Every Wednesday, our ‘Away from home’ blog series features one Indian postdoc working in a foreign lab recounting his/her experience of working there, the triumphs and challenges, the cultural differences, what they miss about India, as well as some top tips for postdocs headed abroad. You can join in the online conversation using the #postdochat hashtag.
In today’s blog, we hear from Shankar Das, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA. Shankar narrates the culture shock he dealt with after he landed in the US from Bose Institute in Kolkata, India. Despite the initial glitch, he suggests that every researcher must get international exposure and come back with some essential take-homes.
Shankar Das in his lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston.
Discovery is science
The very excitement of discovery geared me towards science. I was very inquisitive since childhood and always wanted to know more. This hunger was the primary reason I became interested in science. I am also indebted to my parents for giving me access to popular science books during my school days.
Genetics of yeast
I studied at the Bose Institute in Kolkata, India where I got introduced to yeast genetics and characterised some interesting novel features of a multifaceted protein. I made up my mind to work in a related area of research. I did apply to a couple of places but did not hear from most. Finally I got two offers around the same time and I joined a DNA replication lab that I had committed to earlier.
Enigma of replication timing
As a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, I got interested in the study of replication timing in yeast. Replication is a process in which the genome gets duplicated and this has to be completed in a defined period of time even though replication initiation is pretty heterogenous across genome creating random gaps. Currently I am investigating the factor(s) responsible for deciding origin efficiency in yeast.
Freedom, funds, variety, surplus
The best thing in my lab is the freedom to work and the funding situation. Things get done very efficiently and there are less bureaucratic hassles that affect research. The administration helps in smooth functioning of research activities. Most things get done online. People are very honest, law abiding and technology friendly. It’s amazing to see the technology and heavy machines they use and how fast and efficiently they get projects done. The variety and surplus of everything at the supermarkets amazes me. Also, they know how to enjoy their weekends to the fullest
The culture shock
Coming from erstwhile Calcutta, it was a culture shock for me. I took time to adjust to western culture. Everything seemed quite different and to me the “opposite of what we had learned” – left hand driving, Fahrenheit and Pounds instead of Celsius and Kilogram, electrical switches that would turn on when pushed up (which is “turn off” in India).
It was definitely an emotional ordeal leaving my country and family behind. However, I was lucky in getting friends who were ready to help me. They became like relatives.
Get international exposure, by all means
After completion of doctoral studies, research fellows should strive to get some experience abroad. Later they can decide if they want to continue or go back to India. You have five years on a J1 exchange visitor visa to decide, after which you have to get converted to H1B if you plan to stay further. If you have 212e (2 years home country residency requirement) in your US visa you have to get the waiver to convert your J1 to H1B. You will have ample time to decide if you want to stay here or move back to India. All depends upon your priorities and opportunities.
Street food, where art thou?
Being a foodie, I miss road side eateries. I miss our campus tea stall where we used to gather in the open to share our views. I miss the relaxed environment back home. The healthcare and insurance system here is not the best. Life is very hectic and winters harsh. Parking is a big problem since everyone owns vehicles. Childcare is very expensive.
I miss my friends and relatives back in India, the active social life, the cultural activities, festivals and hospitality.
Coming back home
I would definitely come back home soon. The whole idea of the exchange visitor programme is to gain skills and bring them back home. Plus I have all my relatives back in India.
I want to develop my own research programme, have my own lab and my students. I am now trying to get as much experience as possible, learn new technology that I can bring back with me.
However, I wish we had a better work culture and stricter law and order enforcement back home. Government funding for scientific research should be increased. The administration should sync with regular functioning of research activities. People should complete their jobs online with less use of paper. We have to develop and use technology extensively and develop industry that will create proper infrastructure. I’m sure things are improving. I am also definite I can bring back the work culture and research experience back to my country.
Shankar Das is our second postdoc from Boston signifying the thriving community of Indian postdocs in the East coast of the US. Stay tuned as we add more Indian postdocs from around the world every Wednesday to the interactive Away from home map pictured below. Please feel free to suggest names of postdocs from unusual places we haven’t covered yet.
