My grandparents are teachers, and my parents are civil engineers. From a very young age, I saw how my grandparents were an important part of their students’ lives, when former students visited them as successful people. I saw the impact of my parent’s work when I traveled on the roads they helped build. The impact of their work on society inspired me. I decided that I, too, should improve and contribute to the lives of people around me and the world I live in, perhaps by becoming a doctor. Ultimately, I chose biomedical engineering and, today, I solve healthcare problems using optics.
My responsibilities as a PhD research scholar in a biophotonics lab include conducting research experiments and providing teaching assistance. I am developing a device that combines the advantages of multiple optical spectroscopic techniques for quickly identifying cancer and its margins during surgery. I also develop chemical samples called phantoms, which mimic the optical properties of cancerous tissue samples, using them for testing.
I consider choosing a research career in STEM, and being able to pursue it, an achievement in itself. I have been very fortunate to have parents who support me in every decision.
The biggest challenge in my career was during my master’s semester exchange program, when I started transitioning into optics from biomedical engineering. Learning something completely new while being away from my family was very challenging, but I didn’t give up. This challenging atmosphere taught me so much, that I chose to pursue my doctoral studies, primarily involving optics.
When I first started, I was unsure about pursuing research as my career and tried different career options before I understood my true passion lay in STEM research. Though the experience and knowledge I gained while working in other professional roles were good and beneficial in my research, I wish someone had told me to be confident in my decisions, to stop hesitating, and pursue what I wanted confidently.
I firmly trust that perseverance and giving one’s best effort will fetch the best results. It is OK to fall sometimes, but ensure you never fail to get up. Follow your passion confidently, work hard, and give out your best in whatever you choose to do. Strive to be a kind human being and make the world a better place to live.
Subitcha Jayasankar
PhD Research Scholar, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Biophotonics Lab, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
Born in India / Resides in India
Educational Background: B.Tech and M.Tech in Biomedical Engineering, Institute: SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India
