The Joys of Doing Science

The lab pondered about why they love doing science and shared their unique perspectives.

Pranav: The motivation to do science comes partly from personal factors, such as being focused on cancer research and eventually impacting patient prognosis. However, it is mainly because research can be explained with logic at all levels. You find a problem, you try to solve it, you have a problem solving the problem, you troubleshoot to solve it while working towards a broad goal. My curiousity is fueled by the excitement for discovering new things especially with the AXLi project where I had no idea (well some idea eventually) what's gonna happen and the discoveries makes it 10x more fun, and to keep getting to do it and working on it only adds to the excitement or with the NPP project where we are working on something unknown to anyone. We have to challenge everything we find ourselves providing a well-rounded logic about each discovery or claim. We are the first to say and find something about it; we need to be the best at it. The new discoveries are scrutinised at so many levels and are organised, exciting, and interesting, right? Obviously, it allows me to do something I love doing: experimenting

Adeeba: The word "cancer" itself sends shivers down my spine. I am honoured to be a part of the team dedicated to understand how it develops, progresses and most importantly, how it metastasises. While working in the lab, each experiment feels like a mini-step towards decoding the intricate biology of cancer that might bring us closer to develop new treatments and therapies that could improve cancer patients' health.The excitement, the thrill, and the sheer curiosity within me to discover new underlying mechanisms and pathways responsible for melanoma progression and metastasis are what fuel my passion to do better science day by day.

Ravi: What I love most about doing science is that quiet, rare moment when I realize I’m the only person in the world who knows a particular piece of information, even if it’s small. That feeling is surreal. It makes all the long hours, failed experiments, and dead ends worth it. I'm especially drawn to the unpredictable nature of cancer. How even a single cell can defy rules, adapt, and evolve for survival in ways we barely understand. It’s like watching evolution in real time, right under the microscope.Above all, I want my work to mean something. Even if it helps just a small number of people, even if it shifts understanding in the smallest way, that’s enough. That’s everything.

Palavi: My motivation comes from a deep curiosity to understand how things work. This makes my love for the entire scientific journey—designing, troubleshooting, and chasing answers.That curiosity connected to a bigger purpose: making a difference. The idea that my work could help people gives my daily efforts true meaning. Seeing new research inspires me to contribute my own work to the world of science.Being in this lab, with its exciting challenges and our team's dedication, amplifies everything. It excites me even more to come in each day and contribute to our shared goals.

Amisha: I always wondered how our bodies are built to run without us having to consciously control everything- our heart beats, our breathing, our digestion-all without a single thought. This is particularly fascinating because even though so much happens inside us that we have no awareness of, we still need to go through pages and pages of textbooks to understand the how and why behind it all. That hidden complexity of such intricate systems quietly keeping us alive made me realize that science isn’t just about learning facts, it’s about uncovering the invisible logic behind everyday life. And that led me to believe that I’m destined to explore those hidden systems, to make sense of what happens inside us when things go awry like in diseases, and to contribute, though indirectly, to the ongoing effort to make human lives a little easier through my discoveries. Most often, though, I find this journey more humbling than rewarding, but nothing beats the feeling when we finally get an experiment to work after months of trying, or when we generate a piece of data that brings us one step closer to our proposed hypothesis. It’s in these small moments that all the challenges feel worthwhile, and my love for science is renewed.

Poorva: I believe scientists are dreamers who let their dreams become their purpose, and I find this as much motivating as relatable. I hope to become a cancer researcher because the feeling that I might be the first, or maybe the only one, working on something unknown or unique, that has the potential to help many in the long run, makes me excited about pursuing science. To find explanations for unexpected outcomes and connect the dots with all the scientific evidences and hypotheses, seem like coherent puzzle pieces eventually being put together. Apart from this, I also love to be part of the scientific community because scientists - regardless of the place they are from and the field they pursue, are passionate to share their work, eager to learn from each other, and work selflessly for the betterment of the society - things that makes me want to be one!

Ragini: I  love  doing  Science  because  it  offers  a  journey  of  discovery,  unraveling  the  unknown  and broadening our understanding of the natural phenomena and the world around us. What excites me  most  is  the  opportunity  to  ask  meaningful  questions  and  explore  diverse  approaches  to understand  complex  biological  phenomena.  This  process  not  only  satisfies  my  curiosity  but also gives me a sense of purpose. My aspiration to pursue research is rooted in the belief that science has the power to create long-term, meaningful contributions to society. I am driven by the idea that my work, however small, could one day lead to knowledge or solutions that benefit others.  For  me,  research  is  not  just  a  profession  it  is  a  way  to  give  back  to  the  community through innovation, insight and contribution.

Shruthy: I went through a cancer scare at the age of 18 which ultimately steered me towards cancer research. Through this process, I have discovered that the idea of uncovering the truth gives me immense purpose and to think that I get paid to figure out what is true and pursue my curiosity brings me so much meaning and gratitude. A well designed experiment executed to perfection that uncovers that tiny piece of truth that nobody else in this world has uncovered yet - is the most priceless feeling. Drowning myself in new pieces of truth, lost for hours trying to piece them together like a puzzle, that impatience for time to fly so I can figure out another part of the puzzle - it is intoxicating. And if that truth ultimately contributes towards a better understanding and targeting of cancer to help patients, then could there be anything more fulfilling?