One Life, Many Roles
ANULA
Hover over the plus signs to learn more about Anula's self-portrait!
This boho art reflects various aspects of who I am, highlighting the multiple roles I play as an individual.
At the base, the dark brown mountain represents the foundation of my being—rooted in my core moral values, self-awareness, and an acceptance of my own perfections and imperfections. This is where I confront my own ups and downs, acknowledging the balance between these two sides of life.
In my personal life, I wear many hats—daughter, sister, wife, mother—all while being an everyday individual, a good citizen, and a professional scientist. The blue and red colours signify the distinction between my professional and personal lives, and how I strive to balance them.
Climbing the creeper in the centre; this represents my personal growth. I see myself as a lifelong learner, both a researcher and a student at heart, constantly driven by curiosity. As a believer in humanity, I aspire to always stay grounded as a good human above all else. My role as a teacher, especially in the lab, allows me to guide others not just in their careers, but in maintaining their health and well-being. The leader in me strives to support and uplift those around me, hoping to grow into an even stronger leader as I continue my journey.
The purple shade represents my personal SWOT analysis—an ongoing process of self-reflection. The 1 and 0 are metaphors for the things I know or don’t know about myself, and what others know or don’t know about me. This is a reminder of the constant need for growth and improvement.
The yellow zone symbolizes my ultimate goal—to remain happy and self-contented, no matter where life takes me. This section also reflects my spiritual side, which keeps me grounded and connected to my inner self, fuelling my moral compass and sense of purpose.
Editorial Note
Biologist Lyn Margulis has a unique take on “Work-Life Balance”, which she believes is not easy to strike, especially for women, because doing good science requires passion, dedication, and time, just as being a good wife or mother requires dedication:
"Mine is the story of scientific enthusiasm and enlightenment coming to a foolish and energetic girl who turned down dates on Saturday night and who never watched television. The point is that I was willing to work. This is not a statement of advocacy, as no single answer or easy path suits every woman. Probably, I have contributed to science because I twice quit my job as a wife. I abandoned husbands but stayed with children. I've been poor, but I've never been sorry. Children, husband, and excellence in original science are probably not simultaneously possible. Yet women who feel the urge must be encouraged to pursue scientific careers. Such women need our help. If life does not pose its problems as melodramatically as a Hollywood movie, neither does it resolve them so cleanly or definitively."
About Anula
Dr. Anula Divyash Singh is a senior scientist at Sapien Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from IIT Hyderabad. Her research focuses on metabolic disorders, cancer, extracellular vesicles and kidney transplant. Alongside my scientific journey, she is a proud mother to a 5-year-old, balancing her roles as a researcher and a parent with dedication and joy. Her journey is driven by perseverance, a love for discovery, and the pursuit of meaningful contributions to science.
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From Biological Sciences to Critical Studies of Science: A Journey
ANJANA
"This collage aims to present the elements of my journey from being a trained biologist to pursuing research in critical science studies presently. By including details from laboratory work that are seldom overlooked, and juxtaposing them with elements of critical science studies that constitute my current motivation, I aim to give a glimpse into what compelled me to undergo this shift."
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