What is your current role? Tell us a bit about your research
I am a visiting Fulbright Scholar at Yale University and a graduate student at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, India. Molecular motors like kinesins and dynein are by far my favourite molecules inside the cell and my work is broadly trying to understand how does membrane trafficking of organelles like endosomes regulate synaptic homeostasis in the brain using fruit fly as a model system.
Why did you choose to participate in the ASAPbio Fellows program?
I have always been passionate to discuss different ways to make science as a discipline globally more accessible. Therefore, when I came across the ASAPbio Fellows program, I realised it would be a nice platform to meet a bunch of people who are young, motivated, and are willing to put in efforts collectively to make things better in many different ways. I also thought it would be a nice way to learn more about the importance of preprints in promoting open science.
What are you excited about in science communication?
Hah! It’s hard to answer this one because there’s nothing about science communication I don’t enjoy – so in short, everything! At TIFR, we enjoy the privilege of working at a place that has a very active outreach team which organises many programs like Frontiers of Science and National Science Day celebrations where thousands (literally!) of school kids visit TIFR and folks at TIFR (professors, students, and staff alike!) try to present all-things-science in a super fun and interactive way. The joy it brings to all – I think it’s very very hard to put that in words!! These (and many more I haven’t spoken about) days leave you SO happy and satisfied simply because you realise how powerful and impactful science communication can be.
Ask me about…
Sunsets, food, hiking, photography, football, star-gazing/sky watching, Indian indie music, politics, mental health, importance of kindness…and anything else you like!