Celebrating Science Powered by Her on International Women's Day 2026

What first sparked your interest in science, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your professional and personal journey?

My fascination with science, especially Mathematics, and also with Tamil literature, began in school, nurtured by both my teachers and my father, who encouraged me to solve simple problems around me. I recall actively participating in quiz competitions not only in science but even in literature and it gave me a broader perspective to connect disciplines. An example I found is in Thirukural, old Tamil Couplets which explain and emphasize the balance of nutrients and science. By the time I reached high school, I found myself drawn to chemistry, especially organic chemistry. I began to explore science beyond textbooks. Reading biographies has immensely helped me to grow as a person and sparked a deeper appreciation for science. A defining influence was Prof K.S. Viswanathan, whom I met during a summer internship at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam while pursuing my master’s degree. He introduced me to the works and lectures of Prof Richard Feynman, encouraging me to approach research with curiosity and intellectual openness.

Could you share about mentors, role models, or scientists (past or present), who had a defining influence on your career?

I have been fortunate to learn from several inspiring mentors throughout my academic journey. Foremost, at IISc, Prof Chandrasekaran, my PhD supervisor, helped me to develop confidence to think independently and was there to support me at any stage. I am deeply grateful to my postdoctoral mentors Prof. Hedstrom and Prof. Cuny for their tremendous training followed by Prof. Gray and Prof. Sabatini for their unconditional support to take risks and explore unconventional research paths. From our founding Director at IIT Gandhinagar Prof. Jain, I learnt the emphasis on empathetic leadership. Dear Dr. Abdul Kalam has been a big source of inspiration and simplicity. I fondly remember his words from his book - Wings of Fire, “We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.”

How do you see the landscape for women in Indian science evolving, especially with growing opportunities in research, startups, and innovation ecosystems?

The past 15 years have seen remarkable progress for women in science in India. Today, opportunities in research, startups, and innovation ecosystems are far more abundant and encouraging. For me, IIT Gandhinagar has been instrumental in fostering an environment where women researchers feel supported and valued. I had tremendous workload and pressure to perform as Dean of Student Affairs for last 5 years, but I had great support from administration and staff which made me take up the leadership role without much hesitation. I received encouragement, resources, and confidence needed to advance in my field. Wonderful colleagues with encouraging ecosystem enabled me to take the important step of launching our startup Procyl Therapeutics while balancing my research and administrative responsibilities. Eventually the culture of an institute is very important to support an individual’s growth. Walking along with others as a team is the path to succeed in whatever we do.

What advice would you give to young girls or early-career women aspiring to pursue STEM fields today?

Rosalind Franklin once said, “Science for me gives a partial explanation of life.” For me as well, science is driven by a deep curiosity about the world at a molecular level. This curiosity never ceased to inspire me and continues to shape my journey as a researcher. To young girls and women entering STEM, my advice is to embrace this natural curiosity in them and pursue it fearlessly. Simple inquiries, such as “Why does sugar taste sweet?” or “What makes cooking salt salty?” may seem basic, but they often drive important scientific exploration. Whether one explores them through basic chemical structure of sugar and salt or interesting biology of receptors, or any another field, it is in these questions that the true excitement of discovery begins. The opportunities are plenty, be aware of them and be thankful for every opportunity. I will conclude quoting Richard Feynman’s words: “I think my life is fuller because I realize that I don’t know what I’m doing.” This curiosity of not knowing is the driving force to pursue science.

What first sparked your interest in science, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your professional and personal journey?

I think my journey into science began with simple curiosity. I was always drawn to the unknown, constantly asking questions about how things worked. In many ways, science felt like it was genetically passed on to me—my mother was a chemistry teacher, and our home was filled with conversations about experiments, elements, and the logic behind nature. That early exposure quietly shaped my thinking. However, the real turning point came during high school when I was selected for the Kerala State “Promotion of Excellence among Gifted Children” programme. It was a talent-based selection, and only a small group of students were chosen. For the first time, science moved beyond textbooks. We visited laboratories, conducted experiments, and interacted with working scientists. I vividly remember the excitement of stepping into a research lab and realizing discovery was a living process. That experiential exposure transformed my curiosity into conviction and inspired me to pursue a career as a researcher/Scientist.

Could you share about mentors, role models, or scientists (past or present), who had a defining influence on your career?

I often say my parents are the biology and chemistry of my life. My mother, my first teacher, didn’t just teach science—she lived it, and that spirit quietly shaped me. My father, on the other hand, stood firmly behind me, respecting my decisions and giving me the freedom to evolve into who I am today. That balance of guidance and trust made all the difference. In school and college, I was fortunate to have teachers who were deeply nurturing—almost motherly in their care—and powerful guiding spirits in my formative years. Two remarkable mentors acted as real catalysts in my journey: the late Dr. Manoj Narayan, who inspired me to think like a biotechnologist, and Dr. Biju Dharmapalan, who taught me that being a scientist also means being a communicator and influencer. Later, interacting with inspiring leaders like Prof. Ashutosh Sharma further ignited in me the importance of inclusivity and interdisciplinary thinking in science.

How do you see the landscape for women in Indian science evolving, especially with growing opportunities in research, startups, and innovation ecosystems?

The curve is definitely moving upward—opportunities and awareness for women in science are growing steadily. I see more women willing to take risks, step beyond comfort zones, and make their mark across diverse verticals. As an INSA Woman Associate, I had the privilege of meeting an inspiring sisterhood—brilliant minds who navigated male-dominated, challenging spaces and still created their own unique identities. Their journeys were powerful reminders that resilience and excellence can coexist.

At the same time, there is still work to be done. We must evolve the social fabric that shapes expectations and opportunities. Equally important, women must nurture confidence and win the internal battles of self-doubt first. The playing field is not identical for both genders, and acknowledging that reality is essential.

Encouraging signs include:

• Greater visibility of women leaders
• Stronger peer networks and mentorship
• Increasing interdisciplinary opportunities
• Growing acceptance of flexible career pathways

Seeing many women consciously take up these challenges to fulfill their dreams is truly heartening.

What advice would you give to young girls or early-career women aspiring to pursue STEM fields today?

Shamelessly pursue your dreams. Do not shrink them to fit someone else’s comfort. Ask for help when you need it—support often comes from unexpected places, across genders and generations, if your passion is genuine and your intent is sincere. Never limit yourself by assumptions.

Remember, challenges are rarely roadblocks; they are disguised opportunities. Enjoy the journey instead of being obsessed with outcomes. Growth happens in the process. Build a sisterhood and a supportive ecosystem around you—collaboration almost always outperforms competition in the long run.

Make real-life connections. Mentors, peers, friends—each adds a piece to the puzzle of your life. Complete it in your own unique way, without comparing timelines or measuring your worth against someone else’s achievements.

Stay child-like in curiosity, fearless in learning, and passionate in action. Let integrity be your compass pointing north.

And above all:

• Invest in continuous learning
• Protect your mental well-being
• Celebrate small wins
• Lift others as you rise

What first sparked your interest in science, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your professional and personal journey?

My mother was the youngest of ten siblings in a farming household, my father was the eldest and had to work to support his four younger siblings – both of them couldn’t study beyond matriculation. However, they were both passionate about education. My youngest uncle got admission to IIT-Bombay in 1971, and they got a chance to visit – this was before I was born. They saw the campus and decided that their child (boy or girl) would study in this place. So, my journey into science was decided even before I was born and with no consideration of gender. I grew up with a single-minded obsession of getting into IIT. Fortunately, that was well-aided by my love of numbers which I found extremely logical and pure with science being the natural progression. What that evolved into was the natural tendency to gravitate towards hard problems, to keep challenging myself and learning, and to keep a single-minded focus towards any goal.

Could you share about mentors, role models, or scientists (past or present), who had a defining influence on your career?

I had many people influence my scientific journey.

I completed my PhD at Penn State University in the US. My PhD guide was a woman (Prof. Kristen Fichthorn), and I was her first PhD student. She said to me once — “Research is like falling in love – you want to know everything about that subject and you keep digging for more” — words I appreciated much later in my life.

After my PhD, I joined Unilever R&D in India. A company that makes everyday products of use — soaps and skin creams and laundry detergents. The day I got confirmed — my R&D head (Dr. C. V. Natraj) called me to his office and said to me, “Janhavi – the products that you work on may be mundane but the science that goes into it does not have to be so” — have lived by that all my career.

How do you see the landscape for women in Indian science evolving, especially with growing opportunities in research, startups, and innovation ecosystems?

I see the landscape as very favourable — there are many role models in India and globally and women scientists have broken many barriers to create significant impact in various sectors and functions. The challenge, however, is the gap in opportunity for women in the underprivileged strata of society. This disparity highlights the need for continued efforts to ensure that all women, regardless of their background, have access to education and support to pursue careers in science. It is incumbent for women who have benefited from these opportunities to actively work towards creating pathways for others. By doing so, they can help nurture a growing community of empowered, open-minded women who are not shackled by their social or economic status and more importantly by their own lack of education and confidence.

What advice would you give to young girls or early-career women aspiring to pursue STEM fields today?

As Oscar Wilde said — “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”

• Stand up for others — not everyone gets the same opportunity
• Irreverence is good — challenge the dogmas
• Never feel entitled — practice humility & gratitude
• Be kind to all — definitely to yourself

In recent times, a book that really spoke to me was Breaking Through: My Life in Science by Katalin Karikó, the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physiology. I would strongly recommend it to all young girls and early-career women. The conviction of Katalin in the methodology and ethos of a scientific pursuit is inspiring. She personifies the mantra that there is no better way to lead a life than in the pursuit of scientific enquiry.