Tanya Garain

My journey until now has been due to resilience, curiosity, and self-motivation. Growing up, I did not have every step of my future carefully planned, but I consistently believed in my ability to overcome challenges and pursue new opportunities. This mindset became one of my greatest sources of motivation. My passion for science developed from a deep curiosity about understanding the fundamentals of how things work, which eventually inspired me to pursue a career as a scientist. I have also been greatly influenced by my family; they have been my support system- especially my mother, who studied pharmacy but chose to pause her own aspirations in order to raise me. Her sacrifices have been a strong source of inspiration and have motivated me to work hard, make her proud, and continue on the path she had started to walk on. Overall, I would describe myself as someone driven by passion, perseverance, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning and discovery.

One of my undergraduate professors shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since. He told me that when women are passionate and ambitious, they are often encouraged to tone that down, but that I should never do so. Instead, he encouraged me to be unapologetically myself, to embrace my ambition, and to never hesitate to pursue the opportunities I dream of. That is advice I continue to live by every day.

My advice will be to trust your gut and believe in yourself. You will not know all the things from day one, so take your time and focus on the fundamentals more. I think the most important thing is to look for internship opportunities if your undergrad institution doesn't have any research labs. Do not hesitate to reach out to people and network. Understand your niche and be observant about not just your skills but also what kind of opportunity best aligns with your interest. There's so much information available on the internet—the biggest advantage we have as a generation, and we should be making full use of that.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the growing availability of “learn and earn” programs that allow individuals to gain hands-on experience while pursuing their degree. These programs help bridge the gap between education and real-world application, making career advancement more accessible and practical. They also create pathways for students and professionals to develop valuable skills, build industry connections, and earn income while continuing their education.

For me, it will be honesty, humility, and discipline. I value them a lot. I think these values just keep you grounded; they keep you focused on whatever goals and aims anybody has in their lives as well as give them the strength to see through the biggest challenges of their lives.