Did you have a role model that influenced your decision to work in science? Ans: I did not have any role model. I was always interested in science. Science surrounding me, starting from my kitchen to the universe, has made me curious in it. I started with very small experiments in school such as dissolving color in water or the deflection of magnetic compass due to earth magnet. Understanding little things that happen in the surroundings of our daily life has encouraged me to explore science.

Why did you choose to become a scientist? Ans: I only wanted to know more about science and becoming a scientist is a consequence of that interest.

How did you choose your field of study? Ans: I was interested more in Physics compared to the other subjects in science. Therefore, I chose to study in Physics in my B.Sc and then continued my M.Sc in Physics. During this period, I carried out various preliminary and advanced Physics courses. After that, I joined Ph.D to study one of the fields in Physics which is condensed matter Physics since it is ubiquitous in daily life as well as in industrial applications.

What are your biggest achievements, and what are your biggest failures? Ans: My biggest achievement, I believe, is my contribution in the field of polymer nanocomposites during my Ph.D research which has honored me with the medal for the best Ph.D thesis in experimental Physics. My biggest failure is that I am still away from my parents because of my academic career. I am trying to get an academic position in India and hoping to come back to my parents.

Did you ever doubt your abilities as a scientist? Why? How did you handle these situations/feelings? Ans: Yes, very often. Whenever I struggle in some experiment, I feel it. However, I trust that hard work can always find the way out and that is how I handled the situations.

What (or who) motivated you in difficult times? Ans: My elder brother and husband always gave support to me whenever I faced difficult times. They are also my guides in each and every step of my life.

In ten years, what do you hope to achieve in terms of academic life? Ans: I dream to become an independent researcher in India where I can perform my research work and guide students. I am trying for that and hopefully in ten years, I will contribute significantly in soft matter Physics.

Is there any scientific topic (outside of your field of research) that you think should have more scientific attention? Which one? Ans: In India, agricultural sciences will be of great impact. I believe that paying attention to this field will also be effective in the economy. In developed foreign countries, I have observed students’ great interest and their effort in this field. Similarly, we need to encourage the students and try to develop skills along this direction.

Is there any scientific topic (outside of your field of research) that you think should have more scientific attention? Which one?

Ans: In India, agricultural sciences will be of great impact. I believe that paying attention to this field will also be effective in the economy. In developed foreign countries, I have observed students’ great interest and their effort in this field. Similarly, we need to encourage the students and try to develop skills along this direction.

If you were completely free to choose a scientific topic to work on, which would it be? Ans: As I mentioned before, agricultural science would be interesting to me. I would love to invest time in it and apply my experience practically.

Do you come from an academic family? Ans: Yes. My father is a retired principal of a high school and my mother is a graduate.

How does your family regard your career choice? Ans: My family has always given me the freedom to choose my career. They were extremely supportive also financially when I had no source of income from my academic career.

How do you balance your work life and personal life? Ans: I try to invest the office hours in my work and to concentrate on my personal life during the remaining hours of the day. I believe both these parts of life are important and can run parallel. However, there are difficult times due to the unavoidable work load or personal issues. Currently I am raising a one-year-old baby and at the same time carrying out my research work as a postdoc. I could overcome these situations as my family is extremely supportive.

What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome? Did you ever have the impression that it would be easier/harder if you were male? Ans: I did not actually have to face any big obstacle in my life. Whenever I had to tackle a problem or travel far from home (for research / experiments), I could do it successfully from the beginning of my career and still continue, for which I am thankful to Allah. I never felt that this would have been easier if I were male.

In your opinion, which changes, if any, are needed in the scientific system to be more attractive to women in science and possible future scientists?

Ans: This has to start from the beginning at the level of school. At that level itself we have less female students which keeps reducing due to the demotivation we get from society. It has to change and women should get more attention and motivation to carry out their career. Then science will automatically receive women scientists. In addition, the scientific society has to motivate women in scientific research in real life, not only on papers.