WOMEN
IN SCIENCE
Zeroing In brings to you a series of beautiful conversations with some of the pioneering women researchers from varied fields of STE(A)M, touching upon the essential elements from the life of a researcher, and on the challenges brought in owing to the social and cultural contexts of the Indian subcontinent in the flourishing fields of S&T. Are we flourishing and making space for a gender-equal world, as responsibly as we should in the twenty-first century?
EXPLORE
IN CONVERSATION WITH
Prof. Rama Govindarajan
On Nurturing a Calling & Surmounting Complex Flow Patterns
"Senior Professor, International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bengaluru"The episode features a beautifully nurturing conversation with a leading exponent in the field of fluid mechanics and aerodynamics internationally, Prof. Rama Govindarajan. A Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee (2007), Prof. Govindarajan's work in the field has opened up new avenues for research and interconnections to other previously ‘unrelated’ disciplines that allow new insight to looking at the highly complex problems prevalent in fluid dynamics at different natural scales. In our conversation, hosted by Dr. Dhavala Suri and Naman Jain, we discussed at length about her formative years, ideas, and the source of her simplicity, whilst also digging into the excitement of research and what inspired her research trajectory at different points in time. Her group's work focuses on surmounting the problems in fluid dynamics, with specific interest in flow instabilities in different characteristic regimes, cloud fluid dynamics, and combined dynamics of deformable solids and liquids, to name a few highlights. Dive in to the fascinating conversation lush with instances of stunning simplicity permeating in life as the knack for asking brilliant questions through research, and an inspiringly thought-provoking take at the natural world.
From conversation on: Jan 04, 2023
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IN CONVERSATION WITH
Prof. Archana Kamal
On Finding the Definition of a Quantum Quest
"Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts, Lowell."Quantum information science and engineering forms the forefront of the current research landscape of physics. Despite being a relatively new arena, it is lush with science that is rapidly developing and addressing our fundamental understanding of the universe. Our guest for this episode, Prof. Archana Kamal, leads a group at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, that deals with and adds to the gamut of flourishing ideas in the same stead. In our conversation with her, we discussed about her journey which led her to discover her own calling, the brilliant depth of a passionate calling, and the field, simultaneously, as a scientific researcher. Being a thorough physicist herself, who likes to deal with theoretical ideas as deeply, as she is adept at performing complex experiments in laboratories - she unveiled her perspectives on the process, and practices of working in such a swift-flowing field of research that lines up to form the top running contenders for quantum computing and the new world technological revolution. Dive in to the full episode to hear on!
From conversation on: Dec 17, 2022
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IN CONVERSATION WITH
Prof. Shobhana Narasimhan
On Condensing Towards a Gender Equal Scientific World
"Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru."Understanding the behaviour of large molecules and nanoparticles is as complex a task, as it is quintessential towards building new technologies in this fast paced turn of century. Our guest for this episode Prof. Shobhana Narasimhan is a Professor at the JNCASR, Bengaluru leading a group working on addressing these questions through computational and theoretical perspectives. She uses the techniques of density functional theory to design novel nanomaterials, with applications in fields such as nanocatalysis and spintronics, to understand why the properties of matter change at nanoscale. In our conversation, we discussed about her formative years, inspiration towards pursuing a scientific career, and her very active work towards building a more gender-equal science community, by analysing and addressing various aspects of the major issues in the present world. She also talked about her personal experiences as a scientist and more importantly, as a female researcher, looking forward to a more inclusive community.
From conversation on: Nov 19, 2022
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IN CONVERSATION WITH
Dr. Darshana Joshi
On Shattering Barriers of Inequitable Opportunities in STEM Careers
"Founder and CEO, Vigyaanshala International, Physicist and Entrepreneur"In the first episode of the series, we invite you to experience the awe-inspiring story of Dr. Darshana Joshi, a physicist, and the founder and CEO of Vigyanshaala International, through which she is working on popularizing science and generating quality resources and opportunities for science education in India and beyond. Ultimately aiming to empower students and teachers alike, with a special focus on creating equal opportunities for women candidates, and moving towards a more gender neutral world of STEM with equitable opportunities to explore the wonders of science and technology. In our conversation with her, she opened up about her personal journey in science, academia, and the research world, moving towards the education in India, and what moved her, setting her on the wonderful path that she is treading on, creating a very real change, up from the grassroot level. Listen on to hear about her work, and how her experiences are building towards nurturing the upcoming generations of the Indian community.
From conversation on: Sep 25, 2022
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IN CONVERSATION WITH
Dr. Vini Gautam
On Creating a Niche in a Multidisciplinary Scientific Exploration
"Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru"Getting to know, up close, with Prof. Vini Gautam, the greater glories of the journey foraying into a multidisciplinary field — majorly lying along the broad themes of neurobiology, physics, optoelectronics, prosthetics, bionic vision, and device engineering— of how shaping a scientific career first hand is a pursuit worth rejoicing each step of. Dr. Gautam has been through various stints of exploring different fields in her research career wherein after completing her PhD from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, she went on to the Australian National University as a postdoctoral research fellow. She held the position of an Assistant Professor at the University of Melbourne before moving to the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru as an Assistant Professor, where she currently leads her own lab at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering. We talk about the wonders of a career in research and the promise of the discovery of elemental truths that it brings along, but not without the nurturing challenges that inspire the very core of a human spirit. And more about what lies in store for such a beautiful vision!
From conversation on: Apr 29, 2024
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