Dr. Dhingra
Was there someone along the way who nurtured your interest in science?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by biology and life sciences. Even as a kid I would look forward to my science lectures. I would like to give credit to one of my science teachers in middle school, Monica Kapoor, who was so good at explaining the concepts. I remember it was her classes that nurtured my interest and helped me decide that life sciences was something I wanted to be associated with forever.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
I would be a biology or life sciences teacher.
What do you always try to find time for outside of the lab?
I love dancing and have always tried to find time to learn and perform Indian classical dance (kathak). This has changed now that I have an eight-month-old baby girl. So, these days, if I am not working, I am with her.
What would you tell your younger self about the scientific life?
Lab experiments will fail most of the time, and that is normal. This does not mean you are failing or are incapable of being a good scientist. Do not stop believing in yourself and have fun along the way.
What person from history would you most like to meet and why?
I would love to meet Rosalind Franklin and shadow her in the lab. Not only for her great scientific contributions but also because I would love to learn about her thought process while doing research.
