My name is K. Srikala Ganapathy, and I am the Founding Editor of Science Shore, an online magazine based out of Chennai. I have a passion for education – academics, teaching, writing, and research.
I have completed a Ph.D in Botany, interdisciplinary Microbiology. I have made multiple paper presentations in various National and international seminars with great enthusiasm and won several prizes and awards. I have written various informative articles for The Hindu Newspaper, Education plus section. My short stories for children are published both in print and online. I am an experienced teacher. Presently, I am working as an Editor in the Texila International e-Journal of Public Health. I am also invited as a Resource person from various colleges to give talks to students. I also invest my time and energy in voluntary teaching to serious and sincere learners coming from humble backgrounds.
MY ACADEMIC JOURNEY:
Academics have always been my passion, especially life sciences, and I have a thirst for knowledge and innovation. I have always been inspired and uplifted by learning. With a university rank, I completed my undergrad in Microbiology with flying colors. My teachers, lecturers, and professors have sown seeds of love for science and learning in me, particularly within the field of microbiology. This motivated me to pursue a post-graduation in Microbiology.
I found great inspiration in reading about great scientists from different disciplines of life sciences and their contributions. As a result, I decided to pursue a Ph.D. after I got married. Research interests include exploring the roots of traditional knowledge (medicinal plants) and investigating and validating their potential bioactivity scientifically. I enjoyed the interdisciplinary approach to learning and understanding Microbiology, Botany, Chemistry, and Bioinformatics. Many ethnic cultures practice herbal medicine/therapy as a way of life. As a matter of fact, many modern medicines are also derived from plants. Validating phytochemical compounds scientifically and standardizing them is imperative. Investing in phytochemistry research, and understanding secondary metabolite pathways for drug development is worthwhile. I studied medicinal plants’ antibacterial activities in vitro, especially against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as part of my thesis. In addition to collecting literature data, sampling, experimentation, instrumentation, presenting research findings in various national and international seminars and conferences for the sheer joy of sharing and learning, interacting with subject experts and peer research scholars, winning presentation prizes and awards and presenting papers in peer-reviewed journals to defending Viva, I had an exciting and valuable learning experience. Additionally, I taught Biology passionately and conducted science workshops for children as part of my voluntary work to reach out to the public with science.
STORY OF MY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS:
I can confidently say my hard work, willpower, and a never give up attitude with God’s blessings have helped me to achieve.
Received General Proficiency certificate in the Post-graduation Study (1999 – 2000).
First Prize – Best Oral Presentation (2011) at The International Conference on the “Impact of Physical Sciences on Biology” organized by Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Queen Mary’s College, Chennai.
Second Prize– Best Oral Presentation (2014) at the National Conference on recent trends in the Bioprospecting of plants organized by the Department of Plant Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli.
Second Prize- Best Oral Presentation (2015) at the Regional Conference on recent advances in Nanobiotechnology organized by Stella Maris College, Chennai.
First Prize- Best Oral Presentation, with a cash award (Rs 15,000) (2016) at the National Seminar on Phytochemicals as therapeutics organized by the Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Chennai.
Award for best poster presentation at ICMPHD 2010, organized by Pachiappa’s College, Chennai, on the topic “Medicinal Plants and Herbal Drugs: Challenges and Opportunities in Cultivation, Sustainable Utilization, and Conservation” (ICMPHD 2010).
Second Prize at the International Conference on Biosciences – Trends in Molecular medicine organized by DG Vaishnav College, Chennai (2012).
First Prize at the International Conference on “The Impact of Nanotechnology on Health and Environment (ICINHE-2018)” Organized by the Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics and PG and Research Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Quaid–E -Milleth College for Women, Chennai (2018).
Second Prize in the e-poster competition on “Eco-friendly Environment and Sustainability” Organized by the Department of Biotechnology, Stella Maris College, Chennai (2021).
RESOURCE PERSON PROFILE:
It is always wonderful to interact with young minds. I love sharing the gift of knowledge and motivating them to be lifelong learners.
- Invited as a resource person by various colleges to give talks and guest lectures.
- One-day webinar organized by Queen Mary’s.
- College, Botany Department, Chennai, delivered a talk on the topic “e-publishing”.
- One-day webinar organized by Jaya College of Arts and Science, Department of biotechnology, Chennai, on the topic “Role of Biotechnology in health care”.
- One-day webinar organized by Thiruthangal Nadar College, Department of Plant Biology and Plant biotechnology on the topic “Advancing Biotechnology as a promising field of Science”.
- Webinar on “Impact of Ozone layer depletion ” organized by New Prince Shri Bhavani Arts and Science College, Nature Club, and IQAC Chennai.
- Invited for eco club guest lecture on the topic ” Environmental Sustainability ” By Nirmala College for Women, Redhills, Coimbatore.
- Invited as Chief guest by St. Ann’s College for Women, Science Club and Department of Genetics, Hyderabad to deliver a talk on “Women scientists – An Inspiration”.
- Invited as Chief Guest for the inauguration of Queen Mary’s College Research Club( QMCRC), Chennai for the special lecture on “Interdisciplinary Research – Connecting Arts and Science”.
- Invited to give a Guest lecture on the topic ” How to realize your full potential ” by Nirmala College for Women, Coimbatore and Road Safety Patrol, A Unit of Tamilnadu Police Traffic Wardens, Coimbatore City.
- Invited to give a lecture on ” Research approval for Global reach ” organized by the Research and Development Cell and Institution Innovation Council of Bon Secours College for Women, Affiliated with Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli.
CONTRIBUTING ARTIST TO GOOGLE BOOK:
I love to draw and I firmly believe that art has the power to heal and uplift, based on my experience. I love to draw mandalas and I find the creative experiment both fun and meditative. My art book “ART EXHIBIT” was published in Google’s Book, arts & Culture: You can find it here: https://play.google.com/books/
List of my Educative articles: Published in The Hindu.
1.https://www.thehindu.com/
2.https://www.thehindu.com/
3.https://www.thehindu.com/
4.https://www.thehindu.com/
MY STORY: is featured in Humans of Madras ( Facebook page ), Hatke story. (https://hatkestory.com/dr-k-
SCIENCE SHORE JOURNEY:
Recently, I experienced a sudden decline in my hearing abilities as I neared my forties. I was shocked and scared. I’m capable of handling one-on-one and small-group conversations well, but phone conversations are still a challenge for me. Following this, Doctors and audiologists were consulted in a series of appointments. Upon testing, it was found that both of my ears suffered from profound sensory neural hearing loss. Three of the six frequencies were functioning and one was deteriorating. According to doctors, it may be caused by damage to inner ear hair cells. During this time, I began using hearing aids, but they weren’t much help when it came to clarity. When I attended conferences, I was unable to hear and follow the expert lectures. The opportunity to gain valuable knowledge was lost to me. Although it may seem trivial to others, it meant the world to me. Having gone through stages of denial and frustration, I finally accepted the issue and decided to deal with it. Additionally, I dealt with my parents’ illness, my teenage daughter’s moods, and other problems. I am unable to document some issues here. I have grown stronger as a result of overcoming all my challenges.
I was constantly driven to create something new. I was compelled to reflect on the blessings and positive aspects of my life as a result of the challenges I faced.
Thus, the idea for Science Shore, an e-magazine dedicated to sharing knowledge and art with others, emerged. The provision of useful content to learners and seekers of knowledge is important to me as a passionate educator. There are scientists, professors, doctors, writers, poets, teachers, and software professionals from all backgrounds and ages sharing their knowledge, perspectives, and thoughts on a wide range of topics and subjects. I am blessed with beautiful right people by the grace of God. It was possible for me to rediscover my passion and purpose in life. To find joy in creating and sharing. – This totally changed my life.
Science Shore e-mag is successful because of the collective strength of the team members, contributors, and readers. Young World, The Hindu, and others have featured Science Shore content.
The goal and vision of Science Shore are to offer readers quality meaningful educative and interesting content to readers and also provide opportunities for creative talented people to share their creations on this vibrant platform.
My motto in life that I believe and sincerely strive to follow :
Learning is a lifelong process, so let us be inspired to learn lifelong. It is time to rise above all limitations that only exist in the mind and body. In spirit, there are no limitations. We all have strength. We need to acknowledge this with conviction. Let us gift knowledge to our own selves and to the world. Right knowledge empowers us and helps us to deal with all problems in an intelligent, mature, and calm manner and discover our abilities to find solutions to problems. There lies –Our power! Utilizing the divinely endowed gift of intelligence.
Our life is short. Let us enjoy it to the fullest!
Signing off, with love. Srikala.
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