Thread by @ShwetaGanapati

Thanks @IWS_Network for inviting me to share my story as an #international #immigrant #WomanInSTEM! Throughout this week I will share my journey so far, challenges & triumphs; inviting you to share yours and connect with me if it resonates with you! #VoicesIWS

https://twitter.com/IWS_Network/status/1394398657848434694

I grew up in #Delhi #India, a place I still think of as home & where my family still resides. Living in the capital, my parents, sister and I spoke to each other in #tamil, #hindi, & #english. My mom was my first #chemistry teacher. #WomenInSTEM #VoicesIWS @IWS_Network

As a teenager I fell in love with the vibrant colors & creative possibilities of the chemistry lab. Nandini ma'am & other excellent teachers, most of whom were #WomenInSTEM at The Mother's International School were my role models. @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS #WomenInSTEM

Next stop, historic @StStephensClg for B.Sc. & M.Sc. in #OrganicChemistry. My daily 4 h commute to attend classes was tough. Looking back, I would do it all again for the learning & incredible peers! @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS 📷DU Beat

As I fondly recall my life in #Delhi, I cannot fail to highlight the devastation caused by #COVID19 recently. Please consider supporting relief efforts and reaching out to your 🇮🇳 friends. @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS #WomenInSTEM
📌globalnews.ca/news/7812601/i…
📌indiacovidsos.org/fundraising

Back on Day 2 of my #VoicesIWS. Today I’ll tell you about my move to USA 🇺🇸 for graduate studies at @ChemBiochemUMD @UofMaryland. @IWS_Network #WomenInSTEM

After applying to 10 PhD programs & receiving 9 rejections, my dream of an #international education was nearly shattered. When I was finally accepted into UMD, I wondered if I really belonged or would I only struggle there. #ImposterSyndrome @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS #WomenInSTEM

With a lot of family support, took a leap of faith, packed my bags to land in Washington DC, my first ever trip to North America. No family here but found so many supportive #international #immigrant #WomenInSTEM, my friends & guides in a new country. @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS

To my delight, the language of #science #chemistry is the same in 🇮🇳 and 🇺🇸; & turns out I am fluent! Welcomed in @LyleIsaacsUMD lab, synthesized #cucurbiturils & showed they could reverse #methamphetamine in rats! @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS #WomenInSTEM
…mistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.100…

Five years later, I am the 1st #PhD in my family! Left with a deep appreciation for the importance of #scientific #research & how #fundamentalresearch leads to technological breakthroughs. @IWS_Network #VoicesIWS #WomenInSTEM

On this final day of my #VoicesIWS I will share my post-#PhD experiences so far; including a second move, this time to Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦! @IWS_Network #WomenInSTEM

Post PhD, started out as #research #scientist @ #biotech #startup, making self-assembled #vaccine platform w/ Prof. Phil DeShong in 🇺🇸. After 2 years, decided to explore #SciPol and the 🌎of #science outside the lab. @IWS_Network #WomenInSTEM #VoicesIWS mdpi.com/1999-4923/12/9…

First brush with #CdnSci #SciPol through #CSPC @sciencepolicy! Served as program manager for a year, worked with the amazing volunteers, & leaned SO much from @MehrdadHariri. Encouraged by @Dr_UzmaUrooj applied for #CSPF @MitacsCanada. @IWS_Network #WomenInSTEM #VoicesIWS

Joined @NSERC_CRSNG as @MitacsCanada #CSPF in policy and international relations! Virtual onboarding, learning the ropes made easy by supportive supervisors Kevin Fitzgibbons and Noel Burns; 📢 to @ShawnMcGuirk for advice and help from Day 0! @IWS_Network #WomenInSTEM #VoicesIWS

Outside work, I volunteer with @sciencepolicy & am learning about #ScienceDiplomacy from @margagual at @IAI_news with #SciPol fellows from #STeP, @aaas, @MitacsCanada. End of story for now, reach out to continue the conversation! Thank you @IWS_Network! #WomenInSTEM #VoicesIWS