The seeds of scientific curiosity

Visualise this: Plants thriving amidst heavy traffic, growing in barren deserts, and enduring harsh and arid climates. This is what ignites my scientific passion — the ability of plants to survive and adapt to extreme conditions fascinates me, and that pulled me into the field of metabolomics. This discipline helps me understand the underlying molecular and biochemical processes taking place in plants in response to environmental stress. 

My focus is studying the metabolic make up of phytoremediated plants, while also exploring possibilities for their reuse. Currently, my team of undergraduate and postgraduate students is investigating the potential of these plants for dye degradation. Investigating plant-inducible genes, analysing phytochemicals, and assessing bioactivity in a resource-limited, foundational setup offers intriguing challenges and learning opportunities. Furthermore, navigating the diverse responsibilities of an academic career, which includes assessments, paperwork, and administrative duties, provides valuable opportunities for growth and skill development. 

Yet, my research remains the anchor that connects me to the core of academic life. After all, research is at the heart of academia.

Early beginnings: Curiosity and the spark for research

As a child, I would collect ants and rice weevils in a syringe, puncture a small hole for air, and add a grain of rice to observe how long they could survive. Though lacking many empirical parameters, such as proper sample size or controlled variables, these early experiments sparked my fascination with biology. As an undergraduate, I worked on a project on food fortification under Anupma Harshal as a part of Jigyaasa Science Honors Program at Kishinchand Chellaram College, and later, as a postgraduate student, I shifted my focus to environmental sciences while interning with Jagannath Rathod at Department of Marine Biology, Karwar. My passion for plant stress research began over a decade ago when I worked as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) on a UGC major project with Suvarna Sharma, isolating stress-inducible genes from Aloe vera for the production of transgenic plants at Kishinchand Chellaram College, Mumbai. From RNA extraction to Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, I gained hands-on experience — refining techniques and standardising assays from scratch. 

After spending three years as a JRF for the UGC Major project, I embarked on my PhD under Sagarika Damle, where my research ventured into plant phytochemistry and bioactivity. Initially, adjusting to the shift from molecular biology to phytochemistry was challenging, as it involved significant procedural and conceptual differences. But this shift not only broadened my skill set but also equipped me with the tools necessary to study the biochemical makeup of plants.

One of the most enriching aspects of my PhD journey was traveling into the forests of the Western Ghats and engaging with tribal healers or vaidyas.

Their deep knowledge of medicinal plants and their properties was both fascinating and humbling — knowledge that traditional textbooks could not offer. Our work aimed to scientifically validate this traditional wisdom by conducting bioactivity studies and analysing the phytochemical properties of these plants. My PhD journey also took a turn with the arrival of my newborn, and I found myself juggling between benchwork and diaper changes. I learned one of the most important lessons of my academic career: compassion and kindness. My guide exemplified these values supporting me through the highs and lows of this journey.

Building a Research Career: Challenges and Growth

Now, as a budding researcher at SVKM’s Mithibai College, I lead a team of undergraduate and postgraduate students focused on studying the stress response in aquatic plants like Pistia stratiotes L. used for phytoremediation. SVKM’s Mithibai College, the management and Department of Biotechnology have been instrumental in supporting my research and providing access to centralised instrumentation facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. The institution also offers SEED grants and research incentives, fostering an environment that encourages both young and seasoned researchers. Alongside plant stress research, I am also exploring the bioactive properties of lesser-explored ethnobotanical plants like Mammea suriga (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Kosterm. Additionally, I am delving into bioinformatics, constantly learning, upgrading my skills, and applying them in my research. Recently, I have begun exploring the field of network pharmacology with my students, investigating whether compounds identified in our LC-MS/MS studies of stress-induced plants could potentially be used for drug discovery.

What does it take to maintain a continuous flow of research funds? The answer, as many in the field will agree, lies in publications and grants. My journey took an unexpected turn in January 2020 when I submitted my PhD thesis and began applying for postdoctoral opportunities. At the peak of the pandemic, I faced a wave of rejections. Six months passed with no offer in sight and I turned to freelancing while simultaneously upgrading my skills through online courses in plant bioinformatics and compound analysis. Eventually, I secured a position at a publication support firm, where I gained valuable knowledge about journals, publication processes, and academic writing. Although I wasn’t conducting research at the time, reading research papers and working with scientists re-energised my passion for academia. For the past three years, I have been working tirelessly to gather information and secure funding for continuing my project and ultimately establish a metabolomics lab in my current institute to continue studying plant stress responses in phytoremediated plants.

Navigating the research landscape: Resilience and adaptability

My CV reflects my unwavering commitment to research over the past twelve years, showcasing the depth of experience and passion I have brought to every project. Conducting research in a resourceful and foundational laboratory setup, with limited access to advanced instruments or reagents has proved to be an incredibly insightful and enriching experience. It taught me to pay attention to the smallest details, as every protocol had to be standardised and every step had to be meticulously planned.

While I may not have postdoctoral experience like others, my journey has provided me with valuable lessons and the confidence to set up a lab from scratch.

My message to aspiring scientists, particularly those pursuing their PhDs in institutions with environments that foster resourcefulness, is this: 

• It can be tempting to seek out more promising opportunities, but real growth comes from perseverance. Stick with it, and you’ll find ways to make a meaningful impact.

• The lessons you learn along the way, no matter how small, are invaluable. Whether it is mastering the basics like preparing a budget sheet or learning how to plug pipettes, each step contributes to your overall development.

• Setbacks are growth opportunities- restart, learn and move forward. 

• The best thing to do during a setback is to use the time for self-improvement through learning a new skill!

• Research keeps your mind active, but balancing work with family is key.