Dr. Zinia Mohanta, PhD

I attribute my success to the humble beginnings I came from and the experiences that shaped me throughout my life. I grew up in a very small village in Odisha, India, where education was always seen as the way forward. The struggles I experienced became a source of motivation and inspired me to become an example for others by leading through my actions rather than simply through words.

My mother was a high school graduate, and she instilled in me the importance of education, independence, and building something for myself. She taught me to make sure that I could always stand independently and never depend on my husband’s money. Those values have remained with me throughout my career.

I also believe in competing only with the person I was yesterday. My focus has always been on continuous growth, learning, and becoming better than I was before.

One of the most important pieces of advice I received came from my professor during my PhD: the product of a PhD is not your thesis or your research work—it is you. That perspective taught me that my development as a person and professional is ultimately more important than any single research project, publication, or credential. It is not simply the CV that defines me; rather, I am the person behind the CV.

Another important piece of advice came from my father regarding mental well-being. He taught me that you cannot keep pouring into a cup that is already full; you have to continually empty it so that there is room to fill it again. That lesson reinforced the importance of taking care of myself while continuing to grow and contribute.

I also believe strongly in building a community around yourself and maintaining positivity. A strong support system can make a meaningful difference in navigating both professional and personal challenges.

I always encourage young women to have an end goal and to be able to see themselves five years from now. It is important not to define your entire career only through small, immediate steps. Long-term goals can certainly be broken down into smaller milestones, but you should always know where those milestones are ultimately taking you.

I especially encourage women to stop belittling themselves by constantly thinking, “I’m not enough.” We need to learn to advocate for ourselves and negotiate for ourselves. If we do not speak up for ourselves, nobody else can consistently do that on our behalf. When we hold ourselves in high regard, we create the foundation for others to recognize our value as well.

My advice is to continue showing up, remain committed to your goals, build a strong community, and recognize that meaningful careers are built over time.

As an immigrant working in the United States, one of the biggest challenges I currently face is related to my visa status. If that factor were removed from the equation, there is very little else about the field that I would want to change.

Academia also presents its own challenges, particularly because salaries are often lower than in some other sectors. However, I believe that people working in academic research can find compensation in other forms through their passion for the work, the scientific vision they are pursuing, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful discoveries.

At the same time, the field offers significant opportunities for interdisciplinary research and the translation of scientific discoveries into meaningful biomedical applications. My own work sits at the intersection of MRI physics, chemistry, engineering, molecular biology, quantitative imaging, kidney research, and gene therapy, creating opportunities to bring different areas of expertise together to address complex biomedical problems.

Commitment is one of the most important values I live by. I believe that commitment is the first step toward accomplishing anything. Even if you can only give 20 or 30 percent at a particular moment, that effort still matters. What makes the difference is continuing to show up, giving something your time repeatedly, and doing the work consistently.

I believe that consistency is more important than trying to accomplish everything in short bursts. Life is a marathon, and you have to keep moving forward every day. You cannot approach everything as a sprint; meaningful progress requires persistence and continued effort.

I also value community, mentorship, positivity, personal growth, and maintaining balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. Outside of work, being a mother is especially meaningful to me. Spending time with my son keeps me grounded and reminds me of the importance of taking care of myself as well.