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Resilience and Representation in Research
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Recent Columns

What has taken the malarial vaccines so long?
G Srinivas Reddy
In the rise of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens and infectious diseases, vaccines are a potent global health solution. Vaccines mimic the pathogens to train the immune system. The training allows the immune system to be quickly activated in the event of a real infection by the pathogen. Notable recent examples are vaccines against COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. While this was one of the greatest achievements in the history of vaccine development, the quest for vaccines against many pathogens has been challenging, resulting in little success. Why has that been the case? I will take you through one such example that I study; the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria.
Posted on Jan 08, 2026 in Health & Medicine, Science & Personal Experience
Reflections from working in the biotech industry: Key lessons and advice that have stayed
Ruchika Srivastava
Reflecting on her journey in biotechnology, Ruchika Srivastavacame to realise that the lessons she learnt extend far beyond the realm of science. They shape how we work, why we work, and how we connect with others, gradually becoming a way of life.
Posted on Jan 05, 2026 in Science & Advice

Conversations Older →
- Reflections from working in the biotech industry: Key lessons and advice that have stayed
  Ruchika Srivastava
  Reflecting on her journey in biotechnology, Ruchika Srivastavacame to realise that the lessons she learnt extend far beyond the realm of science. They shape how we work, why we work, and how we connect with others, gradually becoming a way of life.
  Posted on Jan 05, 2026 in Science & Advice
- Anjana Badrinarayanan on discovery science, DNA repair, and the Infosys Prize 2025
  Moumita Mazumdar
  IndiaBioscience spoke with Anjana Badrinarayanan, winner of the Infosys Prize 2025 in life sciences, about her scientific journey and research. In response to questions posed by IndiaBioscience, she reflected on the meaning of the award, her work on genome maintenance and DNA repair, the role of live-cell imaging in understanding dynamic cellular processes, and the responsibilities that come with scientific recognition.
  Posted on Jan 02, 2026 in Science & Advice
Education Older →
- Gamified teaching tools: Bhojtal lake
  Ananya Mukherjee, Arvind Kumar Sewda & Anu Kumari
  As per the fourth goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2023, providing quality education for all by 2030 is key to achieving equitable education. This becomes especially relevant after a global pandemic, during which 94% of the world’s student population was affected due to institutional closures. Teachers such as myself (Ananya) had to find emergency ways of handling the pandemic by trying different remote learning strategies. This had a disproportionate effect on students from marginalised communities in low- and middle-income countries.
  Posted on Nov 28, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Policy & Interdisciplinarity
- A feeling for biological sciences: Stories of early career biologists (Part 2)
  Aswathy Raveendran
  Building on her reflections on project Biotales, in this second part, Aswathy Raveendran delves into the creative journeys of early career biologists. Through workshops enabling artistic expression, participants shared deeply personal narratives that explore the emotional, intellectual, and ethical dimensions of doing science—offering educators and readers a window into the lived experience of life science research.
  Posted on Aug 22, 2025 in Education, Science Communication, Teaching, School Education & Education
Exploring Science Older →
- Molecular traffic jam: Redefining the thumb rules of biochemistry
  Sneha Banerjee
  Inside living cells, molecules move through extreme crowding, far from the ideal conditions of lab buffers. This dense, constrained environment reshapes protein folding, interactions, and drug behaviour. By mimicking this “molecular traffic jam”, researchers are redefining biochemical rules and developing more realistic models to improve drug discovery, delivery, and therapeutic precision.
  Posted on Dec 15, 2025 in Science Communication
- Sterile hybrids in nature: Biological limits or evolutionary assets?
  Navya Kunder & Varun Asediya
  They don’t pass on their genes, yet they pass on profound evolutionary insights. Sterile hybrids—from mules to lab-bred bees—are changing how we think about life, legacy, and the limits of nature.
  Posted on Jun 16, 2025 in Biotechnology, Science & Research
Indian Scenario Older →
- Stalled science: Why India’s human stem cell research has yet to take off?
  Kasturi Mahadik
  A recent breakthrough in China, where a diabetic woman regained insulin production through a stem cell transplant, highlights India’s urgent need to reflect on its own human stem cell research. Despite global advances, India lags behind in innovation and infrastructure. A nationwide survey now seeks to uncover why—and how to fix it.
  Posted on Nov 14, 2025 in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology & Ethics
- Greener cities, smarter choices: PKC’s sustainability projects for Pune
  Madhura Panse
  The Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs 2030) proposed by the United Nations urges governments, businesses, and individuals to take collective action against pressing social, economic and environmental challenges by 2030. With a core emphasis on sustainability and climate action, Pune Knowledge Cluster, (PKC) which is one of the eight knowledge cluster initiatives backed by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India (GoI), supports India’s commitment to the 2030 agenda.
  Posted on Sep 19, 2025 in Environmental Sciences, Other & Interdisciplinarity
Journey of a YI Older →
- Adapting to the rhythms of research, mentoring, and parenthood
  Sudipta Tung
  In this final article of the Journey of a Young Investigator 2025 series, Sudipta Tung from the Department of Biology, Ashoka University, writes about how his early research interactions shaped his scientific interests and the trials and tribulations of establishing and running a Drosophila evolution lab.
  Posted on Apr 14, 2025 in Other, Science, Networking, Personal Experience & Young Investigators
- The road less travelled: My path to becoming a PI in India
  Rajalakshmi Srinivasan
  Rajalakshmi Srinivasan leads the Aging Genomics lab at the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru. In this Journey of Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 article, she shares how her India-centric path has shaped her career and sheds light on the pros and cons of pursuing postdoctoral training in India.
  Posted on Apr 11, 2025 in Other, Science, Networking, Personal Experience & Young Investigators
Opinion Older →
- Spotlight on life science research: Open access highlights from Taylor & Francis
  Taylor & Francis India
  Open Access (OA) publishing continues to expand the visibility and impact of life science and biomedical research emerging from India. By enabling immediate and unrestricted access to scientific findings, OA articles are helping accelerate knowledge exchange globally and support wider societal application of research. This column highlights selected OA studies published by Taylor & Francis journals over the past few years, across plant biology, microbiology, environmental science, nanotechnology, and allied fields. Each featured article offers insights into scientific challenges with direct relevance to India and beyond.
  Posted on Dec 26, 2025 in Agriculture, Biochemistry, Health & Medicine, Research, Open Access & Publishing
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) & RDI Fund: An Overview
  Shivkumar Kalyanaraman
  In a new LinkedIn post, the CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, outlined how the foundation is evolving into India’s apex body for research, development, and innovation. Alongside strengthening core research grants, ANRF is preparing to operationalise ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, designed to channel patient capital into deep-tech, high-impact projects.
  Posted on Dec 11, 2025 in Funding
@IndiaBioscience Older →
- From the Young Investigators’ Meeting 2025: What do Institutional Representatives say about hiring?
  Aishwarya Segu
  At the 17th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM 2025) in Agra, IndiaBioscience asked representatives from different institutions and universities across India questions about faculty hiring. Let’s take a look at their responses.
  Posted on Apr 25, 2025 in Other, Leadership, Networking, Career Development, Advice & Young Investigators
- YIM 2025: Let’s hear from the organisers
  Yousuf Khan
  The 17th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM) is coming to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, from 3 to 7 March 2025, in partnership with Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (SNIoE). We interacted with the YIM 2025 organisers – Karishma S Kaushik, IndiaBioscience; Karthick Balasubramanian, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune; Rohini Garg and Anil Kumar Challa from the Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida – to catch a glimpse of what goes into organising yet another power-packed edition of YIM.
  Posted on Feb 14, 2025 in Networking, YIM, Networking and Collaboration & Events
PhD Cafe Older →
- 13 reasons why you should do a PhD
  Swagatama Mukherjee
  I always knew the “P” in PhD stood for “Philosophy,” but I couldn’t help but wonder—how does a degree in biology, for instance, translate to a ‘Doctor of philosophy’? Now, as I near the end of this journey and look back on the path I’ve travelled, I’m struck by how fitting that “Philosophy” part really is.
  Posted on Jun 09, 2025 in Women in Science & Personal Experience
- Attending a conference as a PhD researcher? Simple tips to make the most out of the experience
  Karishma Kaushik
  In this PhD café article, Karishma S Kaushik, IndiaBioscience, recounts her transformative experience at an American Society for Microbiology (ASM) conference during her PhD, highlighting mentorship, networking, and professional growth. She emphasises the conference's value beyond scientific input, offering tips for maximising benefits, including attending diverse sessions, and following up post the event.
  Posted on Nov 27, 2023 in Career Development, Personal Experience & Networking and Collaboration
Stories from Scientists Older →
- From PhD to Postdoc: My path to the Humboldt Research Fellowship
  Stephy Jose
  Stephy Jose, a postdoctoral researcher at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad, studied hydrodynamics and fluctuations in models of active particle motion during her PhD. In this article, she shares her journey of securing the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship and navigating the challenges of transitioning from PhD to postdoc.
  Posted on Mar 07, 2025 in Biophysics, Other, Science, Career Development & Personal Experience
- 10 Women, 10 Questions: Anindita Bhadra
  Sindhu M & Mohit Nikalje
  Anindita Bhadra, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Education, and Research (IISER) Kolkata, leads a lab focused on the behavioural ecology of dogs. In this ‘10 Women, 10 Questions’ interview, Bhadra discusses her career transitions—from shifting between different model systems to navigating from PhD to faculty member.
  Posted on Jan 03, 2025 in Science, Women in Science & Personal Experience
Funding Older →
- The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 – the ‘what’ and the ‘how’?
  Joel P. Joseph
  The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 in India aims to enhance research funding in universities and colleges, yet concerns persist regarding its autonomy and operational effectiveness. In this article from our current conversation series, Joel P. Joseph discusses the 'what' and 'how' of the NRF bill.
  Posted on Nov 06, 2023 in Policy, Funding & Ethics
- HFSP: Helping researchers make bold career moves
  Ankita Rathore, Anjana Badrinarayanan & Garima Rani
  In this article, part of community voices for our international grants awareness program (iGAP), Anjana and Garima share how the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) played an instrumental role in helping them make bold career moves and transform their research careers.
  Posted on May 15, 2023 in Career Development, Funding & Advice
SciTales by CCMB Older →
- What has taken the malarial vaccines so long?
  G Srinivas Reddy
  In the rise of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens and infectious diseases, vaccines are a potent global health solution. Vaccines mimic the pathogens to train the immune system. The training allows the immune system to be quickly activated in the event of a real infection by the pathogen. Notable recent examples are vaccines against COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. While this was one of the greatest achievements in the history of vaccine development, the quest for vaccines against many pathogens has been challenging, resulting in little success. Why has that been the case? I will take you through one such example that I study; the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria.
  Posted on Jan 08, 2026 in Health & Medicine, Science & Personal Experience
- How to turn your pet into a monster?
  Gopi Krishnan
  ‘Once upon a time, there lived Frankenstein’s monster, Yeti, Loch Ness monster, Godzilla, dragon, and a goldfish…’ Surprised to see a goldfish in the league of monsters? Then let’s also add that while the others are fictional, a goldfish might be a real threat we are looking at. We are talking of biological invasions.
  Posted on Dec 04, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Science & Personal Experience
- Mitochondria: The guardians of immunity!
  Sai Poojitha
  Posted on Nov 06, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Science, Personal Experience
- Will I be healthy? Can genetic testing predict?
  Sara Sajjadi
  Posted on Oct 09, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Science, Personal Experience
Resilience and Representation in Research Older →
- Resilience and representation in research: In conversation with Anuradha Vaidya
  Gayathri Sreedharan
  In a country where barely 11% of universities (1,2,3) are headed by women, Anuradha Vaidya’s ascent within academia holds a certain narrative power. As the Director of Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences and the Head of Symbiosis Centre for Stem Cell Research, Anuradha holds together two thriving research ecosystems under her vision. Hers is more than just a professional success story, it offers us a window into what academic leadership is like for a young woman in the country, inhabiting a space not primarily designed with her in mind.
  Posted on Dec 29, 2025 in Other, Women in Science, Personal Experience & Advice
- Resilience and representation in research: In conversation with Mayurika Lahiri
  Moumita Mazumdar
  During a conversation with Mayurika Lahiri, Associate Professor of Biology at IISER Pune, as she shared about geographic transitions, systemic challenges for women in science, and finding 'her tribe', we saw a career path with adaptability and determination to speak up for herself and for her community. From training in the UK and the USA to establishing her research lab in Pune, Mayurika's story underscores that considerable personal strength is required to navigate systemic and cultural challenges.
  Posted on Nov 24, 2025 in Other, Women in Science, Personal Experience & Advice
Featured Authors
- Anil Kumar Challa
- Asim Auti
- Moumita Mazumdar
  IndiaBioscience
- Sreshtha Mondal
  IndiaBioscience
- Urvashi Bhattacharyya
  Urvashi (Raheja) Bhattacharyya is a Senior Research Analyst with StudyMode with a Ph.D in Neuroscience from NCBS, Bangalore. She loves writing about education and health care and has been associated with IndiaBioscience since 2015.