Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, broadly relates to the question of the origins of life from non-living sub-components. Jīvāṇu, as this exhibit is named, is a replicative study based on a previous study by Indian researchers to determine whether simple chemicals can form the building blocks of life, thereby giving rise to a precursor of living cells.
  Posted on Oct 02, 2023 in Outreach, Science History & Events
Journey of a YI Older →
- Setting up a pharmacology lab in India - Lessons learned as a mentor
  Vinod Tiwari
  Vinod Tiwari is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology of the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi. In the eleventh article of our JOYI series, he shares the hurdles he encountered while setting up a pharmacology lab in India as a young investigator.
  Posted on Feb 24, 2023 in Personal Experience, Young Investigators & Mentorship
- Home calling- Completing the circle
  Bhuvan Pathak
  Bhuvan Pathak is an Assistant Professor at Biological and Life Sciences department of the Ahmedabad University, Gujarat. In the tenth article of our JOYI series, she shares her journey as a plant biologist returning back to her roots in India for contributing to biotechnology-based research in crop improvement.
  Posted on Feb 17, 2023 in Women in Science, Personal Experience & Young Investigators
Opinion Older →
- Everything everywhere all about Extracellular Vesicles
  Swagatama Mukherjee
  Swagatama Mukherjee, a research student at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, is studying Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) derived from Glioblastoma (GBM), an incredibly aggressive brain tumour. In this opinion article, Swagatama talks about her research and the untapped potential of EVs, which holds great promise for scientific advancements and understanding various diseases.
  Posted on May 29, 2023 in Personal Experience
- Navigating the early-career track as a faculty fellow in the Indian science ecosystem
  Karishma Kaushik
  Karishma S Kaushik returned to India in 2018 as a Ramalingaswami fellow to start her independent research group at Savitribai Phule Pune University. Now, as a fifth-year faculty fellow in the Indian science ecosystem, in this article, she shares specific considerations to enable colleagues in navigating this professional opportunity.
  Posted on Jan 09, 2023 in Women in Science, Personal Experience & Young Investigators
@IndiaBioscience Older →
- Rewind to YIM 2012 with Sanjeev Galande
  Nandita Jayaraj
  In this new series, leading up to YIM 2024, researchers who have attended YIMs from the past tell us about what it was like for them back then, what they took away from the experience, how things have changed, their ideas for future YIMs, and tips for the newest generation of life scientists gearing up for their first meeting. Sanjeev Galande is a cell biologist at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, and in this interview, he shares his YIM experience with Nandita Jayaraj.
  Posted on Nov 30, 2023 in Personal Experience & Networking and Collaboration
- Rewind to YIM 2011 with Swati Patankar
  Nandita Jayaraj
  In this new series, leading up to YIM 2024, researchers who have attended YIMs from the past tell us about what it was like for them back then, what they took away from the experience, how things have changed, their ideas for future YIMs, and tips for the newest generation of life scientists gearing up for their first meeting. Swati Patankar is a molecular parasitologist at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, and in this interview, she shares her YIM experience with Nandita Jayaraj.
  Posted on Nov 15, 2023 in Personal Experience, YIM & Young Investigators
PhD Cafe Older →
- Attending a conference as a PhD researcher? Simple tips to make the most out of the experience
  Karishma Kaushik
  In this PhD café article, Karishma S Kaushik, IndiaBioscience, recounts her transformative experience at an American Society for Microbiology (ASM) conference during her PhD, highlighting mentorship, networking, and professional growth. She emphasises the conference's value beyond scientific input, offering tips for maximising benefits, including attending diverse sessions, and following up post the event.
  Posted on Nov 27, 2023 in Career Development, Personal Experience & Networking and Collaboration
- Empathy: An important ingredient for a rewarding PhD journey
  Aditi Jain
  In this PhD cafe article, Aditi Jain, Development Editor, ACS Publications, emphasises the importance of empathy in academic settings, particularly research labs, for fostering a supportive and innovative environment. Cultivating empathy enhances relationships, supports colleagues during challenging times, and ultimately contributes to a positive and successful academic experience.
  Posted on Oct 23, 2023 in Personal Experience, Advice & Science communication
Stories from Scientists Older →
- 10 Women, 10 Questions: Aditi Kothiyal
  Ankita Rathore
  Aditi Kothiyal, Assistant Teaching Professor, Creative Learning, at IIT Gandhinagar, discusses her passion for understanding how people learn through making things and the role of social robots in education. In this interview, Aditi also shares her experiences and offers advice to young women aspiring to pursue careers in STEM, encouraging them to adapt and grow through diverse interests and roles.
  Posted on Oct 09, 2023 in Other, Personal Experience, Science communication & Education
- 10 Women, 10 Questions: Anita Mary George
  Aishwarya Jain
  Anita Mary George, a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence fellow, Stony Brook University, New York, shares insights into her current research, focusing on investigating sponge microbiomes and metagenomics. In this interview, Anita takes us on an unconventional journey through her experiences as a marine biologist and offers invaluable guidance to aspiring women scientists.
  Posted on Jul 24, 2023 in Women in Science & Personal Experience
Funding Older →
- The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 – the ‘what’ and the ‘how’?
  Joel P. Joseph
  The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 in India aims to enhance research funding in universities and colleges, yet concerns persist regarding its autonomy and operational effectiveness. In this article from our current conversation series, Joel P. Joseph discusses the 'what' and 'how' of the NRF bill.
  Posted on Nov 06, 2023 in Policy, Funding & Ethics
- HFSP: Helping researchers make bold career moves
  Ankita Rathore, Anjana Badrinarayanan & Garima Rani
  In this article, part of community voices for our international grants awareness program (iGAP), Anjana and Garima share how the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) played an instrumental role in helping them make bold career moves and transform their research careers.
  Posted on May 15, 2023 in Career Development, Funding & Advice
Featured Authors
- Anil Kumar Challa
- Asim Auti
- Urvashi Bhattacharyya
  Urvashi (Raheja) Bhattacharyya is a Senior Research Analyst with StudyMode with a Ph.D in Neuroscience from NCBS, Bangalore. She loves writing about education and health care and has been associated with IndiaBioscience since 2015.