Kalai Jayaseelan

What is your current profession/background?

I was a former Bioinformatician at the EMBL-EBI, an inter-governmental European Research Organisation. I was also a Trusted Advisor at the EMBL’s Ombud’s office, helping staff to help themselves during crisis and conflict. While at EMBL, I Co-founded Sukhaatma, an initiative to provide personalised Alternative Mind-Body Medicine Consultations. Currently, I am full-time on my effort where I regularly offer Emotional Intelligence, Personal effectiveness and Leadership training for Scientific, Academic and Health organisations and transformational coaching services for individuals.

What point in your life led you to pursue a career in STEMM?

Right from the School days, I was always interested in grasping the comprehensive view of the natural world or perhaps the whole Universe, using the explanations from science and philosophy. Computers fascinated me too.

I chose to study Bioinformatics from Vellore Institute of Technology University (India), because the course offered the right mix of both Computer technology and Biology. It was a turning point in my life because while at college, I secured a graduate internship at EMBL-EBI, Cambridge and subsequently a full-time position as Bioinformatician, which kick-started my career in STEMM.

What is one of your biggest aspirations?

To lead as many people as possible on this planet to cultivate Self-awareness, creating conditions for inner peace and wellbeing. It is simply because the quality of our awareness plays a critical role in how we relate to ourselves and how we relate to the world at large. When we pay close attention, we can know ourselves better, manage ourselves better, know others better and manage others better. These ways of relating will not only dramatically improve our capacity to be kind and compassionate but also the quality of our work, workplace and life at large.

What advice would you give to aspiring female scientists and engineers?

With the in-flux of information overload and constant digital distractions, we are handing over the reigns of our capacities for creative thinking and problem-solving. Our futures will be inextricably entwined with Artificial Intelligence, which is predicted to change work practises, as well as replacement of a number of current jobs.

To skilfully meet the conditions of now and the future and be successful in your chosen path, you must cultivate the capacity to be Self-aware, to be emotionally intelligent and to do deep creative thinking.

“Know what is it that you want. Choose one thing and one thing only and give all your attention to it.”

Dream big. Cultivate deep work capabilities. Learn how to work with your emotions effectively and cultivate resilience. IQ will help you get your foot into the door, but it will be your EQ which will determine your ability to thrive and grow. Ask yourself, how can I be of service to this world? You have got this!

What do you like to do in your free time?

Family is important to me. And, whenever free, I have quality time with my family. It is the place where I recharge, to be of service to the world. I also read, write, meditate, listen to music and do some yoga. Whenever possible, I also offer yoga, meditation and dance classes.

Ask me about…

The benefits of Emotional intelligence and doing deep work and how it relates to employee wellness. I regularly offer talks and full or half-day workshops on these topics and personal coaching.

Kalai Jayaseelan

Stephanie Höhn

I am currently a Research Associate in the Biological Physics and Mechanics Group at the Cambridge Maths Faculty. After obtaining a PhD in Biology at the University of Bielefeld (Germany) I took a step out of my field to study the physical parameters that influence biological processes like tissue development. I am combining experiments and mathematical modelling to explore how tissues like our retina obtain their correct three-dimensional shape. Understanding these processes from an engineering point of view will in the long run hopefully help to find remedies for associated birth defects. I came into STEMM via some detours. Before studying biology I worked as a legal clerk at justice courts. At the age of 25 I decided to leave the security of my permanent job, go back to school to achieve my A-Levels (Abitur) to enable me to study molecular cell biology. In all different environments outside and within academia I encountered gender-stereotypes and other challenges for women and other marginalised groups. I believe that everyone can contribute in their own way to challenge these obstacles and create a positive work and personal environment for us all. I am an active member of the Maths Equality and Diversity Committee and the local LGBT+ group. In my free time I am a dancer and a twitcher.

Iratxe Puebla

I work for the non-profit organization ASAPbio, where we promote a productive use of preprints in the life sciences. I very much enjoy working with members of the community to try and change life sciences communication for the better, by making it faster, more transparent and more inclusive. Before ASAPbio I worked as an editor, most recently at the open access publisher PLOS, where I oversaw the day-to-day editorial operations of the journal PLOS ONE and I was involved in the editorial and review process for research manuscripts. I am also involved with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), an organization which promotes best practice and education around publication ethics and develops resources for journal editors and publishers.

Isabel Tingay

I hold a PhD in Chemistry and currently work at an International Chemicals company, developing after-treatment solutions for the automotive industry. I apply my knowledge and skills to the creation of next generation catalysts. I started in research and followed this with a move to development. This involves working with customers to understand their requirements, turning these into development projects.

Rebecca Woodrow

I am currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge in Clinical Neurosciences. My research looks at different types of brain imaging to better understand the consequences of traumatic brain injury- from concussion to coma. My background has been in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Medical Imaging, and I am now moving towards data science and machine learning approaches to healthcare and precision medicine.

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