Columns

• Innovating science education and empowering the next generation: In conversation with Somdatta Karak

  

  Science isn’t a luxury—it’s a way to understand and navigate the world,” says Somdatta Karak, biologist and science communicator. In this interview, she recounts her journey from Teach For India to spearheading pioneering outreach programmes at CSIR-CCMB. From empowering underrepresented students through projects such as Milo CCMB and Project Abhilasha to constructing mentorship bridges between scientists and learners, Somdatta presents an unassailable argument for inclusive, experiential, and value-based science education in India.
  

  Posted on May 23, 2025 in Education, Networking, School Education & Education

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• Science for all: How citizen science is transforming research through community participation

  

  Citizen science is research conducted with the help of the general public, where amateur, non-professional, and passionate individuals are provided with an opportunity to contribute to science. It serves as a medium to foster scientific curiosity and collaboration between scientists and society, enabling individuals to contribute to data collection, organisation, and analysis—which are key elements in evidence-based decision-making and addressing community challenges through research and policy initiatives. Additionally, it also helps alleviate the workload and conserve the bandwidth of scientists and experts, allowing them to focus better on advancing research and innovation.
  

  Posted on May 19, 2025 in Education, Science Communication, Training, Teaching, School Education & Education

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• The case for a resounding framework for AI-biotech convergence

  

  The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with biotechnology has ushered in a period of innovation in healthcare. The interdisciplinary nature of AI enables it to analyse and interpret large data sets from multiple domains. In the case of the life sciences, AI-biotech convergence holds the potential to alter the landscape of diagnostics, monitoring of disease progression, precision medicine, and prediction of public health threats.
  

  Posted on May 16, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Biotechnology, Science, Policy, Interdisciplinarity & Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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• Nurturing resilience through student-centric retreat

  

  The relentless pursuit of knowledge in the world of scientific research often comes at a cost. Demanding deadlines, intense competition, and the pressure to publish groundbreaking results frequently lead to overwhelming stress and burnout among researchers. This is a global phenomenon, but the impact is particularly acute in rapidly developing nations like India, where resources are limited, and the pressure to contribute significantly to the global scientific landscape is immense.

  Posted on May 12, 2025 in Education, Networking, School Education & Education

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• A CARE-driven approach to Indian genomics

  

  The Genome India Project—an effort to sequence 10,000 genomes from 83 population groups across the country, represents a turning point in India's transition to precision health. This historic initiative heralds the dawn of a health genomics revolution, but also raises pressing concerns about long-standing disparities in global genomics research, where South Asian populations are grossly underrepresented. As India enters this new frontier, issues of data privacy, informed consent, and community sovereignty are paramount. To fully realise the potential of genomic medicine for all, India needs to establish an inclusive, ethically grounded framework aligned with international benchmarks and culturally responsive governance that prioritises both scientific advancement and social justice.

  Posted on May 02, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Genetics, Science, Research & Interdisciplinarity

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• Arts and culture in discussing AMR

  

  Imagine Raj from the movie, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge rushing to Balwant Singh’s store to buy an antibiotic without a prescription. How would and should Singh react to this? If Raj is buying the antibiotic for Singh’s dear daughter, Simran, would those reactions change?
  

  Posted on Apr 28, 2025 in Education, Science Communication, School Education & Education

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• Catalysts of change: How PKC is aligning with NEP 2020 to build a brighter future

  

  India's National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) envisions an education system that aligns with the aspirations of 21^st century learning. It highlights the importance of nurturing human potential, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering regional ecosystems for education, research, and innovation. The policy also aims to promote inclusivity and equitable quality education while cultivating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
  
  

  Posted on Apr 21, 2025 in Education, Science Communication, Training, Teaching, School Education & Education

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