02-Jul-2025
If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be working on cookies, nanoparticles, and designing by illustrator—all at once—I might have laughed it off.
But here I am, at Amity University Punjab, Mohali, doing just that, and loving every bit of it! Since joining here, I’ve experienced a kind of academic freedom and support that has not only reignited my passion for research, but also helped me discover new sides of myself—beyond the lab coat and beakers. Whether it's green chemistry, food innovation, or visual design for public engagement, each project I’ve taken up here has felt like a new adventure.
From Chemistry Lab to Cookie Trials
One of the most enjoyable collaborations I’ve recently undertaken was with a food scientist colleague at AUP. Together, we explored the valorization of brewers’ spent grain—a byproduct of the brewing industry often treated as waste—by incorporating it into nutritionally enhanced cookies. Yes, chemistry met culinary innovation in the best possible way!
This wasn’t just textbook research—it was fun, hands-on, and full of learning curves. The excitement of mixing science with sensory trials, tweaking texture, understanding flavor profiles, and talking “dough rheology” was refreshingly different from my usual lab routine. Who knows— a startup might just be brewing. We’re optimistic.
Viksit Bharat and the Ganga Project: A New Kind of Challenge
On a very different but equally fulfilling front, my role as a Senior Viksit Bharat Fellow 2025 (supported by BlueKraft Digital Foundation) has taken me into uncharted territory: designing knowledge models for the rejuvenation of River Ganga.
This project is a fascinating mix of science deeply interdisciplinary, blending environmental science, design thinking, policy engagement, and public storytelling. Even though I entered this space without a background in design, I've grown to enjoy the process. While I initially felt like a fish out of water (pun intended), I now find myself guiding a student team, brainstorming visual metaphors, and learning the art of storytelling through data. Every challenge pushes me out of my comfort zone—and into new possibilities.
Publishing, Mentoring, and Growing
With access to state-of-the-art facilities at Amity’s Central Instrumentation Lab (CIL)—including FTIR, HPLC, GC, XRD, TGA, solid and liquid UV, zeta potential analyzer, particle size analyzer and more—I've been able to publish four research papers in reputed international journals this year alone.
But what brings me the most joy is watching our M.Sc. Chemistry students thrive. They aren't just learning formulas—they’re participating in events, designing posters, assisting in experiments, and slowly transforming into young researchers. In fact, our entire M.Sc. class came together to submit a review article for publication recently—a proud moment for all of us as mentors.
Reinventing Myself, One Project at a Time
Each day here feels different—new people, new ideas, new experiments. I’ve come to realize that my potential isn’t limited to pure chemistry. Working at Amity has allowed me to break out of the silos of traditional chemistry and explore how science touches life in unexpected ways—whether it's:
- Turning waste into wealth
- Designing for environmental impact
- Creating nutritious food from byproducts
- Exploring green nanomaterials and sustainable energy
- Or simply mentoring students as they take on complex real-world problems
Each day feels like a fresh start. And maybe that’s the Piscean in me—thriving in change, flowing with innovation, and diving deep into whatever catches my curiosity next. I like change, I like ideas, and I love the freedom to explore.
The Road Ahead
This journey has taught me that impactful science isn’t just about lab work—it's about application, creativity, and cross-disciplinary curiosity. And I’m just getting started.
There’s so much more we can build—together. If you're working at the intersection of food, sustainability, design, or environmental transformation—let's connect. Collaborations like these are where the magic happens.
Here’s to more cookies, more curiosity, and more change.
Apply Now : https://amity.edu/mohali/