Which YIMs have you been part of?

I had attended the 1st YIM in 2009, and I took a lead on organising the 2014 one in Hyderabad. In 2018, I became part of IndiaBioscience’s Board, and I’ve attended every YIM since.

Tell us about where you were in your career & research back in 2014.

At the Lab of Cell Signalling, we work on phosphate-rich small molecules. In 2014, I was six years into my independent career. Around that time, we had just set up to be able to start using a mouse model. Getting there was a big struggle for me because CDFD moved campuses a lot. Things were finally chugging along and we had published our first few papers. Having established myself, I felt it was the right time to start engaging more with the rest of the community.

Tell us about where you are in your career & research today - how have things changed?

Some things change and others don’t. Seeing new students coming in with their enthusiasm to take up new challenges is rewarding - it’s what keeps me going. Now that I've completed 15 years as an independent PI and reached the level of Professor, the number of responsibilities increase. I'm on many, many committees - some very interesting, some very annoying (laughs) - so that takes up a lot of my time. Saturdays are the only day without any administrative work so this is when I make time for the lab and academic work.

Can you recall for us how you came to be involved with YIM?

Back in 2009, the community of young PIs in the life sciences in India was not very large. We were part of the wave of postdocs who had done well abroad, and were looking at India to set up our labs. A bunch of us came back, and we were connected by email. This is when NCBS organised the first YIM in Trivandrum. I think it was by invitation at the time, so I signed up.

Tell us about one meaningful connection you made at a YIM.

It was at the 2009 YIM that I exchanged notes with Sagar Sengupta, who was at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, at the time. This resulted in my first collaboration and the first paper to come out of my lab. I was the corresponding author, Sagar was the collaborator, and my PhD student Rathan Singh Jadav was the first author. This was the first of many collaborations to come.

Can you tell us one memorable behind-the-scenes story from your time organising a YIM?

IndiaBioscience was in a churning at the time (early 2014). The director who was there at the time I joined as organiser left midway, and the Associate Director took over. We had already begun the organisational work with the team in Hyderabad and Bangalore, when the new Co-Director was appointed, Nandini Rajamani (who is now at IISER Tirupati). Nandini was late to the party and she had to take on a lot. She had many new ideas and so we changed many things such as the poster design and the logos at the last minute. And she was right!

The stuff we had designed wasn’t so aesthetic and the final poster turned out really beautiful. But at the time, we wondered what was going to happen. Would the abstract book be printed on time? As it turned out, the books came on the morning of the meeting, still smelling of fresh glue. And I think some of the books did fall apart later (laughs).

Describe for us one YIM session that made a strong impression on you?

The icebreaker social in the evening of the first day comes to mind. I felt that if you want it to be a meeting of young people, it cannot be like every other conference with a sitar recital or whatnot. So we put in extra into the budget to get an emcee to organise games for participants. She was very lively, and everyone joined in and had a really good time.

If you could pick the brain of any scientist from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Arthur Kornberg, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on DNA polymerase. What many don’t know is that Kornberg spent a large part of his career working on polyphosphates, something that was considered a ‘molecular fossil’. Polyphosphates are simply a string of phosphates. It used to be dismissed as something that emerged from the prebiotic soup and coalesced into chains, discarded by life and not really very useful. Kornberg, however, thought that there's more to these molecules, and being a biochemist, he set up methods to assay them. He worked on bacterial polyphosphates until he passed away at the age of 90.

He was actually alive at the time I started working on polyphosphates. When I was a postdoc in the US, he still had a lab of two people. I had spoken on the phone with his postdoc, but never had the chance to speak to him. Now that we have been working on this molecule so much, I wish I could have had the opportunity to at least listen to a talk by him, on this part of his story. Nobody really cared about his polyphosphate work back then. Even today, polyphosphate biology is still an emerging field.

If you could add one programme to the next YIM schedule, what would it be?

Like it or not, academia is an extremely competitive profession. And like all competitive professions, we do sometimes climb on top of each other to reach the top. We also impose a lot of ethical restrictions on ourselves, for example, our personal ambition should in no way overtake the sanctity of our data. But ambition should not subliminally influence our students to take shortcuts. There is the pressure of time, being expected to produce data, produce papers, keep showing progress, graduating students on time, all while doing something for which you have no guarantee of the outcome.

I think we need to have discussions around ethics more often.

Added to that are the frustrations associated with doing science on the Indian budget and restrictions. With all this, it's very difficult to walk straight and narrow. There are lots of grey zones associated with ethics in science. And I think we need to discuss that a little more, have open discussions as we have had in the past about gender and inclusivity.

What message would you like to pass to someone who is attending their first YIM in 2024?

I wasn't aware how competitive attending YIMs has become. As much as I feel YIMs should not be exclusive, it’s so hard for that to happen. The number of outstanding people is increasing, but the number of seats cannot. I would just say, please keep applying, even if you weren’t invited the last time.

YIMs are inclusive, they are fun. They make you feel that you're not in this alone. There are many people with you who share the same joys and the same frustrations. So, please apply. It's worth it.

Which YIMs have you been part of?

I was at the 2010 YIM in Kolkata as a postdoc, and then at the 2013 YIM at Jodhpur as an organiser.

Tell us about where you were in your career & research back in 2013.

I had joined Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali in August 2011, but it was only in April 2013 that we got our lab space. It was an overwhelming time for me.

Our lab works on the small free living nematode called Caenorhabditis elegans. One of the questions our lab was asking (and still is) was how the cell surface molecules allow for functioning of the synapse. These molecules are known to bring cells closer together, but they could also be involved in regulating neurotransmitter release from neurons or maintaining postsynaptic receptors on muscles. We could start working on worms fairly early on, even before we had a lab, but since it was a small space that many people shared, we had lots of problems with contamination. It was quite a trying time. Moreover, around then, Chandigarh had a big power outage. You can keep C. elegans alive indefinitely at -80℃ but because of the power outage, we lost everything! At the time, it was very worrying, but looking back, I realise these things happen.

When I was asked to help organise YIM 2013, I was worried because our first set of experiments were taking off, and things were tricky.

Thankfully, I did not have to do very much. It was largely the IndiaBioscience team that was most involved. It felt like I was just a part of the program committee. I think it worked out well.

Tell us about where you are in your career & research today - how have things changed?

Around four years ago, I moved from IISER Mohali to IISc. We still work on C. elegans, but apart from looking at cell surface molecules, we also look at circuits. We ask questions like “how do neurons talk to each other” by using small molecules called neuropeptides. We look at how these neuropeptides allow one neuron to communicate with another one that is some distance away from it. This is something that my first graduate student, Ashwani Bhardwaj at IISER Mohali decided to follow up on after he saw a very nice phenotype. I had convinced him to look at cell surface molecules, but after a few years, he decided that looking at neuropeptides was more interesting. He used to show me the data, and it was so interesting that I could not tell him to stop working (laughs). He went on to do very well, but most significantly, he managed to influence a lot of people around him to recognise how interesting looking at circuits could be. So this is something that we work on now.

Can you recall for us how you came to be involved with YIM?

I remember this very clearly. It was thanks to Sandhya Koushika. I had met Sandhya at a Gordon Research Conference in 2008. She had just started a lab and she told me about the YIMs. At the time I was a postdoc at Massachusetts General Hospital. Sandhya suggested that I apply for the next YIM if I was serious about coming back to India. I know she has tried really hard to get more C. elegans researchers back to India. Now we have quite a few of us here!

Tell us about one meaningful connection you made at a YIM.

During the 2010 YIM, the postdocs were rooming with the young PIs. My roommate was Madhulika Dixit from IIT Madras. I remember asking her a lot of questions. She gave me a lot of information about what to expect when setting up my lab. It was a very, very useful experience.

Can you tell us one memorable behind-the-scenes story from your time organising a YIM?

To be honest, I don't remember much from 2013. I do remember, the venue was very beautiful. And I remember speaking to a lot of postdocs, and it seemed to me that they all found it extremely useful. We had a very nice cohort of people from all over the world to give talks and share their insights. I think I was just really stressed out at the time as a very new PI whose lab wasn’t yet set up.

Describe for us one YIM session that made a strong impression on you?

In 2010, there was a wonderful talk by the neurobiologist Susan McConnell. Her presentation was fantastic. I loved the way she talked about her scientific journey. After that, I actually went and read up on some of her work. She even has a talk on ibiology on how to make good presentations. I talk about her work when I teach developmental neurobiology.

If you could pick the brain of any scientist from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Genetics is one of the few things I really enjoy, and I finally get to teach it at IISc. So it would probably be Gregor Mendel. No doubt his work was interesting, but I would love to know if his results were actually so clean! What did the numbers really look like?

If you could add one programme to the next YIM schedule, what would it be?

I think the funding situation is becoming very different now than when I started. I think it would be useful to know what kind of problems are going to get funded. I know that in the YIM that I attended, most of us were from basic sciences. Since then, I’m wondering if there has been a massive shift to more technology-driven or medical-driven work. Is this the kind of work that is getting more funds these days? Even if you are a basic scientist, how can you start collaborating with people who can enable you to go from the bench to the bedside… a session that would allow for some sort of crosstalk, I think. Maybe it’s already happening.

What message would you like to pass to someone who is attending their first YIM in 2024?

My message is for the postdocs attending: Talk to a lot of people, and especially to the young faculty.

This will give you a very good idea of what to expect and how long the application process at different institutions may be. These are the people who have just been through that process. For me, at least, it really helped to know what I was getting into. If I hadn’t gone to the YIM, I would definitely not have had a decent picture of what to expect. I think YIM helped me get a lot of clarity on how to expect the application process and the lab set-up process to be as a starting PI in India.

Which YIMs have you been part of?

Besides YIM 2012 in Pune which I co-organised, I also attended the 2010 and 2011 YIMs.

Tell us about where you were in your career & research back in 2012.

This was an exciting phase in my career. I had moved from National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, to Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune in the middle of 2010. It was a two-step move, as it took over a year for my lab and infrastructure to be set up at the new IISER. When I started my career in NCCS in 2001, I was working only on the mouse model system. But this changed in 2009 after the Centers of Excellence proposal I wrote along with Rakesh Mishra, Vidita Vaidya, Surendra Ghaskadbi, Sanjeev Khosla and LS Shashidhara got approved. The grant was activated in IISER Pune, so the centre was getting set up there. Twenty-two people were hired as part of this project across all collaborators’ labs, and by 2012 it really took roots.

This was the time I was exploring different model systems, and learned about Hydra. At the peak of the programme, we had six model systems in the lab: three invertebrate (Hydra, C.elegans, Drosophila), and three vertebrate (zebrafish, mouse and human). And the big question that we wanted to solve was, how did epigenetic regulation evolve? Everybody contributed in their different ways using different model systems to solve different parts of this big problem. So I was really expanding my lab, learning new ways of doing science, employing new techniques, managing new resources.

Tell us about where you are in your career & research today - how have things changed (in your life & in your area of work)?

Oh, it's a big change, because after over two decades, I am no longer working in a public institution. Now I am a Dean at Shiv Nadar University which is a multidisciplinary private institution. Moving from NCCS, a primarily cell biology institution, to IISER Pune, had already broadened my horizons because I was able to talk to people in physics, chemistry and mathematics, as well.

At SNU, I am talking to people in arts, management, economics and am exposed to new things. This has completely changed my perspective of looking at science and other aspects in general.

We are also in the third phase of the Centers of Excellence Program, now at SNU. Once again, I had to create all the facilities required for research in epigenetics, which includes genomics, proteomics, and computational analysis. Further, there was no animal facility, so that too had to be built up from scratch. Once again I was back to the drawing board. We have created the infrastructure now, got the equipment and people on board. In less than two years, a new 30,000 sq ft facility is ready. And now the animal models are moving in. Things have moved pretty fast in two years!

Can you recall for us how you came to be involved with YIM?

Soon after YIM 2011 concluded, I got a call from Ron Vale. He had visited IISER Pune a couple of times and he knew that I was moving there. He wanted IISER Pune to be the organiser so he asked me to take the lead. To make it a team effort we onboarded Roop Mallik from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai, and Krishnaveni Mishra from University of Hyderabad. Having been to many YIMs in India and in the US, I was quite familiar with the format. By mid-2011, we started planning who would be the speakers, the panels and various sessions. Ron also played a role in calling leading investigators from outside of India; we couldn’t have got the Nobel laureates (Michael Bishop and Venki Ramakrishnan) without his help!

Tell us about one meaningful connection you made at a YIM?

Meeting young postdocs and investigators was quite enjoyable. Afterwards, many of them sent letters stating what they enjoyed, learnt, and suggestions about what could be done in future meetings. It was rewarding to see how much information they could gain during the meeting, and how much they could give back.

Interacting closely with Ron during those intense weeks showed me how efficient one can be as a scientist as well as an administrator.

I noted his attention to detail; everything from food, to how the participants should move from one end to the other end of the room, the way the scientific sessions should be distributed, who should be where, and all the minute details… And at the same time, he's also an extremely influential and productive scientist. It was a big learning exercise for me.

Can you tell us one memorable behind-the-scenes story from your time organising a YIM?

As a part of the meeting, we had organised some excursions in and around Lonavala. Being from the Pune region, I knew that area well. I suggested a trip to picturesque Buddhist caves in Bhaje which was about a 30-minute drive away from the venue of the meeting. We reached early in the morning and climbed around 200 steps to get to the caves. There were hardly any other tourists there that day. It was so beautiful that nobody wanted to return to the hotel. So we unanimously decided to do the next session there itself. It was a breakout session where the entire group had to divide into three. Each sub-group went into an adjacent cave and the parallel sessions took place inside the caves. I have pictures of Nobel laureates sitting with folded legs on the floor of the caves addressing the young investigators! It went beautifully, because people were engrossed in discussing science, but amidst the serenity of the caves!

Describe for us one YIM session that made a strong impression on you?

There was a talk by Milind Watve about frugal science. Many complain ‘I don't have this facility’ or ‘I don't have enough money for consumables’. One can complain endlessly about what one does not have, but nobody talks about what one can do with what one does have. Even with meagre resources, you can do good science provided you think critically and in a completely new perspective.

Milind spoke about starting a “Katta” lab in Pune, where every evening, undergrads would meet over tea and discuss just about anything… any wild idea about science.

Generations of students have benefited from these meetings. His talk was so engaging that it was the only one that got a standing ovation. The audience would just not stop clapping! I think it was one of the most exciting and memorable talks of YIM 2012.

If you could pick the brain of any scientist from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?

It would have to be GN Ramachandran, the Indian physicist who discovered the Ramachandran Plot, and also proposed the rather unexpected crystal structure of collagen. These were contributions worthy of a Nobel Prize, but unfortunately, he did not win one. I wish to ask him what made him choose this difficult problem, despite being in a place where there were hardly any resources. He was working at the University of Madras.

It’s amazing to imagine that Ramachandran was able to make a contribution so phenomenal that every person who does structural biology would have to use it.

Again it goes to show what Milind had said: you don't need fancy resources to think about an important problem. These days anyone can do next generation sequencing, single cell transcriptomics, etc. because they have access to the gadgets. But that doesn't necessarily mean such an approach helps in solving any big problems, generating path breaking results that would eventually enter textbooks or change a paradigm.

If you could add one programme to the next YIM schedule, what would it be?

I think there should be a session on student mentoring. Dealing with students is becoming an increasingly problematic area for young investigators, especially after the COVID pandemic when expectations about people, life and the profession changed dramatically. Young PIs usually do not have postdocs and other senior staff working with them. They only have rookies working with them, and mentoring and training the young new students to the level of proficiency required to run a competitive research program can be challenging.

Secondly, I think it would be a good idea to include a session on how to make the most out of a situation when funding is low. This is another major issue all of us are experiencing; it is becoming increasingly competitive to get grants. And even if one has grants, it's becoming harder to spend them. Hence, we need to plan properly and that requires training. This is different from grantsmanship as it deals with what you do after getting the grant.

What message would you like to pass to someone who is attending their first YIM in 2024?

The networks that you establish here will really help steer your career especially in the early years when you need the maximum help and support. The relationships you build will really be helpful in addressing many key issues such as personnel, funding, deciding the right type of resource to use, and knowing whom to approach for specific advice. Proactively use this opportunity to make as many connections as possible.

Which YIMs have you been part of?

2011 in Bhubaneswar.

Tell us about where you were in your career & research back in 2011.

I was an associate professor, and getting ready to apply for a promotion. Research wise, the lab had just started getting some nice data from our project on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite has a relict chloroplast (a plant-like organelle), even though it is a human pathogen.

This was also the time I was dealing with a student who had committed fraud in my lab. The student had to leave my lab as an outcome of this. I was at a point in my career where I felt that I should talk about these things, even though it’s difficult to do so and not very pleasant. I recall having a long talk with my department colleague about the need for a course on ethics, on reproducibility, and lab management. So my talk at the YIM was about my lab research as well as these other issues that were important to me.

Tell us about where you are in your career & research today - how have things changed?

I was getting really frustrated with the Plasmodium falciparum projects, because genetically manipulating the parasite is quite difficult, and it was not very reproducible in our hands. So we switched over to another parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which is very similar in many aspects of biology. After getting insights into the biology of both parasites, we have also started doing some drug discovery projects. It’s been a really nice evolution, because in the beginning it was much more basic stuff, and now we are moving in a direction where we can think of applications!

Can you recall for us how you came to be involved with YIM?

Shuba Tole, who I have been friends with since we played in the sandpit in the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) campus as children, called me and asked if I’d like to help organise the 2011 edition of YIM which was to be at Bhubaneswar. I tried to figure out what it would involve and it sounded really nice, so I said yes.

Tell us about any meaningful connections you made at a YIM.

I remember Ron Vale was in full swing. He was very much involved, which was really terrific. Along with Mrinalini Puranik and Saima Aijaz, we did all the planning through email. We organised the whole thing without ever meeting each other! I landed up on the day before the event and when I heard their voices I knew them instantly. I’d talked to them on the phone so many times.

Other than that time organising a YIM, I haven’t attended any of the other ones. By then I had also built my career and network in parasitology by attending parasitology conferences in India. That way I am probably a bit of an outlier because YIM hasn’t really been a huge networking thing for me.

Can you tell us one memorable behind-the-scenes story from your time organising the 2011 YIM?

Actually, Ron Vale being so hands-on made it quite easy. We had conference calls almost every two weeks. He was very clear about who will take care of what. So it was remarkably smooth. I don't remember anything terribly painful or torturous happening [laughs]. Last year I met Ron at a lecture and I asked him if he remembered me. He said ‘Of course, Bhubaneswar, Mayfair Hotel!’. That was really nice! Organising YIM is a pleasant and happy memory for me.

Describe for us one YIM session that made a strong impression on you?

Bonnie Bassler’s session was superb. She spoke about quorum sensing in bacteria and she worked on luminescent bacteria. It was so much fun to listen to her talk. She gave a history of her lab and that was really good. I loved that she started with this weird phenomenon of luminescent bacteria and quorum sensing and from there she took you to a mechanism used for biofilms and for all these clinical applications. She never focused on just the applications though - it was just nice to see this real love for wacky science.

I also remember hearing Bonnie’s partner say at dinner that even someone like her comes home sometimes feeling she is not good enough. That statement stuck with me because she is so phenomenal.

If you could pick the brain of any scientist from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Maybe Ronald Ross (the British scientist who is credited with the discovery of the malaria parasite and its mode of transmission), because I work on malaria, and I’ve read Amitav Ghosh’s Calcutta Chromosome. There are so many imaginations of Ronald Ross’s life so I would like to talk to him about his remarkable discovery and the reality of it.

If you could add one programme to the next YIM schedule, what would it be?

Coming from an institute where there's a lot of interaction with students, I think we need more focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. IIT Bombay has many support systems in place for students and we can do even more, for sure. For example, I had an engineering student come to me after the class and inform me that they had a visual disability [so they were having trouble comprehending]. I wished that the institute’s academic office had told me this before the class started so that I could have planned better. Luckily, this student really liked biology, so it was possible to help him out.

Similarly, it made me sad that the IITs had to be forced to do mission-mode recruitment for reserved categories. As for the number of women faculty in the IITs, this is also low. Institutionally, we could do a lot better. We focus a lot on equipment and funding, which are important, but we have to realise that the world is changing.

What message would you like to pass to someone who is attending their first YIM in 2024?

For many postdocs, the YIM is the first formal place where they get to meet a lot of people from the Indian science community.

Job hunting and networking is all important but once you land up in an institute, it's never easy. I remember what a shock it was coming back to India, where things are relatively slow. Something has to keep you going. For me, it was a feeling that I am back in India, and I can actually make a difference. I strongly feel that there has to be something a little bigger than ‘me, my papers, and my success’.

Which YIMs were you part of?

I was a speaker and mentor at the 1st edition of YIM at Trivandrum, and co-organiser of the 2nd edition of YIM at Kolkata in 2010. In addition to this, I was a speaker and mentor at the 3rd YIM in Bhubaneswar, and a speaker at the 10th anniversary YIM.

Tell us about where you were in your career & research back in 2010.

I had completed 10 years since starting my own lab. All the wild ambitious ideas I had planted had begun to take fruit. I had papers that had been published in Nature Neuroscience and Science. I was back from a sabbatical at Stanford University which I’d funded with my Wellcome Trust Flexible Travel Award. It was a mid-career high, and it was time for me to start giving back.

Tell us about where you are in your career & research today.

Has it been 13 years? I've been fortunate to have had some amazing people join me.

My lab has never been flooded with students, because I don't work on the kinds of things that Indian students know about from their undergraduate education. But I've attracted the unusual ones who are excited to explore new things, really creative people. For the first time, we have recently published an entirely dry lab paper. New directions! I think each student has taken the lab into directions I would never have expected and that's been wonderful.

Another really rewarding angle to my career has been the student academic management portfolios I've had - from Student Matters Coordinator in my department (a portfolio I created when I realised we needed it), to Convener of the Subject Board of Biology, to the Dean of Graduate Studies in 2019. These allowed me opportunities to improve the students’ training experience.

I've made that the centrepiece of my deanship - to promote student satisfaction via improving academic procedures, making rules transparent, implementing surveys, committees that offer support and career guidance, clear FAQs on our website, the quality of student housing, even renovating the TIFR canteen, to name a few.

Can you recall for us how you came to be involved with YIM?

I first heard about YIM from Ron Vale, who created this forum in 2008-09. At the time I was Visiting Associate Professor at Stanford University, on sabbatical with my family. Somebody must have mentioned me to Ron because he phoned me from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). I immediately appreciated this amazing initiative and wanted to help right away. They actually flew me back from Stanford to Trivandrum to be a speaker/mentor! And I was absolutely blown away by the scope, attention to detail, planning and impact of the YIM. Ron and I wrote about YIM for the journal Science.

Can you tell us one memorable behind-the-scenes story from your time organising a YIM?

I think it was in the 2010 meeting that we introduced the new element of flash talks - where every participant had to present their work in 2 minutes and 2 slides. I remember coordinating it, and it was challenging to make sure 40 people could present their work in a limited span of time. It went off really well because we had a preview of every single poster.. This concept has become very popular now.

Tell us about any meaningful connections you made at a YIM.

It was wonderful to connect with Smita Jain the then Executive Director of IndiaBioscience at the 10th anniversary of YIM in Trivandrum. We hit it off, and together we even took on a sexist attendee who was exhibiting inappropriate behaviour at the meeting. That was actually a monumental YIM...

Describe for us one YIM session that made a strong impression on you?

It has to be the one at the 10th anniversary YIM in 2018. On the first day, I happened to have lunch with two amazing women. Both had dealt with sexual harassment and had stood up to their harassers. Speaking to them made me realise how difficult it is to discuss this topic with scientists. I asked the organisers to include a last-minute session. I made a presentation titled ’10 Steps to Sexual Harassment’ which described how small annoying actions and events escalate into something bigger. I spoke on behalf of these women, with their permission, bringing out their lived experiences.

The community has done a disservice to these young people who have spunk, courage and scientific brilliance. We can’t lose them but sadly, we often do. At the end of the session both the women, who had agreed to be identified, got a standing ovation from the audience. Later, I teamed up with LS Shashidhara, one of the co-organisers who had been extremely supportive of this event, to write a “meeting report” for Current Science entitled “Gender-sensitisation in Indian science: attitudes and action items” This report was signed by participants of the 2018 YIM from 47 different institutions.

If you could pick the brain of any scientist from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Lilavati. She is supposed to have been the mathematician Bhaskara’s daughter and he named his treatise after her. There are stories about how she never got married because of a legend involving a pearl. We also hear about the couplets her father wrote to teach her the Pythagoras theorem. But what was her life like? She lived in a different era where girls were only supposed to get married, but that’s the only thing we know about her. What were her hopes and dreams? I would like to ask her that.

If you could add one programme to the next YIM schedule, what would it be?

A session on the responsibility of mentorship - maybe a workshop or role plays. We shouldn’t wait to learn how to be mentors.

While thinking about one’s own future research plans, young investigators should also ask ‘Where can I make the best contribution to the community I will work in?’

That is what is going to make their life rewarding down the road, not merely salaries and grants. If you're going to take a job like this, it is really about how you train the next generation.

What message would you like to pass to someone who is attending their first YIM in 2024?

I find that when a Principal Investigator (PI) starts, they are naturally and understandably very focused on setting up. If you don't set up quickly, you're dead. It consumes their attention, their time, their focus. There’s so much to deal with, right? But I think there's always room to know that now you have somebody else's life under your mentorship, and it's never too early to learn how to do it well. Remember, that you will have incredible power to impact the lives of a lot of bright young people. And that is actually where your contribution will be.

Anil Challa is a molecular geneticist with a special interest in education and outreach. He attended the first ever YIM in 2009 and shared his experience with Nandita Jayaraj.

Which year did you attend your first YIM?

2009, Trivandrum

Tell us about where you were in your career & research back then.

Personal reasons had led me to return to India while pursuing postdoctoral research abroad. I was supposed to go back, but I didn't. It was kind of a murky situation. In the midst of it, an opportunity arose that got me to start a small biotech company with a couple of friends. After a couple of years of getting the company off the ground, I joined the Institute of Life Sciences (now called Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences) in Hyderabad. It was a new institution, and I was probably hired because of my experience with zebrafish as an animal model system. The idea was to establish a fish facility to enable research in drug discovery.

Career wise, I was very green. I was a not-so-successful postdoc, a not-so-successful entrepreneur, a co-founder of a company... I was clueless about where I would stand.

Tell us about where you are in your career & research today - how have things changed?

Today, I am at the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR, and also have an adjunct position at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I do a little bit of research, some amount of undergraduate education, outreach, curriculum-related work, and I also provide research services. Just over a decade ago, I started a new position as the Assistant Director of a transgenic and genetically engineered core facility at UAB providing research services to several investigators and groups within and beyond the university. From then on I have not had an independent lab of my own. In addition, I also focus on research with undergraduate students both in the US and in India.

Can you recall for us how you came to be involved with YIM?

IndiaBioscience didn't exist at that point. I believe I found out about YIM from an email message and I applied. The meeting sounded interesting to me. If I got selected, everything was going to be paid for. Initially I was not selected. But close to the meeting date I got a message that I could participate. I'd never been to Kerala before, so I thought “why not, let's go!” There were many people visiting from the US, and a lot of postdocs, and they were all my peers.

This was the first meeting of its kind. Everybody was either very high energy or apprehensive or confused... so it kind of suited my mind space.

Tell us about one meaningful connection you made at a YIM.

Early one morning, we were on a bus to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple as part of one of the cultural visits. A lady was sitting beside me and we hit it off in our conversation. She introduced herself as Maithili Jog, a teacher at a college in Pune. As I mentioned, I had - and I still have - a very serious interest in undergraduate biology education. I feel very strongly about undergraduates being involved in research. Meeting Maithili started off a very productive exchange with respect to improving undergraduate biology education. This connection took me back to Pune several times. In 2012, we conducted a workshop for college teachers in the city. I still have an association with Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune (IISER Pune), Centre of Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CoESME) and Maharashtra State Development of Educators and Enhancement in Delivery (MS-DEED).

The poster I presented at YIM also spoke about my interest in UG education. During the presentation, Bruce Alberts dropped by and he was very glad to see that somebody dedicated space on their poster for undergraduate education. Bruce and I had a long conversation about innovations in Indian undergraduate education. Somebody like Bruce showing interest concretised in my mind that this is valuable, and that the community values it.

Can you tell us one memorable behind-the-scenes story from your time at a YIM?

I remember Ron Vale was saying something about creating a website which caters to the Indian biology ecosystem. That was the beginning of IndiaBioscience.

We kept in touch and he invited me to write an article about education. I believe that my contribution to IndiaBioscience was their first article in science education. It actually still comes up once-in-a-while during their ‘Throwback Thursday’ posts.

Describe for us one YIM session that made a strong impression on you?

Just the whole experience of interacting with peers and the leadership was a good thing. So was the inception of IndiaBioscience as a portal. I think IndiaBioscience is a very good idea. It's become kind of mainstream right now, so maybe people don't recognise it. I value it, and I use it when needed.

If you could pick the brain of any life scientist from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I would like to go back to the 60s and 70s to meet people like those featured in the book SPACE LIFE MATTER: The Coming of Age of Indian Science by Hari Pulakkat - young scientists who were trained in Europe or the US, and came back to India knowing that there was nothing much here. They could all have found places to work outside and done really well, but something motivated them to come back. I think it's extremely adventurous to do that. I would probably go back to those times to have a conversation with them about their motivations, their challenges, their dreams. And then probably, I could connect what they tell me with what I'm experiencing now.

If you could add one programme to the next YIM schedule, what would it be?

I really would like to see a dedicated education programme. Perhaps a 2 or 3 hour session on how an institution - small or large - can enhance the quality of the undergrad space and benefit from it. It could comprise a panel discussion, a little bit of chit-chat and a lot of conversation which can trickle over dinner.

What message would you like to pass to someone who is attending their first YIM in 2024?

It's a very vulnerable time in a young investigator’s life, right? It's a marathon of sorts. I think we have to keep our spirits high. I’d advise them to be positive, innovative, and work on not getting disheartened. Take pleasure in the small things, and just keep contributing.

There's a lot that young investigators in privileged institutions can actually contribute to the larger landscape of India. You don't have to go into a village and set up shop there, but maybe pay a visit. Or maybe let those in villages and small towns visit your labs frequently.

I think individual contributions are still very important and valuable in the Indian context.

In the winter of 2022, the Centre for Predictive Human Model Systems team received some exhilarating news. Our lead collaborator, Tuli Dey of Savitribai Phule Pune University, had just shared an update with us; after not one, but three attempts, we had finally been awarded the IndiaBioscience Outreach Grant! Our winning proposal was a Virtual Lab series that would transport students all across India, into the heart of some of the most cutting-edge and futuristic biological technologies. Advanced science does not always have to be complicated! We aimed to break down the behind-the-scenes of the fancy experiments, give tips and tricks from laboratory peers, and render a hands-on feel to each episode. Simply speaking, we were determined to make science exciting, engaging and accessible to students from every walk of life.

In the past few months, our Virtual Lab series has released three thrilling episodes of ‘Back to the Future!’ or B2F. Armed with nothing but a love for all things 'filmy' and a knack for science communication, I dove headfirst into the world of videography, editing and video production. My teammate, Kadambari Patil, took up the mammoth task of curating insightful content for B2F Workbooks and made sure it had engaging graphics to prevent it from being boring. And whenever we hit a roadblock, our trusty teammates, Kasturi Mahadik and Surat Parvatam, swooped in to help us out! From starting out as rookies to becoming a well-oiled machine (with only occasional hiccups here and there!), we’ve come a long way.

Episode 1: Wound-Infection-On-Chip

We began the New Year with a trip to Savitribai Phule Pune University, to film our very first episode with Karishma Kaushik and her lab (Karishma has now transitioned to serving as the Executive Director of IndiaBioscience). It was my first time in the director’s seat, and I had to deal with a steep learning curve. Learning how to find the best light for filming was a challenge, as well as figuring out how to frame a cell culture hood without any obstructions in the shot and ensuring a quiet set. Eventually, I settled comfortably into the director’s chair; that’s when the bossy director in me took over! I found myself asking Karishma for retakes, guiding researcher Shreeya Mhade on how to deliver her lines in the best way, and motivating research fellow Nizam Shaikh when he found himself unable to control a fit of giggles.

Episode 2: Mini-Organs

In Episode 2, we split the filming into two parts. The first part took place at Tuli Dey’s tumour biology lab. It was impressive to see PhD researcher Abhishek Teli’s professionalism on set; he had memorised all his lines, and we managed to wrap up his segment in just one day.

While at her lab, I took the opportunity to interview Tuli about her experience and her thoughts on how the series was shaping up. Tuli expressed,

It was a refreshing break from the day-to-day work and I particularly enjoyed interacting with students at the Discussion Circle.

She hoped that future episodes would include more open-ended questions to encourage deeper intellectual engagement.

Moving on to the second half, we shifted to Indumathi Mariappan's retinal organoid lab at LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad. Kadambari was absolutely thrilled to witness Divya Pidishetty, Trupti Agrawal and Sudipta Mahato expertly handling reagents and growth media, which she had only seen as icons while using the illustration application BioRender! As the director, I faced an interesting challenge during this shoot. I needed to position my camera close to a biosafety hood to get the perfect shot without interfering with an ongoing real-time experiment. The solution? Meticulous sanitisation! I wiped down every part of the camera with disinfectant and donned a biohazard gown, scrub cap and gloves.

Episode 3: Mathematical Modelling and Biology

In Episode 3, our filming journey took us to Chennai, where we explored computational biology tools at Vantage Research. We were anxious as we weren’t as acquainted with the topic, but the team at Vantage made us feel right at home. They patiently explained the intricacies of PK-PD, QSP models, virtual populations, etc. giving us renewed confidence about tackling unfamiliar territories. We had insightful conversations with Rukmini Kumar and Vikram Prabhakar, which added depth to our understanding of their work as co-founders. Finally, even though mathematical modelling may seem like serious business, Dinesh Bedathuru, Maithreye R and Prakash Packrisamy managed to keep things light and enjoyable, spoiling us rotten with delicious food, fun stories, and friendly attempts at making each other laugh during filming.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

I sat down with Kadambari to chat about our journey so far, and what the future holds for Back to the Future (B2F):

Anushka: Hey partner!

Kadambari: Hey there, Farah Khan junior!

A(laughs): How has this entire experience been for you?

K: Honestly, it’s been exhilarating. Creating B2F has given me valuable insights into the day-to-day
workings of a lab, how scientists plan their experiments, and how complex (and intimidating) technologies are built on simple scientific principles. I’m grateful for this opportunity.

A: Absolutely! Coming from a research background, the work wasn't entirely new to me. But the challenge of simplifying and visually presenting the scientific concepts while maintaining aesthetics has been incredibly rewarding. I never thought I'd be able to combine my passion for filmmaking and science!

K: I too enjoyed being the “creative director” on sets, ensuring the lab space looks visually appealing on camera. It's surprising how small details like tubes in the background or gloves lying around can make a difference in the final video! Filming has been quite a challenge, hasn’t it?

A: Definitely. I never realised how much effort goes into creating a 30-second scene, or how many shots you have to take. And then there’s the editing!

K (sighs): Oh boy, the editing.

A: Premiere Pro was my biggest enemy, but I’m happy to report we’re friends now (laughs). Another
challenge was making script changes on the fly during filming. We often ended up scrapping our original plans entirely!

K: Can’t believe we’re nearing the end! What comes next for us?

A: Well, episode 4 is the first thing! (laughs) I’m really excited to show our community how researchers answer intriguing questions on attention spans and brain behaviour! Beyond that, we’re already planning a Finale Lab Visit for the winners of our discussion circles.

K: It all began with a mere idea to make contemporary science and its people accessible, but now look at our baby! Can you believe we have reached 19 Indian states, 4 Union territories and 12 countries? We’re going to cross a thousand views on our channel as well, and the feedback has been overwhelming!

A: The best part was learning that students had looked-up breakthrough biological advances online after watching our videos, discussed them with friends, family and teachers, and even searched for internships in these fields!

Even the Discussion Circles have been incredibly fun and filled with smart questions from our participants. Some of our best-performing students come from smaller towns across India! It certainly drives home the message that science is for everyone.

K: I’m grateful for this impact. In the big picture, I’d love to see this initiative transform into a program where we travel across the country, involve governments, inform students about India’s scientific edge, and convince them that they could be a part of such fantastic research too! Public awareness of science is crucial. If people learn about these topics, they’ll understand their impact on their daily lives, be more informed, and support such research.

A: Power to the people! Science for everyone!

K (laughing): Okay, okay! We better get to it, there’s a lot of work left for episode 4!

A: Haha, you’re right. Let’s go!

From sketches on the back of napkins to detailed scientific illustrations, drawing has long been a powerful tool for scientists to communicate their research and ideas. However, many scientists may not realise or apply the full potential of drawing in their scientific endeavour.

In this article, we will explore the importance of drawing in science and the insights gained from the talk of Ipsa Jain, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru and Carsten Janke, Institut Curie, France at 15^th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM 2023), including looking at some drawings of the scientists who participated.

Envision a world that lacked cameras, printers, or digital images — if you wished to depict something visually, you had to illustrate it yourself. Regrettably, over time, role of drawing has dwindled in modern-day scientific enterprise.

Snippets from Jain’s talk at YIM 2023

Jain gave a talk on 'Drawing Your Science' at our 15^th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM 2023) that challenged scientists to put their drawing skills to the test.

At a live interaction, Jain illuminated how drawing represents much more than merely putting pencil to paper. Drawing, she explained, is the cornerstone of ideation, can serve as the foundation for hypothesis and theory, a critical mechanism to draw inferences, and a powerful mode to build concepts.

She underscored how visual representations, facilitated by drawing, are essential for exploring new relationships, testing ideas, and elaborating knowledge. The beauty and power of drawing is that it is an indispensable tool for the scientific community - a tool that continues to unlock new discoveries and push the boundaries of human understanding.

She took the audience on a journey through a rough sketch of an in situ devcie (by Roman Stocker and Justin Seymour) to quantify bacterial behaviour in natural ocean environments. This ground-breaking idea emerged during Justin’s last day at Roman’s MIT lab, where the two scientists had spent the previous three years assaying bacterial chemotactic behaviour in the lab using microfluidic devices.

Roman and Justin drew the first outline of the ​‘in-situ chemotaxis assay (ISCA)’ on a napkin during a final lunchtime meeting. The napkin that held the first scribbles of the ‘in-situ chemotaxis assay (ISCA) is a testament to the power of drawing as a catalyst for imagination and the origin of innovation.

Drawing is the embodiment of ideation, where the seed of a great idea takes root and begins to grow into a tangible reality.

A drawing challenge for YIM 2023 participants

Jain challenged scientists in the audience to work in groups to create visual representations of their research areas. The results were mind-blowing!

Some in attendance took to sketching their own lab logos, while others shared their laboratory research with simple drawings that served to breakdown complex research problems.

Let’s take a look at some of the drawings by researchers:

Suman Pahal: "Say goodbye to painful vaccine injections- that’s what my drawing represents! Microneedles are the future of painless vaccine delivery. These tiny needles are strong enough to pass through the skin without reaching nerve endings, making vaccination a breeze. As a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, I'm working to make microneedle technology a reality for painless and effective disease management."

Jogender Singh: "When organisms face stressful environmental conditions, they must adapt to the changing environment to survive; otherwise, they will perish. The ability to adapt, in fact, is the basis for the existence of life. In our laboratory, we are involved in characterising mechanisms of adaptation to different stress forms."

Himanshu Sharma: "Microsporidia are parasites that can infect humans, insects, and most animals. As depicted in the drawing, they invade the cells of their host and take over their energy-making machinery called mitochondria, stealing energy and nutrients to live. In our laboratory, we study how microsporidia invade and sustain themselves inside host cells."

Chandana Basu: "At Ipsa’s activity session, I finally created the perfect logo for our lab group, GenoPheno! Our research focuses on the fascinating topic of human diversity and the genetics behind it. We're interested in understanding the inter-individual variation that exists and how it relates to past adaptation, as well as using this knowledge to improve public health."

Bhuvan Pathak: "I have captioned my drawing as ​‘Plant to Plate- engineering the plants to be smart, like a smartphone’. Just like mobile phones have various applications, it is possible to engineer plants with the traits that could lead to enhanced productivity in a small area of land.”

The canvas mural at YIM 2023

In the spirit of discussing science-art at YIM 2023, we also wanted to explore the relationship that scientists have with their work and the laboratory beyond the scientific aspect. Scientists, like all human beings, have their idiosyncrasies, and the laboratory holds a deeper meaning for them.

To document this relationship, Jain set up a canvas mural at YIM 2023 and invited researchers to express their thoughts through sketches, doodles, drawings, and paintings in response to certain prompts. This project aimed to shed light on the personal and creative side of scientists and their unique perspectives on their workspaces.

Storytelling with art in Carsten Janke's talk

During his talk titled, ​“From brains to yeast and back again — my scientific journey” Carsten Janke, Institut Curie, France, talked about the art of storytelling that could be used to effectively communicate scientific concepts to the public. Drawing on his own experiences, he emphasised the power of art to connect complex scientific ideas in a relatable, engaging way and showcased some of his collaborative work with EPSAA art students. Janke’s commitment to making science accessible to everyone was evident when he distributed copies of ​‘Globule,’ a graphic book that he worked on in collaboration with a science artist, that chronicles the history of dendritic cells and their critical role in immune mechanisms and vaccination processes.

By breaking down the barriers between science and art, both Jain and Janke inspired a broader appreciation for the role of drawing in science, highlighting it as a tool to conceptualise and communicate scientific ideas.

At YIM 2023, our discussion centred around the qualities that research institutes seek in candidates during faculty recruitment. We had the opportunity to interview representatives from a diverse range of institutions in India, including Ashoka University in Sonipat represented by Kasturi Mitra, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda represented by Pushpa Robin, the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru represented by Usha Vijayraghavan, and from Manipal Academy of Higher Education represented by Satish Rao and Naveen Salins. These institutions encompassed private university, private deemed university, and public universities with a focus on research and teaching.

Let's take a look at their responses.

1) What do you look for in a CV when hiring a faculty at your research institute?

Mitra: We seek candidates who demonstrate out-of-the-box thinking and who push frontiers with cutting-edge ideas and tools. We also value good publication quality, but we do not solely rely on metrics like impact factor. Instead, we evaluate the content of the major papers in the candidate's CV, as well as their training and research proposal. We seek candidates who have a clear grasp of English and strong communication skills, which are important for obtaining funding.

Salins: When reviewing a CV, I always look for the first three lines, which should tell me who the candidate is, what they do, and what they want to do. The CV should highlight the candidate's academic qualifications, publications, and key areas of work, as well as their future aspirations and plans. These are the core factors we consider when selecting candidates.

When reviewing a CV, I always look for the first three lines, which should tell me who the candidate is, what they do, and what they want to do.

Robin: We prioritise a candidate's qualifications and publication, both in terms of quality and impact.

Vijayraghavan: We look for excellent and consistent academic track record. And clarity in their research statement, that articulates short- and longer-term goals, building on their accomplishments while addressing contemporary questions. We also look for a teaching statement that captures their personal take on this important role for a faculty member.

2) What are two factors that influence the selection of a candidate during the interview process?

Mitra: Well, firstly, we seek candidates who are independent and demonstrate strong leadership qualities. We want candidates who can drive their own research program. And secondly, during the interview, we evaluate their communication skills, including the depth and clarity of their presentation.

Robin: When evaluating a candidate's experience, we look for individuals who have relevant expertise and post-doctoral experience. And as the institute has a heavy emphasis on teaching, we look for candidates who are comfortable and enthusiastic about teaching.

Rao and Salins: The first would be the independence and depth in their approach to research. During the interview, we evaluate their ability to handle questions, the clarity of their presentation, and their vision for their independent career. And secondly, we evaluate a candidate's credibility through their training and the quality of their peer-reviewed publications. We do not place as much emphasis on talks or conference attendance, as these are not peer-reviewed.

Vijayraghavan: We take a multi-layered and multi-level approach to candidate selection. First, we consider their CV and evaluate the salient points, strengths, and how their research can contribute to the field. Second, we invite them for a research seminar where they are given time to present their work and field questions from students. We evaluate their ability to think on their feet and handle questions.

We evaluate their ability to think on the feet and handle questions.

3) How do you judge a person’s communication skills?

Mitra: In my opinion, a CV is not a reflection of a person's communication skills. Instead, we prefer to evaluate their proposal writing abilities. The clarity, seriousness, innovation, thought process, and depth reflected in the proposal are excellent indicators of a person's communication skills.

Salins: When I'm interviewing a candidate, I focus on their ability to articulate their current area of expertise. I believe that a person's communication skills can be judged by how well they can convey their ideas and knowledge during the interview.

Robin: We typically evaluate a person's communication skills through a talk that they give as part of the interview process. This helps me to assess their ability to communicate effectively, engage the audience, and convey their thoughts clearly.

Vijayraghavan: As part of interview process, we do a chalk talk where the candidate outlines their immediate and long-term goals, as well as the grants they are considering, without using any pre-prepared slides. This exercise helps us to assess their ability to handle questions and communicate their vision effectively.

The Young Investigators' Meetings (YIMs) serve as an ideal platform to facilitate comprehensive deliberations on topics related to the culture and practice of doing science in India. YIM 2023 had it all - insightful talks, seminars, and poster presentations. In addition to these, there were four exhilarating panel discussions and two interactive breakout sessions, each of which saw enthusiastic engagement by the YIM attendees. Here's a brief overview of some highlights from these sessions.

Panel Discussion 1: Sustainable solutions for Indian ecosystem

Moderator: Bhuvan Pathak, Ahmedabad University

Panellists: Hema Somanathan, IISER Thiruvananthapuram; Krishnaveni Mishra, University of Hyderabad; Roop Mallik, IIT Bombay; Tamal Das, TIFR Hyderabad

The panellists discussed various challenges and solutions related to sustainability in the Indian ecosystem. Mallik shared that access to information has become easier and that discussions have extended worldwide with the help of Zoom. Mishra noted that awareness has increased due to Twitter, and the amount of data required to write a paper has also increased. Somanathan discussed the challenges of fieldwork and emphasised the importance of recognising early on whether a student wants to do fieldwork or not. Das emphasised the importance of staying up to date with new technologies and new skills. Mallik suggested involving relatively senior students and PDFs in writing grants. The panel discussed the age limit for grants in India and suggested that young PIs should have more opportunities to apply.

Panel Discussion 2: Building a diverse funding portfolio

Moderator: Sharmistha Majumdar, IIT Gandhinagar

Panellists: Guntram Bauer, HFSP; LS Shashidhara, NCBS; Madhvi Joshi, Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre; Vandana Gambhir, IISER Pune

The panel discussion focused on building a diverse funding portfolio, with a particular emphasis on the sources of government and non-government funding in India. Bauer and Joshi discussed the importance of young PIs exploring diverse funding sources and provided insights into the different types of grants available, including those offered by state governments, philanthropic organisations, and international funders. Shashidhara highlighted the need for grant managers in institutes to stay updated about funding opportunities and for researchers to align themselves with the mandates of funding agencies. Gambhir emphasised the need to be proactive and collaborative in seeking funding opportunities, and the discussion concluded with tips on managing funds after receiving grants.

Panel Discussion 3: Engaging with public health challenges

Moderator: Rashna Bhandari, CDFD

Panellists: Anirban Banerjee, IIT Bombay; Kapil Maithal, Zydus Lifesciences; Karishma Kaushik, SPPU; Rakesh Mishra, TIGS

The panel discussion discussed various aspects of public health, including the public health research in different settings, such as basic research institutes, universities, responsibilities of institutes in promoting public awareness, and collaborating with public health industries. Banerjee raised the concern regarding the need of trained personnel for data analysis from bioinformatics. Kaushik expressed the need of creating public awareness through strong tie-ups between research labs and companies, and making scientific data and material available to all. Maithal talked about the importance of meticulousness in experimental protocols, transparency, and the need for bio-banks in India. The conversation touched upon the role of ecologists in public health and the link between behaviour and translation at the industry level. The panel emphasised the need for everyone working in biology to contribute to the public sector to improve general public health.

Panel Discussion 4: Science and society

Moderator: Aditya Parekh, IndiaBioscience

Panellists: Carsten Janke, Institut Curie; Sarah Iqbal, FAST India & SaS; Smita Jain, Cactus Communications; Suhel Quader, NCF

The panel discussion focused on the importance of scientists communicating their work to the public and the challenges and benefits of doing so. Quader emphasised the need to connect with audiences and said that it is similar to solving a science problem by identifying the problem and finding ways to reach out to the audience. Janke noted that many people in science assume that the public understands what they are talking about which is not true. Expressing the need for institutional contributions and the importance of policy changes for the growth of the science communication domain in India, Jain said, “we are still not there yet”. Iqbal spoke about institutionalising science communication and acknowledged the identity issues faced by science communicators. The discussion highlighted the need for more efforts to increase public engagement in science and the need for policy changes to recognise and promote the value of science communication.

Many people in science assume that the public understands what they are talking about which is not true.

Breakout Sessions

The intention behind the breakout sessions was to provide an opportunity for attendees to engage in informal, semi-structured discussions and brainstorming sessions about issues of interest. The participants were segregated into four groups, comprising a diverse mix of young investigators (YIs), postdoctoral fellows (PDFs), mentors, organisers, and special invitees. Each group was assigned a specific set of topics to discuss and develop actionable suggestions on.

Two breakout sessions were held during the meeting, focused on ​‘Setting and maintaining boundaries’ and ‘Building your identity’ as a young researcher. Some of the key takeaways that emerged from these discussions are outlined below:

1. Drawing boundaries: One common challenge was setting boundaries between colleagues, especially when working collaboratively on a project, particularly if that colleague is also a friend. Participants discussed work-life balance, particularly when living on campus and emphasised that it should not be expected for individuals to work late nights or be available at all times.

2. Committee work: Committee work was also discussed as an area where setting boundaries was difficult, particularly when there were few female faculty members on campus and a lack of power to choose at this career stage.
   

3. Challenges as a YI: The challenges of setting up a new lab as a young PI were highlighted and it was suggested that it is preferable to first establish the lab before focusing on collaborations and networking. Participants agreed that constantly changing institutes as a young PI is not advisable. They noted that the administration needed to change to better support YIs and reviewing metrics need to be revisited.

4. Communication channels: Participants noted that communication channels, which had been blurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, needed to be re-established with clearer boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. For instance, many found WhatsApp groups to be intrusive, and Slack and scheduled texts were suggested as alternatives. Furthermore, online meetings with colleagues in different time zones were also found to be challenging.

5. Carving your identity: Figuring out a unique research question or niche at a global level is crucial in establishing one's identity as a researcher. This can help in setting the direction for the lab and attracting potential collaborators and students.

6. Social media: Using social media as a tool for collaboration has become increasingly popular in science. While those who do not use social media are not necessarily at a disadvantage in terms of forming a research identity, social media can be a helpful tool for building a network, increasing visibility for one's work, and potentially attracting students.

PDF Satellite Meeting

Over the course of the last one and a half days, the PDF Satellite Meeting was held. The institutional representatives in attendance at PDF Satellite Meeting encompassed a diverse range of affiliations, including IISERs, IITs, research institutions, private universities, and state universities. The meeting provided an opportunity for the forty post-doctoral fellows attending the conference to directly engage with institutional representatives and pitch their scientific ideas to them. Each post-doctoral fellow was given the opportunity to present their research in a 5-minute lightning talk, followed by a poster session. In turn, the institute representatives gave a presentation highlighting the key characteristics of their institutions, as well as an overview of the hiring process and the candidate profile they were seeking. Additionally, the satellite meeting included a moderated open discussion between institute representatives and post-doctoral fellows, where several issues were raised. These included the age limits on hiring, venturing into new interdisciplinary research fields, the need for collaborations, mentorship during the hiring process, and the necessity for more transparent evaluation procedures and hiring.

A PDF asked the panel of institutional representatives about the common mistakes that young investigators make when starting a lab. The room erupted in laughter, but the responses provided some valuable insights for budding scientists. Ullas S Kolthur, TIFR Hyderabad advised the researchers returning to India and said, "Get over the reverse culture shock as soon as possible". Mitali Mukherjee, IIT Jodhpur and Usha Vijayaraghavan, IISc Bengaluru both stressed the importance of developing a tough skin when it comes to criticism. Starting a lab is a daunting task, but with the right mindset and approach, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Do not join the rat race.

Closing

In the concluding remarks of YIM 2023, Rashna Bhandari provided a summary of the event and expressed gratitude to the organisers, attendees, and speakers. The vote of thanks was delivered by Shantala Hari Dass on behalf of IndiaBioscience and the event organisers.

Since 2009, the Young Investigators’ Meetings (YIMs) have been providing a common platform for young researchers, senior scientists, and institutional representatives to discuss issues pertinent to conducting scientific research in India. Despite the unprecedented circumstances of the past two years, which resulted in the hosting of virtual YIMs in 2021 and 2022, the 15th YIM provided an opportunity for wider discussions, networking, and in-depth conversations on various factors that affect scientific productivity in India.

The 15^th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM) was held in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 13 to 17 February, 2023. The meeting was attended by 44 young investigators selected from all parts of India, as well as 46 postdoctoral fellows, approximately half of them were from institutions in India. The meeting also brought together 8 senior scientists in the form of mentors, several guest speakers and panellists, and the directors of 23 research institutes and universities. And for the first time ever, YIM 2023 was held on the institutional campus imparting a distinctive essence to this gathering.

This year, the organisers of the meeting were Dhiraj Bhatia (IIT Gandhinagar), Nishad Matange (IISER Pune), Ratna Ghosal (Ahmedabad University), and Shantala Hari Dass (IndiaBioscience).

Inaugural Sessions and Keynote Lectures

The meeting began with a welcome note by Satyajit Mayor, NCBS-TIFR, Bengaluru, who outlined the overall structure of the meeting — the first three days would include keynote lectures, mentor talks, panel discussions, breakout sessions, poster sessions, and special talks, while the final two days would consist of the PDF Satellite meeting, wherein Post-doctoral fellows get a chance to directly pitch their science to institutional representatives.

Mayor described YIM’s roots in the sabbatical of Ron Vale, HHMI, Janelia Research Campus, the communication gaps in the Indian researcher community and the birth of IndiaBioscience. He urged young researchers to voice their concerns openly in the scientific field to foster the development of a sustainable research community.

The first keynote lecture of the meeting was delivered through a video call by Rajesh Gokhale, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, who could not be physically present at the meeting. He emphasised the importance of utilising a combination of technology, large datasets, artificial intelligence, and communication in modern research. He addressed researchers to collaborate and find overlapping areas in different disciplines, in order to examine scientific aspects from multiple perspectives.

The second keynote address was also delivered through a video call by K VijayRaghavan, NCBS-TIFR, Bengaluru. He highlighted the responsibility of scientists in addressing global challenges, such as climate change and waste management. He emphasised the need for institutes to focus on national problems and facilitate collaboration among students and researchers from different institutions. And concluding the address with a call to action, he encouraged individuals to bring about the change they want to see in the world.

The planet is at cusp, scientists can help steer us to a sane future.

Special Talks

Ipsa Jain, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru, delivered a special talk titled, ‘Drawing (your) Science’. Outlining the importance of drawing in preparation of discovery, observation, ideation, hypothesising and theorising, she highlighted her lab notebook sketches of collaborative work done with various scientists-artists. ‘Wandering pencil allows the mind to wonder’, said Ipsa and encouraged scientists in the audience to explain their science through drawing to the person sitting next to them. To explore the undocumented relationship of scientists with science and their working space, she invited YIM attendees to sketch, doodle, draw and paint on the installed canvas at the venue in response to the given prompts. Take a peek at some of the responses below.

The second special talk by Kapil Maithal, Zydus Lifesciences, Ahmedabad was on ‘Impact of Vaccines- Public Health and Society’. He discussed the role of academia in vaccine development and emphasised the importance of academic research in understanding the biology of host-pathogen interaction, as this knowledge is essential for identifying targets for vaccine development. Additionally, he stressed the importance of academic research in developing effective diagnostic kits and establishing epidemiological surveillance to track disease outbreaks.

Mentor Talks

Eight renowned researchers, including two from foreign countries and six from national research institutes and universities, were invited as mentors for YIM 2023. They shared their experiences and valuable lessons with young investigators from diverse scientific and socio-economic backgrounds. The mentor talks highlighted the importance of collaboration, networking, and perseverance in research.

This year’s mentors were —  Anirban Banerjee (IIT Bombay), Anne Spang (University of Basel, Switzerland), Carsten Janke (Institut Curie, Paris, France), Thomas Pucadyil (IISER Pune), Krishnaveni Mishra (University of Hyderabad), Tamal Das (TIFR-Hyderabad), Hema Somanathan (IISER Thiruvananthapuram), Sharmistha Majumdar (IIT Gandhinagar). The mentors we selected bring forth a diverse set of opinions, with affiliations spanning across various research institutions both nationally and internationally, as well as institutions emphasising research and education (IISERs, IITs, and central universities).

Some key insights emerging from these talks are mentioned below:

Interdisciplinary research and collaboration is the way forward

Interdisciplinary research and collaboration is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and exploring complex scientific questions. Das emphasised the integrative approach his lab uses to study collective cell dynamics using mechanobiology, which sits at the intersection of physics and biology. Similarly, Pucadyil highlighted the importance of collaboration with complementary skills. He suggested that effective collaborations can only be established if researchers have a clear intention and understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Majumdar discussed how cross-disciplinary collaborations and complementary skill sets can tackle complex problems and make exciting discoveries. Giving an example from her own lab, she described how her lab-members overcame infrastructure limitations by making new collaborations with computer scientists, which also advanced their research significantly.

Embrace your scientific journey

“Every journey is unique”, said Somanathan while sharing her own experiences. She spoke about taking a break after her PhD to give care to her daughter. Despite a four-year hiatus, she remained committed to pursuing an academic career and secured a postdoctoral position working on honeybees. She subsequently obtained a faculty position and faced a series of struggles as she adjusted to academic life and tried to balance work and family responsibilities.

Every journey is unique.

Janke shared his experience of shifting from microtubules to yeast and pursuing a third postdoc, despite facing criticism for not becoming a group leader. He encouraged young researchers to take risks and pursue research that excites them, emphasising that passion and curiosity are essential qualities for a successful career in science.

It is important to pursue a career one is passionate about, rather than focusing on competition or external pressures. Spang talked about her career transition from being a chemical engineer to moving to France to study biochemistry and realising she wanted to do research. She advises those in science to be bold, ask bold questions, and love the science they do.

Overcoming hurdles and failures

Somanathan discussed the various obstacles she encountered, including multitasking in both field and lab roles, ensuring student safety and welfare in remote areas, aligning ecological and institutional timescales, and facing delays in the funding process, which subsequently affected both her lab work and fieldwork.

Mishra shared her story of setting up a lab as a young cell biologist in a department dominated by biochemists. Despite facing challenges, such as a lack of infrastructure and equipment, she emphasised the importance of making one's own space in research and exploring new avenues, rather than feeling constrained by their department's focus or available resources.

Spang also pointed out the importance of focusing on having a life outside of research as it can ultimately increase productivity. Answering a question from the audience about how to navigate work-life balance, she said “Figuring out what to let go is the answer”.

Figuring out what to let go is the answer.

Building your dream (lab) team

Building the right team is crucial when it comes to nurturing the next generation of scientists, as the success of the lab depends heavily on them. Banerjee emphasised on creating an environment where everyone feels valued, encouraged to share their ideas, and empowered to take ownership of their projects.

Mishra and Majumdar both emphasised on investing in the professional and personal growth of the team members, as a mentor can not only foster a strong sense of community but also help to cultivate the next generation of successful scientists.

Communicating science beyond lab bench

As scientists, it's crucial to communicate research outside the confines of the lab and engage with the public using creative techniques to make complex scientific concepts more accessible. “Reach out to the public by telling a story”, said Janke and shared his own experiences of using drawing to connect complex scientific concepts. He even distributed copies of 'Globule,' a graphic book that showcases the history of dendritic cells and their role in immune mechanisms and vaccination processes.

Reach out to the public by telling a story.

Somanathan emphasised the significance of effective communication in improving public understanding and support for scientific research.

After two virtual meetings, YIM 2023 is being held in-person again. What are you excited about the most? How will this experience be different from the two virtual meetings before?

Dhiraj: The in-person YIM 2023 meeting will be much different from the virtual ones. The joy of meeting people face-to-face and sharing experiences cannot be replaced by virtual meetings. Also, it will facilitate wider discussions and create more opportunities for networking.

Nishad: While virtual meetings have their own advantages, such as allowing people from different locations to instantly connect and exchange ideas, they lack the platform for informal interaction. I've always believed that a lot is learnt from words exchanged between conversations. This is where in-person meetings win, hands down! I am most excited about the unstructured interactions, brief exchanges during sessions, and conversations over tea. This YIM meeting is extra special as it will be held at campuses of Ahmedabad University and IIT-Gandhinagar. Having a networking meeting at a campus bustling with students is going to bring a new energy to YIM 2023.

Ratna: Although I have not attended a YIM virtual meeting, I believe that physical meetings provide a more immersive interactions.

Shantala: The virtual YIMs were much needed. They were a way of keeping the YIM platform going during unprecedented circumstances. We enjoyed experimenting with ways to add interactivity to a virtual event. I agree with Nishad that what virtual meetings fail to capture is the unscheduled and informal interactions. There is a certain magic born out of having all the meeting participants under the same roof.

Tell us how did you decide to join the YIM 2023 organising team?

Dhiraj: I have been a part of YIM since 2019 in different roles and had a desire to host and bring the same passion to Gandhinagar. Thankfully, the IBS board supported our request.

Nishad: I believe YIM has established a significant place in the life sciences landscape of India. I was once an attendee, and the experience opened my eyes and gave me access to a network of researchers facing similar issues. I joined the organising team to give back to the Indian life sciences community and shape YIM in a way that would be relevant to young investigators and postdoctoral fellows.

Ratna: Joining the YIM 2023 organising team was an exciting opportunity, as YIM is a prestigious event. I wanted to contribute by bringing together young investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and mentors from the under-represented area of ecological research.

Shantala: Being part of the YIM 2023 organising team was a natural decision, as the annual event is IndiaBioscience's flagship networking event. I am honoured to be a part of the 15th YIM, and proud of the community that has grown from the first YIM in 2009, with 600 young investigators and postdoctoral fellows, over 170 science professionals, and about 75 institutions participating (including YIM 2023).

This is a phenomenal community to have grown- one that is very core to IndiaBioscience’s activities. The journey of YIM has been incredible and inspiring, with young investigators from the first event now in senior positions, continuing to engage and advance the life sciences community.

Are there any particular sessions you are looking forward to the most?

Dhiraj: All of them. I am looking forward to welcome all the guests to our new campus and interactions in all the domains.

Nishad: I am really looking forward to all the panel discussions that we have planned. We have put together four themes that I hope will make attendees think about the directions that young labs need to move in to sustain healthy growth.

Ratna: Yeah, the break-out sessions, where the participants can unwind a bit and share their real concerns.

Shantala: The organisers have put the programme together with great thought to provide avenues for structured and unstructured discussions. I am looking forward to exciting set of ‘Mentor Talks’ featuring honest and insightful discussions around how scientists in India and abroad have navigated the journey to setting up their own research groups. I hope that the Keynote and Special Talks will give the younger and more senior scientists a chance to think beyond their current circumstances on how they can contribute to the life science community in the long term.

Have you attended any YIMs before? How was your experience?

Dhiraj: Yes, I attended the 2019 meeting as a Young Investigator and the 2021 and 2022 meetings were virtual, with the Director as the Institute representative. My experience was one of the best ones.

Nishad: I was a Young Investigator at the Goa YIM in 2017. Besides being captivated by Goa itself, the YIM experience was fantastic. Networking, combined with science and lots of fun made it an excellent way to get acquainted with Indian academia. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!

Ratna: Yeah, it was a very good experience.

Shantala: Yes! Anecdotally, I first learned about IndiaBioscience through the YIMs. The 2022 YIM will be my fifth time participating. I participated in the 2017 YIM as a post-doctoral fellow, in the 2020 YIM as part of the IndiaBioscience team, and in the 2021, 2022, and now 2023 YIMs as part of the organising committee. It's a full circle moment—I have seen the YIMs from different perspectives and the YIMs have seen me at different stages in my career.

Any advice for the participating YIs and PDFs?

Dhiraj: Participate with an open mind, ask as many questions as possible to mentors, and I'm sure everyone will take something valuable home from this meeting. I look forward to welcoming you all at IIT Gandhinagar.

Nishad: Be honest, speak openly, and don't be afraid to ask mentors and resource persons some tough questions.

Ratna: Interact and network as much as possible.

Shantala: Don't hesitate to seek help with your career trajectory. This is a unique opportunity to be surrounded by such a diverse group of science professionals, many of whom are gathered to support researchers who are just starting or on the brink of independence. Familiarising yourself with who is attending the YIM and networking with your peers is equally important. Ask questions, express your concerns, attend all sessions, and most importantly, have fun!