Vis-à-vis with a scientist

Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit

(Appeared in Surpreme Times)

“Vis-à-vis with a scientist”                           

   -Dr. SAMEER MANI DIXIT 

 (You may not very often sit tête-à-tête with research scientist like DR. SAMEER MANI DIXIT, working in the field of public health and biotechnology in Nepal. He has been in the research field for quite sometime. Currently, he is the country director for CMDN (Centre for Molecular Dynamics Nepal). He has diligently undertaken the research responsibilities for Intrepid Nepal Pvt. Ltd and has been closely associated with the Ministry of Health and Population and the WHO programs. I had a sneaky opportunity of interviewing him)   

EXCERPTS:   

1.   Please tell us something about  your childhood and struggle days (if any)

 My childhood was normal, being raised in a good background and amongst famous names. I had my schooling at St. Xaviers, Jawalakhel and joined the College at St. Xaviers Campus, where I was the pioneer batch. Undergraduation was in USA and postgraduation was in Australia. I have double masters and PhD degrees.  

2.    How did you get into this : challenges and significance of your work :

I got into Biotech as it was starting to come up as an important career choice for young people like me at the time. My father also suggested this field as he felt medicine would be merged and would act as a prerequisite   for this field in the future. I liked the idea. 

3.   What do you specialize in?

 I specialize in biomedical research in public health which in turn, means; I focus on research requiring laboratory work, particularly in the areas of micro/immuno/molecular biology. 

4.   Your opinion in the field of public health research in Nepal?

 I think new researchers with new ideas are coming out; however, there is a major constraint in terms of funds for research by Nepali researchers in Nepal. Biomedical research requires more funds than other areas and therefore government as well as donors appears to seemingly put money where more work can be carried out with the same amount of funds. 

5.   Recently, you’d talked about Bio-piracy and its rootedness in under-developed countries. Could you please elaborate?

 Bio-piracy is the term I am using (not sure if others do too) which pretty much describes the process of human biological samples leaving the country at the pretext of research without the country profiting from the process in terms of capacity building of laboratories and institutions in the country. Usually scientists from developing countries exploit the lack of funds in Nepal to "buy" samples by providing "help" in accessing the samples for transport to their labs where they can carry out a number of other research activities without knowledge of research subject, Nepali researcher or Nepal Government.

6.   What is GARP;  its work and importance :

 GARP is Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership. It is a Bill and Melinda Gates supported initiative led by US based Center for Disease Dynamics and Economic Policy (CDDEP). Currently this is taking place in 6 countries including Nepal as the latest country to be part of this. The program aims to mitigate the increasing antibiotic resistance evidence seen in developing countries due to antibiotic use, abuse and misuse. This will be done by evidence generation and policy document development to share with Government.    

7.   What say for those who want to take research as their mainstream?

It is a difficult road, but if you can hold on for a few years, there are plenty of exciting opportunities as well as earning money doing what you enjoy. You have to be smart, refrain from copying other people, and think of new ideas and concepts. If you have ideas, try to put them in action. Network and collaborate with like-minded people.  

8.   Your final words :

 Nepal needs young scientists to contribute to the country. There are hurdles, but there are plenty of examples of people doing wonderful things in the country. Don't wait for the ship to come to you. Go to the ship, no matter how hard it may feel at first. If you really want something bad enough, my experience shows that you can have it, provided you work hard for it. Motivation, Effort and Perseverance should be your weapons. Thanks. 

(  Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit can be reached at sameermdixit@gmail.com. This interview was taken b y Mr. Umesh Bajagain (sudip) on the basis of a conversation. He can be reached at gofork7@gmail.com )

An interview with Lujendra Ojha

An interview with Scientist Lujendra Ojha

Lujendra Ojha (L. Ojha) is a Nepalese planetary and space scientist, geophysicist and a student seeking his PhD honors in Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He did his graduation from the University of Arizona. Ojha, originally from Mhepi, Kathmandu, moved out to the US at his early teenage along with his family. He is a well known figure now since the Critics, scientists and media all over the globe cited his name for his incredible work on the discovery of the possibility of Life on Mars. Here’s what he had to say on:

QUESTIONARRE :

 Excerpts:

·        Tell us about your schooling and the early childhood days you underwent in Nepal.

The summary of the story is that I was born and raised in Kathmandu. I was/am an avid fan of cricket and music. I used to play in a band in Nepal. I used to play sports a lot: cricket, soccer you name it. I was crazy about science and always used to ask philosophical questions about the reality of the universe. I was never religious and have completely denounced the concept of god now. 

·         You had a pretty good academic career. Your moving out to US to kick in good universities such as University of Arizona definitely shows your potency. What else did play the role? (I mean your family)

Nothing much to tell. It was always good morale and hard work that worked for me. Luck played a role too. And of course, good family and friends are always a plus.  

·         Researchers and students all over the world dream about NASA or any of its affiliations. How did you manage to get associated with them?

Actually, I worked hard for it. Nevertheless, working for NASA is not as hard as people imagine. Do the good work. Show your potential, that's it. There is no magical cookbook formula.

·         Kindly, please tell us what actually did you discover that you became international news overnight?

We had lots and lots of images of Martian surface from spacecraft that were not studied. A software (algorithm) was used to remove out any shadows so as to obtain a high definition image and then I found some finger like streaks on the surface consisting basically of salty water (brine). I think you will find the details everywhere if you search for "Recurring Slope Lineae". We found the best evidence that exists for evidence of present day brines (salty water) on Mars.  

·         Are you still working with Prof. Dr. Alfred Mc  Ewen (the chief investigator of the Mars surface images)?  After you discovered the presence of occasional brine in lower Martian latitudes, what sort of or to what extent of credit are you getting from him, JPL and other NASA affiliations whatsoever, regarding your incredible work?

No, I am not under Dr. McEwen at the moment. I got my Bachelors last year and am now a PhD student at Georgia Institute of Technology. Well, as far as credit goes, I am given the credit. No complaints whatsoever. More than anything, my work has opened many other doors at JPL and NASA for life exploration missions too. For example, I have started working for this mission: InSight (Interior exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport). This is a new mission to Mars (2016 launch date) that will try to uncover the nature of sub surface geophysics on Mars.  

·         An algorithm (mathematical software) was developed to solve the distortion of images of Mars sent on to the earth by spacecraft. Who developed the algorithm?

I did it. It was used to delete the image noises and shadows and also that to compare the images of different seasons in Mars. 

·         Do you have any idea about what the current figure of Nepalese students and employees that are working independently or directly in the field of geophysics and astrophysics for NASA projects is?

I have no idea. I am a lone fish in a big ocean.  

What do you plan to do after your PhD degree?

Keep working in Planetary Science. My motto has always been, "Dislodge a pebble that will once create an avalanche."  

·         Any plans of visiting Nepal? I heard you used to have a keen interest in the Himalayas of Nepal when you were here.

Someday soon. Maybe it will be a surprise.

·          Your final words for those students who want to pursue a research career.

Say no to authority. Say no to control, peer pressure, and anything else that dare stand on your way. Remember, "We must know. We will know." Ignorance is bliss, but only to the weak willed. Damn them. Carry on. “

( L. Ojha can be reached at luju@gatech.edu. The interview was taken on the basis of a conversation. If you do have queries, please feel free to mail the interviewer Mr. Umesh Bajagain(sudip) at gofork7@gmail.com )