#GraduateStories: More Than Just a Ph.D.

When people ask, “Why Ashoka?”, I say, “It’s the interdisciplinary spirit.” But the truth is, Ashoka has been so much more than that.
I arrived as a quiet research scholar, focused on earning a Ph.D. The resources, support, and people I came across here were more than enough. What I didn’t anticipate was how Ashoka would shape me far beyond the academics.
Ashoka didn’t just shape my academic journey, it constantly nudged me beyond the lab and outside my comfort zone. My GAship in an ecological sciences course had me identifying birds, following ant trails, and even catching spiders – things I never imagined myself doing! Conversations with peers from literature, history, chemistry, or CS helped me become not just a better scientist but also able to express complex ideas with clarity – something that has proved invaluable in both academic presentations and everyday life.
One of the most gratifying moments of my Ph.D. was when a CS-Biology TNBC group was formed. After years of explaining what triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is, seeing 20+ computer science students collaborate on tools based on my research was a true display of Ashoka’s interdisciplinary culture. It was possible only because of the openness and encouragement of my supervisors and the department’s collaborative ethos.
A professor once told me, “If you can explain your science to an undergraduate or layperson, you can explain it to anyone.” That advice helped me overcome a deep fear of public speaking and remains my go-to strategy even today.
Ashoka also helped me see the world through a more informed and nuanced lens. I met Nobel Laureates, leading scientists, policymakers, and thinkers. More importantly, I learned to think critically about issues beyond my research: global health, environmental crises, politics, and society. The freedom to form independent opinions and engage in difficult conversations is something I carry with me.
If I could relive one moment, it would be the day we received a state-of-the-art multichannel Leica microscope through the Mphasis grant. Hours spent in the cool, dimly lit microscopy room capturing vibrant tumour images, punctuated by warm chai breaks or chat at the Dhaba, remain among my fondest memories.
My advice to new Ashokans: step out of your comfort zone, talk to people wildly different from you, and don’t fear challenges. The beauty of Ashoka lies not just in what you study, but in who you become while you are here.

– Written by Pooja Vaid, Ph.D., Biology