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Recent Columns

Call for a national strategy to make biomedical research more human-relevant
P Surat
Scientists are increasingly lobbying for non-animal models for biomedical research, given that subtle genetic differences between humans and animals can lead to pronounced differences in disease severity. Advanced technologies such as organs-on-chips are showing potential to make biomedical research more human-relevant. Surat reports on a recent virtual event that initiated a dialogue on the possibilities and challenges of implementing human-relevant models and frameworks in India.

Posted on May 10, 2021 in Health & Medicine, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Policy & Events
Alumni-Student Mentoring: A Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
Charu D. Rawat & Gunwant Singh Atwal
Students face many dilemmas and uncertainties as they commence their journeys towards a fulfilling career. A little guidance from someone who had once been in their shoes might be just what they need to get started in the right direction. In this article, educator Charu Dogra Rawat and student Gunwant Singh Atwal from Ramjas College, University of Delhi, write about an initiative with a similar purpose – an alumni-student mentorship programme that they and their colleagues started in the College.
Posted on Apr 30, 2021 in Career Development, Undergraduate & Mentorship

Conversations Older →
- A computational tool that can rapidly identify and analyse coronavirus mutations
  Susheela Srinivas
  With several new COVID variants emerging in recent months, the importance of analysing and drawing insights from vast amounts of viral genome sequencing data cannot be understated. To address this need, A team of researchers at the Advanced Centre for Treatment Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, have come up with a computational tool called the Infectious Pathogen Detector (IPD).
  Posted on Mar 30, 2021 in Health & Medicine & COVID-19
- Building an international mental health support group for people in science
  Zill-e-Anam
  Jaishree Subrahmanium is a botanist who did her PhD in ecological genomics from the French National Institute of Agricultural Research. She has been working with Lotus STEMM, a Canadian NGO working on representing South Asian women in STEM careers, where she established a mental health support community -‘Paksh’. We spoke with Jaishree about her experience with this initiative and lessons from the same.
  Posted on Mar 04, 2021 in Networking and Collaboration & Mental Health
Education Older →
- Alumni-Student Mentoring: A Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
  Charu D. Rawat & Gunwant Singh Atwal
  Students face many dilemmas and uncertainties as they commence their journeys towards a fulfilling career. A little guidance from someone who had once been in their shoes might be just what they need to get started in the right direction. In this article, educator Charu Dogra Rawat and student Gunwant Singh Atwal from Ramjas College, University of Delhi, write about an initiative with a similar purpose – an alumni-student mentorship programme that they and their colleagues started in the College.
  Posted on Apr 30, 2021 in Career Development, Undergraduate & Mentorship
- Teaching evidence-based conservation
  Andrea Phillott
  Conservation research can be key to making effective conservation policies, but only when the policymakers are trained to understand and critically analyse its findings. In this article, Andrea D. Phillott highlights numerous resources that can help educators train students – future conservationists – in the use of evidence-based conservation. Phillott is a Professor in Environmental Studies and teaches Conservation Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Studies at FLAME University, Pune.
  Posted on Apr 08, 2021 in Environmental Sciences, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Biology, Teaching, Undergraduate & Education
Exploring Science Older →
- Why do we have so many different tests for COVID-19?
  Somdatta Karak
  From RT-PCR to rapid antibody kits to sewage surveillance - It is easy to become confused by the variety of different tests currently available for COVID-19. In this article, Somdatta explains the different ways in which each of these tests work, the pros and cons of each method, and the nuances involved in interpreting the results obtained from each of these tests.
  Posted on Nov 20, 2020 in Biotechnology & COVID-19
- Open Science responses during the COVID-19 pandemic
  N Rajendra Prasad
  The COVID-19 pandemic, while affecting the lives and work of scientists all over the globe, has also enabled an outpouring of generosity and innovation when it comes to rapid and open sharing of research outputs. During the International Open Access Week 2020, we examine some of the initiatives taken by various national and international organisations to improve global access to COVID-19 research.
  Posted on Oct 20, 2020 in COVID-19, Intellectual Property & Database/Resource
Indian Scenario Older →
- Call for a national strategy to make biomedical research more human-relevant
  P Surat
  Scientists are increasingly lobbying for non-animal models for biomedical research, given that subtle genetic differences between humans and animals can lead to pronounced differences in disease severity. Advanced technologies such as organs-on-chips are showing potential to make biomedical research more human-relevant. Surat reports on a recent virtual event that initiated a dialogue on the possibilities and challenges of implementing human-relevant models and frameworks in India.
  
  Posted on May 10, 2021 in Health & Medicine, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Policy & Events
- Impostor syndrome - not just a feeling
  Divya Vishwanath
  Many successful academics continue to be plagued by feelings of “not belonging” or “not being good enough”. Some even hold an implicit belief that they have defrauded everyone around them into believing in their capability. In this next article in our mental health series, Divya delves into the “impostor syndrome” and some possible solutions for this pervasive mental health challenge.
  Posted on Apr 29, 2021 in Advice & Mental Health
Journey of a YI Older →
- Roots before wings: Setting up a laboratory as a new investigator
  Himanshu Shekhar
  Himanshu Shekhar is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar. He was one of the Young Investigators selected to attend YIM 2020 in Mahabalipuram. In this invited article, he talks about the importance of learning and applying strategic management skills when a researcher is first setting up their independent lab.
  Posted on Feb 03, 2021 in Personal Experience, Advice & Young Investigators
- The circle of trust and mentoring in a YI’s journey
  Sudhir Ranganath
  Sudhir Ranganath is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Siddaganga Institute of Technology (SIT). He is one of the Young Investigators selected to attend YIM 2020 in Mahabalipuram. In this invited article, he talks about the role his mentors, collaborators, and scientific network have played in facilitating the process of setting up his lab.
  Posted on Feb 11, 2020 in Career Development, Young Investigators & Mentorship
Opinion Older →
- COVID-19 has exacerbated India’s hidden mental health pandemic
  Subhra Sarkar
  Among COVID-19’s many effects on society, one of the most insidious is the way it has affected global mental health, giving rise to new challenges and aggravating pre-existing issues. In this article, Subhra Sarkar, who is currently pursuing a PhD in psychiatric nursing, discusses the ways in which the pandemic has affected the mental health of a large segment of the Indian population.
  Posted on Apr 27, 2021 in COVID-19 & Mental Health
- Juggling research and parenting: Reducing the baby-penalty
  Swarna Mathre & Madhumala Sadanandappa
  Becoming a parent can be an exhilarating experience for many researchers. However, it can also bring challenges, both on the professional and personal front, especially if one is in the early-career stage. In this article, Swarna and Madhumala discuss the "baby-penalty" and some strategies that early-career researchers can use to better prepare for this stage in their lives.
  Posted on Mar 26, 2021 in Women in Science, Career Development & Advice
@IndiaBioscience Older →
- YIM 2021 - A word from the organisers
  Shreya Ghosh
  The 13th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM 2021) is going to be held in a virtual format from 17-19 March, 2021. We asked the organisers of YIM2020 (Imroze Khan, Ashoka University, Sonipat; Karishma Kaushik, Institute of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University; Vasudharani Devanathan, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati; Shantala Hari Dass and Smita Jain, IndiaBioscience) a few questions about the upcoming meeting. Here is what they had to say.
  Posted on Mar 17, 2021 in YIM, Young Investigators & Events
- DISHA: A Career Resource Book for Life Science and Biotechnology Students
  Subhash Chandra Lakhotia
  In Feburary 2020, IndiaBioscience launched Disha, an eBook which provides comprehensive guidance on navigating the landscape of science careers in India. Written by Suman Govil, this book compiles information about multiple career options open to life science and biotechnology students in India and discusses strategies for professional development, job search, and higher education. The following book review by SC Lakhotia (Banaras Hindu University (BHU)), was first published in Current Science, Vol. 120, NO. 3 (10 Feb 2021).
  Posted on Feb 22, 2021
PhD Cafe Older →
- An Introvert’s Guide to Networking
  Vanshika Singh
  Vanshika Singh is a PhD student at the National Centre for Brain Research (NBRC), Manesar. In this next article in our PhD Cafe series, she writes about why networking can be challenging for an introverted graduate student and the strategies that one can employ to derive the benefits of networking while remaining true to their personality.
  Posted on Oct 04, 2019 in Networking and Collaboration
- Do’s and Don’ts for a healthy student-advisor relationship
  Parul Anup
  Parul Anup recently completed her PhD from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. In this next article in our PhD Cafe series, she talks about the expectations that graduate students and Principal Investigators (PIs) have from each other, and how keeping these in mind can help in building a healthy mentor-mentee relationship.
  Posted on Sep 26, 2019 in Advice & Mentorship
Stories from Scientists Older →
- Researchers post-lockdown: Finding the silver lining in a dark cloud
  Karla P. Mercado-Shekhar
  Previously in this series, we have asked scientists from different backgrounds, disciplines and career stages to reflect upon their life in lockdown and how it has influenced how they approach doing science. In this article, Karla P. Mercado-Shekhar, Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar writes about the process of adjusting to the new normal, and some positive changes in the way we communicate and collaborate that may have resulted from this experience.
  Posted on Feb 19, 2021 in COVID-19 & Personal Experience
- Researchers in Lockdown: Breaking boundaries, building bridges
  Mayuri Rege
  In this series, we ask scientists from different backgrounds, disciplines and career stages to reflect upon their life in lockdown and how it has influenced how they approach doing science. In this article, Mayuri Rege from Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, writes about how the lockdown has transformed scientific networking, especially for those for whom international travel was always a barrier. This article was first published on COVID Gyan.
  Posted on Sep 05, 2020 in COVID-19, Career Development & Networking and Collaboration
Funding Older →
- 10 pointers for the last mile of the EMBO-YIP application
  Arun Shukla & Shantala Hari Dass
  The Young Investigator Programme (YIP), offered by the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), is open to young investigators in the life sciences who have started their independent research groups within the last 4 years. YIP facilitates and supports the career advancement of these early-career scientists via opportunities to network and collaborate. Arun K. Shukla, Associate Professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) and an EMBO YI shares his 10 pointers for the last mile of the application process
  Posted on Mar 10, 2021 in Career Development, Funding & Young Investigators
- iGAP: Helping Indian researchers access international grants
  Shantala Hari Dass & Zill-e-Anam
  In 2019, IndiaBioscience launched the International Grants Awareness Program (iGAP), an initiative that aims to raise awareness about international funding opportunities available to Indian researchers, as well as to train and motivate them to apply for the same. This article looks back at some of our past activities and provides a snapshot of all the resources we have created under this project.
  Posted on Feb 15, 2021 in Career Development, Funding & Database/Resource
- Awardee-in-focus : Dimple Notani, EMBO Global Investigator
  Shantala Hari Dass & Zill-e-Anam
  Posted on Jan 08 in Career Development, Funding, Advice
- Opportunity for research excellence through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowships
  Zill-e-Anam
  Posted on Jul 16, 2020 in Career Development, Funding
Featured Authors
- Anil Kumar Challa
- Asim Auti
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- 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.