‘Hone your skills, seek mentors, build strong network,’ suggest winners of Study UK Alumni awards

Puja Changoiwala completed her MA in Journalism from the London-based University of Westminster in 2010. She is a published writer who talks about marginalised sections of Indian society through her writing and reporting. Abhinav Sinha completed his MRes and PhD from the University of Glasgow. Currently, he is a senior scientist at the National Institute of Malaria Research.

Some excerpts from the interview…

How was your experience studying in the UK?

Abhinav: My experiences of studying at the University of Glasgow were phenomenal and pivotal, as they not only shaped my career into an entirely different dimension but also helped me excel in that field. The dual exposure during my masters and doctoral studies must be credited for whatever I have achieved in the field of malaria research. The quality education I received in the MRes course laid the foundation in just one year and brought me at par with the global standards in the field. The way the course was designed helped me build my conceptual foundation and then exposed me to obtain world-class practical experience, all in just one year. This not only saved my time, as a comparable course elsewhere would have taken at least three years, but it also prepared me to compete for entry into the highly competitive Wellcome Trust studentships for PhD. Eventually, it allowed me to secure admission into a PhD programme at the same university. The doctoral training I received at the University broadened my horizons and exposed me to the world-class cutting edge research in molecular basis of diseases, which led to the discoveries I have made. Apart from this, the weather in Glasgow is something that cannot be easily forgotten.

Puja: My MA equipped me with innumerable skills that continue to guide me today. At a young age, it exposed me to diverse stories, perspectives and experiences. For instance, I wrote an article about the Tibetan diaspora in London for a school assignment, read books like Bruce Garrison’s ‘Professional Feature Writing’, and heard journalists like Mehdi Hasan. Specific modules, too, made for crucial training. For instance, the ‘Online Journalism’ module taught me how to write for the web in 2009, a time when online journalism was only finding its feet. It prepared me to be a part of the rapidly globalising media landscape, a revolution led by the internet. This skill holds relevance to my work even today.

How did you decide that you wanted to study abroad?

Abhinav: With a deep interest in pursuing a philosophical degree, obtaining a PhD from the United Kingdom has always been my foremost aspiration. My motivation stemmed in part from the inspiring experiences of my elder brother and sister-in-law, both of whom had earned their doctoral degrees from the University of Reading in the UK.

My desire to pursue this path led me to embark on a search for a suitable supervisor in the UK, eventually culminating in my discovery of Dr Lisa Ranford-Cartwright at the University of Glasgow. She strongly encouraged me to apply for the Chevening Scholarship, which was a highly competitive endeavour. However, my determination and efforts paid off, and it marked the beginning of my remarkable five-year journey in the UK.

Puja: There were several reasons why I chose to study journalism abroad at the University of Westminster. First was the university’s stellar reputation in the field of journalism, the course structure, and the expertise of the faculty, which included teachers like Patrick Stoddart, a former editor with The Sunday Times. Then there was the appeal of the diverse learning environment and the exposure to different cultures and viewpoints. I was also excited about the prospect of studying in London, a global journalism hub with an ever-evolving media landscape.

How has your experience been (in terms of employability) since you graduated?

Abhinav: The MRes programme played a pivotal role in shaping my academic foundation and preparing me for the doctoral degree which I did under Prof Andy Waters at the same University and was funded by the Wellcome Trust. The doctoral training further sharpened my skills and the work culminated into a significant discovery of a gene in Plasmodium (the malaria causing parasite) that is responsible for switching the sexual reproduction in the parasites. The discovery, published in Nature (the highest impact factor among the journals publishing basic science) with me as the first author, is a milestone in itself. This discovery filled a crucial gap and opened a new vista in understanding the biology of malaria transmission.

The impact of this research conducted at the University of Glasgow reverberated further, leading to my appointment as a senior scientist at the National Institute of Malaria Research, a premier and apex national institute carrying malaria research under the Indian Council of Medical Research. Because of the significant experience gained in the UK and my discovery, I have been able to explore new areas in malaria research and have published more than 30 papers in six years and led a nationwide project on estimating malaria burden in India. All these experiences in the UK and India have been instrumental in getting a prestigious grant to organise an international course on Malaria in November 2022. In addition, I have been awarded 10 international grants including those from The Company of Biologists Ltd, UK; Government of India; European Molecular Biology Organization, Wellcome Trust India Alliance; Institut Pasteur; Malaria Eradication Scientific Alliance; Keystone Symposia; Scottish Overseas Research Students Awards; Glasgow Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship.

Puja: The skills I gained at the University of Westminster helped me immensely in finding a job after graduation. Due to that, immediately after graduating in 2010, I found work as a correspondent and editorial writer with Asian Affairs, a London-based magazine. Here, I penned editorials on political developments across South Asia, while also reporting on parliamentary debates around various issues in London. After a year with the magazine, I returned to Mumbai in September 2011.

What is your advice to students who are now graduating from foreign universities and want to take up research in the future?

Abhinav: I have made short videos and photographs with my masters and doctoral students in India, showcasing the culture of science I encountered during my six-year tenure in the UK. In fact, I have managed to inspire a couple of students in my current institution to apply for the master’s programme at the University through the Chevening Scholarship, and one student’s application is currently under review. When I was setting up my laboratory in India, I used these videos to demonstrate the setup process to my colleagues and students.

For the students who want to pursue research, the quality of education in the UK is certainly among the best in the whole world. Each university in the UK has a few niche areas of excellence that can be leveraged when selecting a university in the UK. Funding should not be a problem for a deserving candidate. However, it is important to be meticulous and focused when applying for scholarships and grants. I found the supervisors in the UK extremely considerate. They readily provide guidance and recommend various funding sources for students to explore and apply.

Puja: For students graduating from foreign universities and aspiring to pursue research, I recommend following your passion for your research topic, honing your skills, seeking mentors, and building a strong network. Focus on publishing and presenting your work, stay resilient, consider further education if needed, and maintain a balance between work and personal life for a rewarding research career.