SciComm is POSSIBLE Alongside a Full-Time PhD. A real story of balancing a PhD in genomics with parallel work in science outreach, filmmaking, digital communication and now beyond.

In academia, there’s an unspoken rule: pick one path and stick to it.
But what if you didn’t have to?

What if pursuing a full-time PhD and exploring a parallel interest, such as science communication, was not only possible but also powerful?

I started my PhD in January 2020 at CSIR-IGIB, right before the world turned upside down. Before that, I had worked briefly as a project assistant - first with Dr Sridhar Sivasubbu, where I spent my long days doing wet lab work, learning NGS protocols for rare genetic disorders, running gels, prepping libraries - the full bench-life kind of experience.

Soon after, I moved to a dry lab PhD with Dr. Vinod Scaria, shifting gears from pipettes to command line interface, from experiments to data. My focus was on understanding intellectual disability disorders through genome analysis. It was a learning curve, but I genuinely enjoyed it.

Most of my PhD days back then followed a rhythm: sifting through sequencing data, reading papers, trying to debug errors (we didn’t even have ChatGPT - so we posted on forums!), staring at variant call files, and discussing rare phenotypes with lab mates. It was everything I had imagined research life to be.

Honestly, I thought I was in it for the long haul. The plan was traditional: finish the PhD, do a postdoc, and run a lab someday. That was the lane I thought I had chosen. Until the pandemic hit. 

That pause opened a new door I didn’t even know existed.

How a Pandemic Project Kickstarted My Science Communication Journey

When COVID-19 hit, like for many others, everything came to a standstill. Sample collection stalled. Research priorities shifted. Our lab, too, pivoted towards COVID-19-related work.

As uncertainty loomed, an unexpected email landed in my inbox—it was a call for young participants (under 25!) for an international project called Planet Divoc-91. Fun fact: “Divoc 91” is “COVID-19” spelt backwards. It sounded quirky and creative, and honestly, with everything at a standstill thanks to the pandemic, I thought - why not? I had no clue what it would involve, but with research on pause and time on my hands, I figured it was worth a shot.

I applied and got selected as one of the 15 participants from India. Teams from the UK and South Africa also joined us in the project. The project’s goal was to amplify COVID awareness through comics and storytelling. While the original brief was to create comics, our India team explored multiple media platforms. I made a science film instead.

And that changed everything.

A Crash Course in SciComm

As part of Planet Divoc-91, I co-created a short film exploring how young people found hope during the pandemic. We collaborated with filmmaker Meghna Gupta and interacted with scientists such as Dr. Gagandeep Kang, Prof. K. Vijay Raghavan, and Dr. Soumitra Pathare. You can watch the film here.

Hear YA for Hope | Planet Divoc-91

I was suddenly, firstly, exposed and then immersed in the world of storytelling, filmmaking, animation, and audience engagement. I learned how to translate science into stories that felt personal, emotional, and impactful. I loved it.

It was my first exposure to communicating science outside the academic bubble, while still being in the thick of my PhD coursework and research. I’d allocate evenings and weekends to brainstorm, script, and meet virtually with teammates. Looking back, I realise this time crunch helped me become more intentional about my working hours and boundaries.

Building the Bridge: SciRio and Strategic SciComm

While doing my PhD, I joined SciRio part-time. I didn’t just learn how to run workshops or handle logistics - I learned how much planning, coordination, and clarity go into good science communication.

I saw how every small detail matters: from writing clear emails to designing smooth workflows, from setting up automations to crafting a strong brand voice online. I got to work on product launches and learned how SciComm overlaps with design, marketing, and even pricing decisions.

Thanks to Suchitha’s mentorship, I began to see communication not just as content, but as a system. And I also learned to balance it all—sometimes joining team calls while walking back from the lab. SciRio taught me how to stay organised, think strategically, and communicate with intent.

This wasn’t just SciComm—it was structured, strategic, and cross-functional. 

From Stories to Research Talks: Building a Multi-Format SciComm Portfolio

As my experience deepened, so did the diversity of my work. I created and ran an Instagram page called @not.a.stigma, using reels and carousels to talk about topics like mental health, genomics, and the invisible challenges in intellectual disability science.

I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in Talk To A Scientist (TTAS) to explain intellectual disability to school students, bringing my research to kids. Subsequently, I also led scicomm workshops, where I shared how my grandfather inspired my interest in science, and, to my surprise, students even recognised me from educational videos I had made.

Speaking of those videos, I created several for my lab’s open learning platform on topics like variant analysis and pharmacogenomics. I also authored blogs such as The Not-So-Rare Reality and participated in interviews for Beyond the lab bench, focusing on lesser-known paths in Indian science.

I was also  one of the winners of the 100 best stories of Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) 2022 episode. My SciComm portfolio quickly grew into a meaningful, multi-format body of work. I tried my hand at everything that was either thrown at me or I could catch the opportunity to do so. At the time, I hardly cared about the stipend—or the lack of one. My goal was simple: to explore. I was curious about science communication, and every project felt like a doorway into something new and meaningful. Looking back, I now realise how important it is—especially for anyone considering a path in SciComm—to consciously build a science communication CV alongside their academic or research CV.

That doesn’t always mean landing a paid opportunity right away. Sometimes it’s about saying yes to projects that offer exposure, experience, and learning—even if they don’t come with a paycheck. At that early stage, the value lay in the work itself: collaborating with creators, interacting with scientists, understanding audiences, and learning by doing. Also, a major win - Networking. People in the community know you, and you know them.

That said, I also want to acknowledge something important: I was incredibly lucky to have a supportive supervisor who allowed me the space and freedom to explore this interest. Not everyone has that kind of backing. And that’s okay.

We all navigate our paths differently, with the resources and support we have. Some journeys start with funded fellowships; others begin in the cracks between experiments or during weekends. What matters is showing up, experimenting, and slowly building your toolkit—one story, one skill, one project at a time.

However, during this time, my PhD also needed my full attention. There was a phase when I had to pause everything else and focus entirely on research. My supervisor was also transitioning to a new role outside the institute, which brought a lot of changes for our team. So, we focused on wrapping up our work and getting ready for the pre-thesis open seminar.

After giving my seminar, I took a step back to reflect—and that’s when I seriously started considering a more formal role in science communication, instead of taking the traditional postdoc route.

How My SciComm Work Opened Doors to New Career Opportunities

Thankfully, the science communication portfolio I had built over time became the stepping stone to my next career chapter.

I joined IndiaBioscience as Program Manager – Digital Initiatives, where I could finally bring together my scientific training, my communication skills, and my love for storytelling at scale. 

During my 1.8 years at IndiaBioscience, I didn’t just manage programs—I grew through them. I learned what it takes to make science accessible and engaging to diverse audiences. I saw how the smallest tweaks in language, layout, or format could shift a piece from being informative to impactful. Working on podcasts, I picked up the art of shaping narratives through sound, and webinars, I learned how to host conversations that resonated well beyond academic circles.

Each project taught me something new—how to listen better, plan smarter, and adapt faster. From conceptualising campaigns like Create-it! 2024 to building resources like the Biomolecule Collection, I discovered how creativity, collaboration, and structure go hand in hand. Mentoring interns and supporting early-career researchers gave me a deeper appreciation of community-building and how visibility can empower.

I also learned to juggle—literally and figuratively. Between deadlines and deliverables, I submitted my thesis, got married, and still managed to show up with intention and energy. Above all, I came to appreciate the behind-the-scenes work that goes into telling meaningful science stories—and how effective communication becomes an act of care.

A New Chapter: Commercial Meets Communication

Now, with a heart full of stories and a head full of strategy, I’ve entered the commercial life sciences sector as a Marketing Associate at Elucidata.

The shift from academia and nonprofits to a commercial tech company has been eye-opening, beginning with the more competitive pay. But beyond that, there’s a noticeable difference in structure—defined roles, established workflows, and enough people on the team to share responsibilities effectively. In research, the priority is: Is this scientifically rigorous? In marketing, the focus becomes: Is this scalable? Is this valuable to the business?

It’s a different pace: faster, sharper, and more outcome-driven. I'm learning how to merge deep scientific knowledge with storytelling that drives product adoption, market growth, and commercial clarity.

And honestly? I’m loving the challenge.

Final Word: Why This Still Matters

This is for anyone who thinks they can’t do two things at once. You can. And it might even make both things better.

There were times I felt stretched. Tired. Guilty, even—was I being less of a “serious” scientist?

But over time, I realised: I wasn’t choosing between research and communication. I was choosing both, and learning how one strengthened the other. It made me a better thinker, a better writer, and a better collaborator. A PhD teaches you far more than just science. It shapes your approach to problem-solving, instills a strong sense of ownership, and gives you that invaluable mindset of: “I’ll figure it out.” These skills quietly become your superpowers in any role you transition into—whether it’s science communication, strategy, or beyond.

While you're in the thick of it, you may not fully realise the value of what you're learning. But over time, the attention to detail, the ability to dissect dense research papers quickly, and the understanding of how science unfolds—from grant writing to data interpretation—start to stand out.

In my case, this PhD training seamlessly fed into every phase of my science communication journey. It gave me credibility, depth, and context. Whether it was designing content, speaking to researchers, or leading career-crafting workshops at IndiaBioscience, my research background enriched the conversations in a way that someone without that experience might have found harder to navigate.

While a PhD may not be mandatory for a career in SciComm, it’s certainly a powerful asset. It doesn’t just make you a better communicator - it helps you become a more empathetic bridge between science and society.

And that’s why I believe: you don’t have to pick one path. You can chart your own.

Science communication isn’t a distraction or even a side project; it’s also a chosen career path, just like any other career. One that adds value. One that builds community. One that helps your science reach the people who need it most.

So, the next time someone says, “You can’t do both,” smile. And show them your SciComm CV.

Because yes, you can have both.
And maybe even more.