Her Story
About Rewa
I am a chemist by education with expertise in material science, physical chemistry, and electrochemistry. I work in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis, where I develop biosensors, biomaterials, and formulations of biopesticides for applications in food, health, and agriculture. I use advanced techniques including spectroscopy, chromatography, imaging, bioassays, mouse models, and field studies to design and characterize my formulations and materials. I have achieved significant milestones in my career, including developing fungal-based biocapsules that protect yeast cells during winemaking, which has been patented, and creating unique bioformulations for health applications that deliver probiotic cells and enhance probiotic persistence and colonization, also patented. As a researcher, I have worked as a co-principal investigator and have secured more than $3.5 million in research grants to continue my work. Beyond my research, I am deeply committed to community engagement. I founded the Woodland Indian Association to promote cultural events and help children learn about Indian culture and tradition. I am also a professional dancer who teaches Indian dance to children and performs at various Indian cultural events. Additionally, I volunteer on university committees, serving as a product development judge for California state programs like Field Day, where high school students compete by developing products.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rewa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my hard work and my honesty about my duty. Good collaboration with people has been essential to my achievements. Problem solving and management skills are also most important in terms of gaining a good position and doing good work. I'm very independent in working on my own work, but I know the value of collaboration. Strong collaboration, trust building, and honesty are the keys that make those collaborations successful, and those collaborations give me opportunities to grow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from my supervisor during my PhD. He told me that I have a great ability to teach classes, to mentor students, and do research at the same time, so I should go for a faculty position in some university. This advice recognized my strengths in balancing multiple academic responsibilities and encouraged me to pursue a path where I could make the most impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I want women to be independent and to grow in their society and community. They should be independent, and they can achieve this by attaining positions through their hard work, honesty, and career growth. Women should be focused on how they can be independent. They can create their own focus and goals, but they should work hard and try to achieve those goals. That is what can make them truly independent and successful.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my field, because I am a researcher, grants and funding are always a challenge. Another challenge, though not just a challenge but more of a management issue, is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As a woman, I'm a mom and I'm a working woman too, because I want to be independent. My challenge is balancing my life where I can grow and my surroundings can grow as well. If I focus on the professional side of research, then funding and those kinds of things are the more significant challenges.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I always believe in honesty. I also believe in being a good listener and building strong collaborations. If you collaborate with people, your honesty, your listening skills, and staying up-to-date help in making strong collaborations. The collaborative approach makes us succeed in a certain way. I'm very independent in working on my own work, but I know the value of collaboration. Strong collaboration, trust building, and honesty are the keys to successful partnerships, and those collaborations give me opportunities to grow.
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