My passion for research developed during my MSc dissertation at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. Initially, I was instructed to mix two bacterial stains, perform serial dilutions, and calculate the colony forming unit (CFU). While doing this, a persistent question emerged: 

Am I only doing this for the entire six months? My friends are doing​Polymerase Chain Reaction and cloning, so why not me?

I discussed this with my supervisor, who laughed and advised me to approach these fundamental laboratory experiments from different perspectives. 

I was left wondering, ​“What exactly does that signify? They are only 10X cells after treatment with some compound.” Then he explained to me, ​“You’re mixing strains A and B to facilitate conjugation, to understand the frequency of gene transfer in terms of colony forming unit.” This pivotal moment sparked a never-ending wave of curiosity within me. From that point on, my complete experience as a project trainee was filled with learning, which ultimately helped me succeed in my PhD interviews. 

Navigating changes and challenges during my PhD

I joined a PhD program at the Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology- Rourkela. I was not only my supervisor’s first student but also the department’s very first PhD student. Later, a few more joined. In the first year, we were busy establishing our labs, making insignificant progress in the research. My PhD supervisor was very open to collaboration and gave us the freedom to choose any lab in India or abroad where we could learn new skills, considering the challenges of being a new department. 

I approached a senior scientist at the Biofouling and Biofilm Process Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facility (BARCF), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research-Kalpakkam. He agreed to guide me and allowed me to use his laboratory facility for my PhD research. Under his guidance, I spent the initial phase of my PhD learning about biofilms. 

Everyone in his research group was generous enough to allow me to use their facilities and resources. To this day, I continue to collaborate with them. I am grateful to my PhD supervisor and my guide from BARCF for their invaluable assistance. I had a couple of learnings as a researcher that I inherited from my supervisor. The first is to work in the best possible way within available resources and time, without blaming the circumstances. If something is unworkable, collaborate and trust your collaborators. The second learning is that while engaging in research within environmental biotechnology, it is important to explore local environmental challenges, which are often overlooked, to make a global impact.

Working with grassroot innovators

After defending my thesis in 2015, I started looking for some academic and research positions at Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar to stay with family. During this period, the surge in research in medical biotechnology research limited opportunities for young researchers in marine/​environment fields. I applied multiple times for research associate and fellow position at the National Innovation Foundation-India under Department of Science and Technology, but faced rejection due to my lack of experience in human health research. On the third attempt, I was selected as Senior Innovation Fellow. 

The selection panel prioritised skills and a mindset suited for working with grassroots innovators over experience in medical biotechnology. It was one of the most challenging interviews I have ever faced. Despite many of my peers seeking positions abroad, I consciously chose to work on grassroots innovation for my post-doctoral experience. This choice was not welcomed by my mentor and peers, but I was determined to revisit innovation and research drive in India from the true stakeholder perspective i.e. the grassroots. 

I joined National Innovation Foundation-India as Senior Innovation Fellow in the Value Addition Research and Development Unit of the Human Health Department. NIF was handling multiple schemes to promote grassroot innovations in India. During my 15-month tenure, I met multiple innovators, and learned about their experiences, innovations, and traditional knowledge. This opportunity allowed me to upgrade my knowledge related to public health and human diseases. Although that decision didn’t immediately open doors to academic positions, working with NIF transformed my perspective on biological science research and innovation. 

I worked on several projects, particularly those promoting innovations by and for women. One notable experience was a field visit to Sehore, MP, where I met local innovators to verify their leads. I was inspired by the local women’s self-help networks and their approach to knowledge sharing, which they viewed as a societal service, unlike researchers who often treat it as intellectual property. I saw how agrowaste and cow dung were traditionally converted into biogas for cooking without technological assistance.

The best lesson I learned at NIF was to credit society or knowledge holders and avoid exploiting their knowledge for intellectual property through fancy research. 

Many research projects derived from traditional knowledge get published without crediting the original knowledge holders. My experience at NIF transformed me as both a researcher and a person. To this day, when I encounter grassroots innovators with valuable knowledge and motivation to solve societal issues, I feel empathy and respect for their work without the need for scientific validation. This perspective was a valuable gift from my time at NIF. 

Stepping into academia 

Coming from a research background, I was eager to to re-enter academia. After applying for faculty positions at several local biotechnology colleges, I chose a position at Government Science Colleges in Ahmedabad. There, I gained valuable experience teaching and guiding MSc dissertation students. But, establishing my research lab in marine biotechnology was a nightmare without foreign post-doctoral experience and a permanent position to apply for extramural grants. During that period, my PhD supervisor kept me motivated, encouraging academic writing and continuous learning. I also built a string network of students now working in different industries and research labs in Gujarat. 

I firmly believe in the power of affirmations. Every day, I envisioned myself as a marine biotechnologist in Gujarat. In 2021, I applied for a faculty position in marine biotechnology at the Gujarat Biotechnology University-Gandhinagar, prompted by a former student. Despite initial doubts due to the university’s international collaborations, I applied and found that my past experiences perfectly aligned with the position’s requirements. 

My transition from research to innovation to academia was instrumental in securing the position at India’s first biotechnology university, which focuses on translational research addressing both local and global needs. 

Now, I am in the process of establishing my research group, fortunately, I have a PhD candidate with an INSPIRE fellowship working on plastisphere biofilms in marine environment. Throughout my PhD and current position as an Assistant Professor, I have continued to explore different aspects of bacterial biofilms. 

Learnings on the way

Every individual faces struggles, and we all have our own lessons to be uncovered. Here are mine:

• Establishing research group: Well, it’s tough no doubt, but I have seen how my PhD guide crossed this path. It keeps me motivated that I am not alone; everybody or many of us have to face this. 
• Don’t forget your peers: Networking fresh is crucial! But don’t miss out on your peers. To this day, colleagues from my previous institutes and even my students continue to assist me with numerous essential tasks.
• International collaborations: Securing international collaborations can pose challenges for individuals lacking foreign experience. Fortunately, in my case, an established partnership between our institute and a foreign university facilitated the process.
• Eligibility criteria for the job and mindset of the interviewer: In my case, it took a longer time to align both. The major challenge I faced was the ​“reverse route”. Many individuals first gain post-doctoral experience abroad before returning home to contribute locally. However, I chose to directly serve my local community and applied for a position in a state university having international collaborations. Moreover, job requirements have become exceedingly specific making eligibility requirements itself challenging.