Jigeesha Mukhopadhyay
Lab affiliation: Hausner lab (Fungal Mitochondrial Genetics)
Degree(s) you hold: Integrated MSc. In Biotechnology
Degree being sought (M.Sc./Ph.D.): PhD
Hometown (City, Country—list multiple if you have them!): Kolkata, Minneapolis, Singapore
Your research project in one sentence: Hunting for interesting mobility elements and twintrons in fungal mitochondrial genomes
Degree(s) you hold: Integrated MSc. In Biotechnology
Degree being sought (M.Sc./Ph.D.): PhD
Hometown (City, Country—list multiple if you have them!): Kolkata, Minneapolis, Singapore
Your research project in one sentence: Hunting for interesting mobility elements and twintrons in fungal mitochondrial genomes
What do you do to relax when you have a lazy day at home?
Binge-watching YouTube cooking videos and trying to replicate them! Mangchi, Cookat Korea and Tasty Japan are my go-to channels :)
What are you most excited about for 2021? Goals?
Finishing off the wet lab work that lagged a bit due to the current situation and lockdown and hopefully working on a manuscript based on the results.
What techniques do you/will you most often use in your project?
Molecular techniques such as fungal DNA/RNA isolation and PCR besides bioinformatics and genome assembly programs.
What's one silly mistake you've made in the lab?
Forgetting to measure the pH of media :(
What are any current problems you are having with your research?
Since going to university to work on experiments has become a more flexible arrangement nowadays rather than a regular routine, it is often difficult to stay motivated and balance work from home and running experiments in lab.
What did you hope to get out of grad school in the beginning compared to now?
When I started my PhD, I did so because I felt it is a natural progression from my MSc and into a fully academia-oriented future. However, as I’m exploring more research techniques and attending seminars, I feel like there is a dichotomy in my future plans now, one going into industry-based work experience and a more academic-oriented career later on.
Binge-watching YouTube cooking videos and trying to replicate them! Mangchi, Cookat Korea and Tasty Japan are my go-to channels :)
What are you most excited about for 2021? Goals?
Finishing off the wet lab work that lagged a bit due to the current situation and lockdown and hopefully working on a manuscript based on the results.
What techniques do you/will you most often use in your project?
Molecular techniques such as fungal DNA/RNA isolation and PCR besides bioinformatics and genome assembly programs.
What's one silly mistake you've made in the lab?
Forgetting to measure the pH of media :(
What are any current problems you are having with your research?
Since going to university to work on experiments has become a more flexible arrangement nowadays rather than a regular routine, it is often difficult to stay motivated and balance work from home and running experiments in lab.
What did you hope to get out of grad school in the beginning compared to now?
When I started my PhD, I did so because I felt it is a natural progression from my MSc and into a fully academia-oriented future. However, as I’m exploring more research techniques and attending seminars, I feel like there is a dichotomy in my future plans now, one going into industry-based work experience and a more academic-oriented career later on.