Profile
Keerthi M. Nair
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About Me:
Originally from India, I moved to Ireland in 2019. I’m a researcher by day, but also a lover for sweets, cakes and pasteries. I love baking (or as I like to call it, make my kitchen my lab, sometimes), going for walks, hikes and also love to dance. Ohh a fun fact about me: I’ve hitchhikers thumb (look it up if you haven’t heard it before- this is a small part of being a scientist- digging up stuffs out of curiosity) !!
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
Trying to detect the presence of microbes in wounds, soil, and food by developing electrochemical sensors.
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Read more
In the 21st century, one of our big challenges is understanding how tiny organisms like bacteria interact with humans and the environment. By learning more about how these microbes behave and change over time, we can create better strategies to prevent them from causing harm. Microbial communities are always changing due to many factors, including human activities. This project aims to use digital technology to gain insights into how bacteria act.
Researchers will focus on two main areas: how bacteria communicate in infected wounds and how they interact in soil. By using sensors and artificial intelligence, they hope to develop tools that can detect and understand these microbial behaviors. The knowledge gained from this project could help improve environmental protection and healthcare practices.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up, get ready, have breakfast, and leave for work around 9 am. I love having a good breakfast and it keeps me happy when my tummy is happy. At my work, I do a lot of experiments in the lab, attend meetings, teach and mentor students. When I get back I’d like to have a coffee (decaf, of course!) and I make my dinner. After dinner, I sit back and enjoy anything I watch. Sometimes I take time to learn new things, like new courses on online platforms, etc.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d like to spend the money on schools back in India to help them buy any experimental or teaching technologies they might need.
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Education:
Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland
Ph.D. in Material Sciences and NanotechnologyIndian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, India ( https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/)
Bachelor of Science & Master of Science dual degree in Chemistry
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Qualifications:
- US-Ireland Research & Development Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Best Oral Presentation Award(Awarded for delivering the top presentation among 52 participants from 22 countries)
- RSC Researcher Development and Travel Grant
- EU-Horizon 2020 Scholarship (Awarded to conduct Ph.D.)
- INSPIRE Fellowship (Selected among the top 1% of 0.5 million students)
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Work History:
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Forensic and Physical Chemistry Labs (2022-2024)
Science Ambassador (Current Chemistry Investigators)
Private Tutor (Chemistry and Maths for Junior and Leaving Cert Students)
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Current Job:
Postdoctoral Researcher
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Employer
Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Baker-scientist who makes her kitchen a lab too
What was your favourite subject at school?
Chemistry
What did you want to be after you left school?
Doctor
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, aren't we all at some point?
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I guess I'd be a psychologist or a forensic crime investigator
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Eagles (for the kids I'll take Taylor swift)
What's your favourite food?
Anything homemade
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Trip to the States
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish I could fly, so going home won't be that expensive. To participate in the BakeOff once. To inspire the next generation through me.
Tell us a joke.
What do you do with a sick chemist? If you can't helium, and you can't curium, then you might as well barium!
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