Interviews of October 2016

1.10.2016:

Dr. Partha P. Majumder:

Director, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kolkata. Did M.Sc and Ph.D. in statistics from Indian Statistical Institute. Is renowned for applying statistics to population genomic studies, susceptibility of certain populations to certain diseases and other areas of biology. His most recent paper published in Nature Genetics has made waves according to Dr. TVV - the paper proposes, based on study of Andaman tribes, that there was a 3rd species of prehumans besides Neanderthals and Denozoans. Another important study proposes 4 lineages cover most populations of India, with 5th lineage is exclusively in Andaman-Nicobar tribes. 4 lineages associated with 4 major language groups in India - north Indian population speaking Indo-Europen languages, south Indians speaking Dravidian languages, NE Indian people who speak Tibeto-Burmese family of languages and 4th that is limited to mainland tribes (Austro-Asiatic tribes??).

Another major research work is on canc. At a cellular level, canc. is solely a genetic disease, though that doesn't mean it is necessarily passed across generations. Working with a global consrtium to identify what DNA alterations are responsible for malignancies. Several types of DNA variations do not cause diseases, but a few do. So mass amount of data from population is needed to identify the dangerous alterations. This will help develop better diagnosis, identifying people at risk and better treatment techniques.

His institute has over 15 faculty members (working on application to biology) and says he doesn't have time to explain research work done by all. But says there are 2 major research groups, one working on infectious diseases and the other on chronic disease. One of the chronic diseases that is being researched upon is NAFLD - a study on some Indian populations found NAFLD in the absence of obesity or fatty deposits in other parts of the body - could there be genetic factors.

Another grouo looking at tuberclosis - explains how pathogens hiding in coconut shell-like structure to evade immune system attack. Immune system then goes to sleep and these pathogens use that opportunity to become active. Smewhat humorous animation illustrating this accomapnies.

Says ISI curriculum, in addition to large dose of mathematics, also has life sciences, social sciences etc. Says this was because the founder of ISI felt that statistics cannot thrive in isolation and had to be applied to other fields. Dr. Partha's father was a biologist who worked for fisheries dept. and biology was a passion for Dr. Partha too; perhaps that is what led him to focusing on statistics for biology.

1. Density of researchers is low in India.
2. Funding for resource-intensive biology research is either low or comes in sporadic bursts, not conitnuous.
3. Young Indian researchers abroad willing to return put off by lack of adequate research facilities in India.

Says he, as a long-time researcher, will take up these problems with the Indian govt.

8.10.2016:

Dr.Prashanth Goswami:

Director, CSIR-NISTADS (National Institute for Science, Technology and Applied Sciences). Expert in atmospheric and climatic modelling. M.Sc Physics from Guwahati Univ. Won Shanthi Swaroop Bhatnagar award in 2001. Doctorate in mathematical and theoretical physics. His doctorate work provided a geometrical framework for unified quantum field theory.

Decided to moved to applied science subsequently. Towards the end of 1980s and early 1990s, climate change became prominent. Since climate modelling requires understanding of maths, physics and algorithms, he chose that as his field of work.

Monsoon modelling is tricky and till early 2000s, India didn't have a fairly reliable monsoon prediction model. This was a problem for farmers as well as policymakers. Developed a model for monsson prediction - used neural networks.

Worked on a model for proactive control of vector/mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.

Vetiver is an aromatic medicinal plant has been found to be very good at carbon sequestering. Trying to give policy thrust to promote vetiver for carbon sequestering with the additional benefit of its being usable in medicine.

Mosquito population depends on cliamatic variables. Being able to predict spurt in mosquito population will help better anti-mosquito drive and prevent outbreaks of diseases like malaria.

TVV interested in knowing abut the vetiver-related work as he grew up in Chennain and during his childhood his family used to boil vetiver with drinking water for its supposed purifying properties.

Vetiver is a highly tolerant tropical plant. Found to be the most effective in carbon sequestering. Can be grown in wasteland, fallow land and is capable of being grown in most parts of India. Even if 10% of wasteland is used for vetiver cultivation, 40% or more of CO2 emissions can compensated for.

Another high-visibility research is related to "virtual water". Washington Post carried a report saying India, one of the most drought-affected countries, is actually exporting water in fruits. Rice is water-intensive and rice grain too contains substantial amount of moisture. China, since 960s, has maintained a positive water balance in its international trade, where as India, which is more water-starved, has had negative balance since 1990s.

His institute working on applied policy research. Vetiver work an example of applied policy research. Works on preparing documents for BRICS summit. Has a strong outreach programme. "Techno Foresight" is a part of this. Future forecasting - what will be the effect of policy decisions in long-term, 10 yrs 50 yrs, 100 yrs or more.

We need more scientists. India has a low density of scientists.

Reason for coming to science - he was an avid reader of science fiction during his school days and this was one of the main factors that inclined to take up science research.

15.10.2016:

Prof. Alok Dhawan:

Director, CSIR-IITR (Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow). Animal models toxicology.

INSA young scientist award in 1993, CSIR Young Scientist awardee in 1999, Vigyan Ratna and several other awards.

IITR started off as Industrial Toxicology Research Centre - its focus was on toxic effects in industrial sector, esp. mining which was accelerating after independence. Over a period of time, the institutes charter widened - nanomaterial toxicology, food additive toxicology, systems and human health toxicology, environmental toxicology. Institute takes a holistic picture in its toxicology research.

IITRs initial work helped bring about better protection for mining workers.

Students get impatient when doing PhD. Guides/supervsiors are there to guide students. Students need to be able to coin/identify tough questions and find answers to those to be able to become scientists.

His Ph.D. work focused on toxic effects of plastics, how it may cross blood-brain barrier and worked on neurotoxicology too. Says barrier between nose and brain is weaker than blood-brain barrier. Air pollution can therefore affect brain more easily than one may imagine.

For his PhD, worked on methods to give adequate quality control for plastics. Another areas was on pesticides. Brain metabolism of toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, was the subject of his PhD work.

His post-PhD fellowship work in the UK helped him bring back knowledge of DNA damage and repair mechanisms. Talks about his study on the impact of fumes (contains benzene, xylene, toluene etc.) on the health of petrol pump workers who spend 8-9 hours continuously exposed to petrol fumes.

Nanotechnology is going to affect all people as it is an over-arching technology that is becoming a part of every other technology. Contrasts this with green revolution, white revolution, pink revolution, IT revolution etc. which had a narrower scope. His institute looking at the possible toxic effects of nanomaterials. This work of the institute has helped bring about policy standards on safe handling of nanomaterials.

Talks about indoor air pollution - people are moving from one silo to another - workplace, train/car, home - all sealed air. Putting forth technologies to mitigate indoor air pollution. People spending more time indoors - more people working from home nowadays.

His father too was a director of a CSIR institute (CSIR's drug research institute).

IITR working on a water-purification system for schools, hospitals and villages. Trying to leverage solar power for such community-level water purifiers.

Message: Eat safe, drink safe, breath safe air. People have to take initiative to ensure they live in a safe environment. Government can only frame policies and laws.

22.10.2016:

Dr. T.N.Prakash:

Director, National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvanathapuram. Is a marine scientist - expert in coastal regulation and coastal management. Institute worked on sustainable mining based on sediment budgeting. Sediment budgeting used to prevent coastal erosion. Western coast on India has several rare metals like zirconium, titanium. Constructive waves push sea resources/materials from crust to coast - lighter metals tend to get pushed more than heavier ones. Damming of rivers reduces propagation of minerals from inland to coast. After 2004 tsunami, minerals from coastal areas pushed to lagoons, bringing down the concentration of minerals in coast. NCESS a nodal agency to demarcate areas for coastal zone regulation. Considerable expertise needed to determine high tide line. Geomorphic signature technique used for this.

Developed concept of setback lines in Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep - coral islands, different from Andaman which are volcanic islands. Corals reefs protect islands from sea's wave energy and help minimize erosion. Western part of all these islands have lagoons.

Worked on khondalite rock, which is predominant in southern India. Khondalite rock is a signature of lower crust. The institute was started in 1978 by Kerala state govt. and is now under the control of Central govt's Ministry of Earth Sciences.

This institute one of the earliest to work on paleomagnetism. Studies past magnetism of earth - helps find how pole positions have changes and how Indian subcontinent have moved to its current position.

Was a member of the Sagar kanya ship/vessel's early exploration in central/equatorial Indian ocean. It was India's first vessel dedicated to ocean exploration. Says the 45 day (or week?) exploration was fascinating.

Originally intended to study geology. A senior friend advised him to go for marine studies as it presents immense opportunities. Did M.Sc in marine geology following that advice.

Ambitious programme relating to Western ghats. Need to inculcate scientific temper in young students. Wishes to establish world-class geological museum. NCESS has 4 major groups - crustal, coastal, atmospheric sciences and one more. NCESS has PhD-level collaboration with several universities.

30.10.2016:

Dr.A.Ajayaghosh:

Director, National Institute of Inter-disciplinary Research (CSIR), Thiruvanathapuram. Working in this institute since 1988. Shanthi Swaroop Bhatnagar award recipient; also a recipient of Infosys Prize for Physical Sciences, one of the highest amount awards in India. Says he was born in a very poor family in a remote village in Quilon, Kerala, and that village is still remote! Says his school days were a struggle due to financial difficulties of his family. There was no good high school in his village. Fortunately a relative helped him study in a good high school in a different place - this was a turning point in his life. Had a highly motivated chemistry teacher who took personal interest in teaching by demonstration experimental physics,chemistry and bilogy to his students. Says high school education system is still "rotten" - follows ld style of teahcing. Appreciates the motivated high school chemistry teaches who was able to demonstrate things and inspire students.

Switched to research on molecular assembly, supramolecular chemistry, a relatively new area of chemistry research, after his research visit to Gemany in 1990s. Worked on photosensitive materials. TVV briefly explains fluorescence as Dr.Ajayaghosh talks about supramolecular fluorescence. Material absorbs light, electron excitation and later emits a part of the absorbed energy; difference in energy causes a shift in wavelength.

Working on plastic which degrades after use. May not completely degrade on its own but can degrade to a level from where bio-organisms can take over the degradation process.

Eureka moment: Discovery of "Pi gels". Narrates the story behind it. He was a tough teacher during his early days. Lost his patience with one of his students after 6 months of research and asked him where the molecule that he was supposed to synthesize was; the terrified student showed a conical flask that contained gel-like material and Dr.Ajayaghosh, after some initial confusion on how a molecule synthsis process could create so  much gels, realized it was an organic gel.

Institute's mandate - environment-friendly techniques for industries. Another area is providing agro-products, phyto-pharmaceuticals for spice industry and for Ayurvedic products.