Interviews with Scientists: Alka Rao
Alka Rao is a PhD student in microbiology at the University of Groningen. Through her research, she is trying to understand the origin of life through lipid membranes. Alka is a member of the BaSyC consortium in the Netherlands, and this is where her research funding comes from.
Alka loves science communication, and it was our pleasure to speak to her about her current research, her PhD journey so far, the scientists she most admires, and more. We also touched on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on Alka’s lab work, which like so many other scientists around the world has been paused.
Thank you so much for speaking with us, Alka! Firstly, tell us a bit more about your PhD research...
I am a molecular microbiologist working on some fundamental research concerning the evolution of life. To be more specific, I study how archaeal cell membranes are made. My work is a part of a bigger goal which is to understand the origin of eukaryotes. One of the current hypotheses is that eukaryotes came from archaea. Since archaea are one of the ancient life forms on this planet, their cell membranes could tell us about environmental conditions which led to the ‘lipid divide’ and branching of life forms as we know them.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your research?
My research has slowed down considerably. I can’t do any lab work at the moment, and I am worried about graduating on time.
Did you always want to be a scientist when you were younger, and why?
Yes, I always loved biology classes and practical assignments in school. I was the curious kid who was always asking questions. I used to (and still do) read a lot of scientists’ biographies and it always fascinated me that there were people who tried to understand life through research. A scientist’s job was the most interesting one to me as a kid.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their science PhD?
Be ready to feel stupid all the time. And always ask questions, no matter how silly they feel. Your PhD is a learning process, and asking relevant questions is important.
What's the most important lesson you have learned in your PhD so far?
The most important lesson that I have learned so far is to document everything. Documenting failed experiments is the most important one, as this saved me a lot of time later. Another important lesson that I learned was to ask for help when I need it.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I have a good relationship with our collaborators which has developed over time. I am proud of it because it has made planning experiments much easier, and it saves me a lot of time. It also gives me an outlet for discussion of research methods outside my own lab.
What do you think is the biggest challenge currently facing life scientists and their work?
I think our biggest challenge is to make our work more accessible. This is applicable to all fields. Apart from this, I think our research environment is not conducive for publishing negative results. Again, this is a general problem with science. Think of all the time we would save with publishing negative results!
What does a typical day in the lab look like for you?
My day begins with a cup of coffee, looking at my lab agenda, answering and composing emails. Some days are more intensive compared to others, depending on experiments and scheduled meetings. On the lighter days, I try to plan my experiments, schedule meetings and read up more on literature in my field. I try to make time in my lab schedule for a lunch break regularly.
What does your typical day look like at the moment, while labs are closed?
At the moment my days are usually occupied by reading and writing. I have also signed up for courses from my graduate school and some language courses to help me with data analysis. My lab still has regular online meetings, so that also keeps me busy.
Outside of science, what do you enjoy doing most?
I have recently started writing for a scientific fact-checking website. At the university, I am a part of a council which organizes social activities, courses, workshops for PhD students and also represents them to the graduate school. In addition to this, I love doing makeup and exploring various artistic techniques. I also write about food culture in India. I enjoy all of this!
If you weren’t a scientist, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would be a barista or a makeup artist.
What is it about your field of research that gets you most excited?
The endless discussions about the origin of life and to what extent archaea can help in answering such questions. Everybody in the field has a differing opinion on this and it is always fascinating to hear them. Working with archaea in the lab, we do not have the most standardized protocols (unlike those working with bacteria). So, it is always fun to optimize them to make them work.
Which scientists working today do you most admire, and why?
Dr Angela Merkel is one of them. I am in awe of how scientifically she’s handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. I also admire Professor Ben Feringa because of his simplicity and diligence. He draws inspiration from nature and incorporates its designs in his synthetic molecules.
What’s your favorite science quote?
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” – Marie Curie
What do you think is the greatest scientific discovery of all time?
The discovery of caffeine and its effects on the human body.
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Thank you so much for speaking with us, Alka. We wish you all the best with your PhD!
You can follow and connect with Alka on Twitter at @alka1aug
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