Pratidhvani - Humanizing Science

Pratidhvani - Humanizing Science

By G V Pavan KumarScience
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Pratidhvani - Humanizing Science episodes

  • Ep. 52 : Conversation with Mayurika Lahiri – Intellectual Journey of a Cancer Biologist

    Mayurika is a cancer biologist and a senior faculty member at IISER Pune : https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/biology/people/faculty/regular-faculty/mayurika-lahiri/289


    In this episode, we discuss her intellectual journey, how she became interested in molecular

    and cancer biology, her initiatives related to breast cancer research, and her role in the Genome India project.

    We had a wonderful conversation about various aspects of science in India and tried to understand it through the lens of gender equity. Mayurika speaks about women's representation in science and how and why it should improve.

    There are many interesting strands in this conversation, and each branch enriches the discussion.

    Listen, as we humanize science.


    References :

    1.      “Mayurika

    Lahiri - IISER Pune.” n.d. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/biology/people/faculty/regular-faculty/mayurika-lahiri/289.

    2.     “Webpage of

    Her Lab.” n.d. Lahirilab. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://lahirilab.wixsite.com/lahirilab.

    3.     “Dr.

    Mayurika Lahiri: A Flagbearer of Breast-Cancer Research.” n.d. Accessed April
    29, 2024. https://scicomm.iiserkol.ac.in/docs/1/pages/mayurika.html.

    4.     IISER Pune,

    dir. 2019. Episode 4, SciTalk@SMC Feat. Dr. Mayurika Lahiri (Associate
    Professor, IISER Pune). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNIpb2cywtg.

    5.     IISER Pune

    Science Activity Centre, dir. 2023. International Women’s Day Celebration:
    Talk by Dr  Mayurika Lahiri. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=S4l1HYxSKaE.

    6.    

    “Mayurika Lahiri (@MayurikaLahiri)
    / X.” 2024. X (Formerly Twitter). April 12, 2024. https://twitter.com/MayurikaLahiri.

     

    1 hr 53 min
  • Ep. 51: Conversation with Snigdha Thakur – Explorations in Computational Soft Matter and Life

    Snigdha is a computational soft condensed matter physicist

    and a senior faculty member at IISER Bhopal: https://sthakurlab.iiserb.ac.in/.

    She uses computational physics to explore a variety of soft matter systems, including active matter and, of late

    biological systems.

    In this conversation, we discuss her journey as a physicist and how she developed an interest in soft condensed matter. We also discussed leadership in physics, as she has been the Chair of her department and a Dean at IISER Bhopal.

    There are many things to learn from Snigdha, and I enjoyed this discussion on topics related to physics and the pursuit of science.

    Listen as we humanize science.


    References:

    1.     “Sthakur Group.” n.d. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://sthakurlab.iiserb.ac.in/.

    2.    “‪Snigdha

    Thakur - ‪Google Scholar.” n.d.
    Accessed April 16, 2024. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=q3X-5pQAAAAJ&hl=en.

    3.    Fourth Paradigm conference, dir. 2020. Designing

    Synthetic Nano Motors by Snigdha Thakur, IISER Bhopal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J8F2Wd9AzM.

    4.    “Principal Investigator | Raymond Kapral Research

    Group.” n.d. Accessed April 18, 2024. https://sites.chem.utoronto.ca/rkapral/content/principal-investigator.

    5.    Raman Research Institute, dir. 2018. Biomimetic

    Behaviour of Synthetic Particles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9BVx8_4D-k.

    6.    “Sunil Kumar’s Home Page.” n.d. Accessed April 18,

    2024. https://physics.iitm.ac.in/~sunil/.

    7.    Thakur, Snigdha, and Raymond Kapral. 2012.

    “Collective Dynamics of Self-Propelled Sphere-Dimer Motors.” Physical Review
    E 85 (2): 026121. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.026121.

    1 hr 58 min
  • Ep. 50 : Conversation with Sudipta Maiti : Exploring Molecular Biophysics with Light

    Sudipta is a molecular biophysicist who uses light and spectroscopy to study biologically relevant

    questions. He is a Professor at TIFR, Mumbai: http://www.biophotonics.co.in/

    In this episode, we discussed

    what drew him to biophysics, his journey in establishing biophotonics as a
    research area in India, his motivation to start the FCS workshop and his
    thoughts on science in India. There are many other strands of discussion
    related to the pursuit of science, which the listeners may enjoy and learn
    from.

    Listen as we humanize science.


    References:

    1.     “Biophotonics Lab.” n.d. Biophotonics Lab.

    Accessed April 12, 2024. http://biophotonics.weebly.com/.

    2.     “‪Sudipta Maiti - ‪Google Scholar.” n.d.

    Accessed April 12, 2024. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=_exYXS8AAAAJ&hl=en.

    3.     “Sudipta Maiti (@SudiptaMaiti13) / X.” 2024. X

    (Formerly Twitter). February 8, 2024. https://twitter.com/SudiptaMaiti13.

    4.     Berg, Jeremy M., Lubert Stryer, John L.

    Tymoczko, and Gregory J. Gatto. 2015. Biochemistry. 8th ed. edition. New
    York: WH Freeman.

    5.     Eaton, William A., and H. Peter Trommsdorff.

    2013. “Robin Main Hochstrasser (1931–2013), Giant of Physical Chemistry.” Proceedings
    of the National Academy of Sciences 110 (23): 9189–90. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1307692110.

    6.     “Fluorescence India.” n.d. Accessed April 12,

    2024. https://fluorescenceindia.org/.

    7.     “Measuring Serotonin Distribution in Live

    Cells with Three-Photon Excitation | Science.” n.d. Accessed April 12, 2024. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.275.5299.530.

    8.     “Watt W. Webb.” 2024. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Watt_W._Webb&oldid=1194542920.

    9.     “Watt Webb, Biological Imaging Techniques

    Pioneer, Dies | Cornell Chronicle.” n.d. Accessed April 12, 2024. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/11/watt-webb-biological-imaging-techniques-pioneer-dies.

    10.  Zipfel, Warren, Chris Xu, Elliot Elson, and

    Sudipta Maiti. 2021. “Memorial Viewpoint for Watt W. Webb: An Experimentalist’s
    Experimentalist.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 125 (11): 2793–95.
    https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c01045.


    2 hr 5 min
  • Ep. 48 : Conversation with Jayant Murthy - Space Missions, Science Outreach & Asteroid Namesake

    Jayant Murthy is a distinguished Senior Professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. His research focuses on space missions, interstellar dust, and diffuse radiation fields. With a rich scientific background, a deep love for teaching and notable contributions to the discipline, Murthy's work exemplifies excellence in astrophysical research.

    Explore further at Jayant Murthy's website: https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Home.html


    In this episode we discuss his biography. He explained how and why he became interested in astronomy and astrophysics. His ventures in teaching and a freewheeling discussion on science, rationality and society.

    Jayant was recently commemorated with the naming of asteroid "(215884) Jayantmurthy" by the IAU, acknowledging his significant advancements in ultraviolet astronomy and space missions. We explore how that happened.


    There are many other interesting strands in the conversation. Listen, as we humanize science.


    References :

    1. Jayant Murthy [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Home.html (accessed 4.2.24).
    2. ‪Jayant Murthy‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬ [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=Gdv6OEsAAAAJ&hl=en (accessed 4.2.24).
    3. Bureau, T.H., 2024. Asteroid named after Bengaluru Professor. The Hindu.
    4. Henry, R.C., 2005. The mental Universe. Nature 436, 29–29. https://doi.org/10.1038/436029a
    5. IIAstrophysics [@IIABengaluru], 2024. We are happy to announce that the asteroid 2005 EX296 has been named as “(215884) Jayantmurthy” by @IAU_org in honour of Prof Jayant Murthy! He is Honorary Prof & former acting director at IIA. @dstindia @doot_iia @asipoec @fiddlingstars @SPG_IIA https://t.co/E1k6MytYsY. Twitter.
    6. International Astronomical Union | IAU [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iau.org/ (accessed 4.2.24).
    7. Jayant’s Class Presentations [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Teaching.html (accessed 4.2.24).
    8. Kumar, A., Ghosh, S.K., Hutchings, J., Kamath, P.U., Kathiravan, S., Mahesh, P.K., Murthy, J., Nagbhushana, S., Pati, A.K., Rao, M.N., Rao, N.K., Sriram, S., Tandon, S.N., 2012. Ultraviolet imaging telescope (UVIT) on ASTROSAT, in: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray. Presented at the Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, SPIE, pp. 455–466. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.924507
    9. Latest Updates | Astronomical Society of India [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.astron-soc.in/ (accessed 4.2.24).
    10. Murthy, J., Henry, R.C., Overduin, J., 2023. Dust scattered radiation in the galactic poles. J Astrophys Astron 44, 82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-023-09973-5
    11. Professor Richard Conn Henry [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://henry.pha.jhu.edu/rch.html (accessed 4.2.24).
    12. Singh, K.P., et al., 2014. ASTROSAT mission, in: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray. Presented at the Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, SPIE, pp. 517–531. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2062667
    13. Slide 1 [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Teaching_files/history_of_astronomy/siframes.html (accessed 4.2.24).
    14. Zachariah, P., 2024. ‘Our world is built on basic science, and part of basic science is rationality.’ The Hindu.
    15. ಡಾ. ನಳಿನಿಮೂರ್ತಿ | Dr. Nalini Murthy – Hemanth Sahitya, n.d. URL https://hemanthsahitya.com/book-author/d-nalinimurthy/ (accessed 4.3.24).

      16. 1 hr 59 min
    16. Ep. 47 : Conversation with Umkant Rapol : Journey through Atomic Physics & Quantum Technologies

      Umakant is an atomic physicist who is innovating on quantum optical technologies. What motivated him to study this fascinating area ? What has been his journey in atomic physics, quantum optics and the resultant technologies? We discuss this and many other things in this episode.

      Umakant Rapol, an accomplished experimental physicist, is known for his innovative research in quantum technologies.

      He is currently Professor of physics at IISER. Pune, Physics Department, Pune - India.  http://sites.iiserpune.ac.in/~umakant.rapol/team/

      His research

      interests are in the area of Atomic Physics and Quantum optics. He has an
      active research group at IISER – Pune, working in the areas of Ultra-cold atoms
      and ions for precision Optical Metrology, Quantum Information processing and
      Quantum optics and in Quantum technologies ranging from Quantum computing to
      Quantum sensors.

      His work explores the dynamics of quantum systems, focusing

      on atom optics and quantum information processing. Leading a research group at
      IISER Pune, Umakant conducts pioneering experiments in quantum information
      processing and quantum optics, advancing the field of quantum technologies.
      With a solid foundation in fundamental physics and extensive experience in
      experimental research, Umakant Rapol is a key figure in the realm of quantum
      research, making significant contributions to the development and application
      of quantum technologies.


      Listen as we humanize science. 


      References

      :

      1.       Umakant Rapol (@RapolUmakant) / X

      [WWW Document], 2021. . X (formerly Twitter). URL
      https://twitter.com/RapolUmakant (accessed 3.23.24).

      2.       Atomic physics and quantum optics

      Lab - Team [WWW Document], n.d. URL
      http://sites.iiserpune.ac.in/~umakant.rapol/team/ (accessed 3.23.24).

      3.       Indian Institute of Science, n.d.

      URL https://iisc.ac.in/events/remembering-prof-vasant-natarajan-1965-2021/
      (accessed 3.23.24).

      4.       ‪Umakant D. Rapol - ‪Google Scholar

      [WWW Document], n.d. URL
      https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=VaQjNL8AAAAJ&hl=en (accessed
      3.23.24).

      5.       Umakant Rapol’s lab - Home [WWW

      Document], n.d. URL http://sites.iiserpune.ac.in/~umakant.rapol/ (accessed
      3.23.24).


      1 hr 58 min
    17. Ep. 46 : Conversation with Sandhya Koushika - Neuroscientist Exploring Her Path

      Sandhya Koushika is a Neurobiologist

      and a faculty member at the Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai : https://www.tifr.res.in/~dbs/faculty/koushika/people.html

      Her research focuses on understanding cargo transport in neurons, a critical process for nervous system development and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

      In this free-wheeling conversation, we discuss her biographical journey and how she got interested in science and became a biologist. We discuss the story of trials and tribulations while exploring this path. There are many interesting strands in this conversation, including thoughts on science in India, science careers, perseverance, curiosity, and many other facets of the philosophy of science.

      There is a nice segment in Tamil and Hindi and a discussion on books that have influenced her.

      Listen, as we humanize science…. 


      REFERENCES:

      1.      Sandhya Koushika (@WormlockHolmes) / X [WWW

      Document], 2024. . X (formerly Twitter). URL https://twitter.com/WormlockHolmes
      (accessed 3.20.24).

      2.      Home: The Koushika Lab [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.tifr.res.in/~dbs/faculty/koushika/index.html

      (accessed 3.19.24).

      3.      Menon, G., Koushika, S., 2010. Takes two to

      tango. Nature India. https://doi.org/10.1038/nindia.2010.30

      4.      Koushika, S., Barua, D., 2010. Removing barriers

      in Indian biosciences. Nature India. https://doi.org/10.1038/nindia.2010.51

      5.      People:

      The Koushika Lab [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.tifr.res.in/~dbs/faculty/koushika/people.html
      (accessed 3.19.24).

      6.      Research: The Koushika Lab [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.tifr.res.in/~dbs/faculty/koushika/research.html

      (accessed 3.19.24).

      7.      Sandhya Koushika, 2024. . Wikipedia.

      8.      Sandhya Koushika, Department of Biological Sciences, TIFR, Mumbai [WWW Document], n.d.

      URL https://www.tifr.res.in/~dbs/faculty/S_Koushika.html
      (accessed 3.19.24).

      9.      ‪Sandhya P. Koushika - ‪Google Scholar [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=c4zDSQ8AAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

      (accessed 3.19.24).

      10.  Thattai, M., Koushika, S., 2009. Life sciences in India: looking back, looking forward,

      looking great. natindia. https://doi.org/10.1038/nindia.2009.84

       

      2 hr 16 min
    19. Ep. 44: Conversation with Deepak Dhar - Statistical Physicist par Excellence

      Deepak Dhar is an Indian theoretical physicist known for his research on statistical physics and stochastic processes.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepak_Dhar

      In 2022, he became the first Indian to receive the Boltzmann Medal, the highest recognition in statistical physics awarded once every three years by IUPAP. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2023.

      In this episode, we discuss his biography and explore how and why he became interested in science. When

      he was at Caltech, Deepak was Richard Feynman's teaching assistant. He narrates some fascinating stories regarding Feynman. Further, we discuss scientific
      thinking, and how he looks at biology from a physics viewpoint.

      There is also a small segment in Hindi, and many other strands of conversation, which are engaging, educative

      and fascinating.

      Listen, as we humanize science.


      References :

      1.      ‪Deepak Dhar - ‪Google Scholar [WWW

      Document], n.d. URL https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=dl1wQfwAAAAJ&hl=en
      (accessed 3.3.24).

      2.      Dhar, D., 1990. Self-organized critical state of sandpile automaton models. Phys.

      Rev. Lett. 64, 1613–1616. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.1613

      3.      Dhar, D., Ramaswamy, R., 1989. Exactly solved model of self-organized critical

      phenomena. Phys. Rev. Lett. 63, 1659–1662. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.1659

      4.      India in Focus: Prof. Deepak Dhar Honoured with the Boltzmann Medal | Principal

      Scientific Adviser [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.psa.gov.in/article/india-focus-prof-deepak-dhar-honoured-boltzmann-medal/4219
      (accessed 3.3.24).

      5.      The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences, 2024. .

      Wikipedia.

      6.      The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences [WWW

      Document], 2021. URL https://web.archive.org/web/20210212111540/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/MathDrama/reading/Wigner.html
      (accessed 3.3.24).

       

      1 hr 59 min
    20. Ep. 43 : Conversation with Anisa Chorwadwala - Optimization of Shapes and Life via Mathematics

      Anisa Chorwadwala is faculty member at the

      Department of Mathematics, at the Indian Institute of Science Education and
      Research (IISER) in Pune, India.

      https://sites.google.com/site/anisa23in/

      In this episode we discussed how and why she

      got interested in mathematics, an interesting segment on learning in mother tongue,
      her journey through economic and social barriers. How she overcame them, and
      how she is brings in an element of culture to her work. Also discussion on women
      in mathematics and her work related to it.

      Anisa is an expert in Shape Optimization

      Problems. An active member of the academic community, she has been involved in
      various research activities and programs. Anisa's dedication
      to her field is evident through her participation in training programs and
      interacting with students. With a strong focus on academia and research, Anisa
      Chorwadwala continues to make significant contributions to the field of
      Mathematics and her academic community.

      References

      :

      1.      Anisa (@Anisa93030121) / X [WWW

      Document], 2023. . X (formerly Twitter). URL https://twitter.com/Anisa93030121
      (accessed 2.23.24).

      2.      ‪Anisa

      Chorwadwala - ‪Google Scholar [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=7um-qAkAAAAJ&hl=en
      (accessed 2.23.24).

      3.      Anisa

      Chorwadwala - IISER Pune [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/mathematics/people/faculty/regular-faculty/anisa-chorwadwala/253
      (accessed 2.23.24).

      4.      anisa23in

      - Anisa [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://sites.google.com/site/anisa23in/anisa
      (accessed 2.23.24).

      5.      anisa23in

      [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://sites.google.com/site/anisa23in/
      (accessed 2.23.24).

      6.      I

      know NOTHING! [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://forsureforsure.blogspot.com/
      (accessed 2.23.24).

      7.      Mathematics,

      I.W. and, n.d. Indian Women and Mathematics [WWW Document]. Indian Women and
      Mathematics. URL https://iwm.org.in/
      (accessed 2.28.24).

       

      1 hr 29 min

    About Pratidhvani - Humanizing Science

    From the publisher's feed

    Namaste, Hola, & Welcome from G.V. Pavan Kumar.