Behind the Test Tube: Q&A
Abhishek Roy—Graduate Student
Where is home/Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Kolkata, the capital of the state of West Bengal, India. Fun fact: Even though my state is called West Bengal, it is actually located geographically in the eastern side of the country.
Why did you choose chemistry as a career?
I had phenomenal chemistry teachers in high school (shout-out to Mrs. Elias and Mrs. Das), who were instrumental in developing my interest in the subject. I saw how they have inspired generations of students and have broken down complex topics to make it more accessible to everyone. I wanted to be a teacher and do the same for the next generation of students.
What is your proudest accomplishment while at the URochester?
It is really great to see your mentees (both in the lab and otherwise) go on to accomplish amazing things and start their independent scientific journeys. I am really proud of each one of them, and I wish them all the very best for the future!
What do you like to do when not in the department?
I really love to cook and try new restaurants/cuisine around the city. I also love singing and karaoke (sometimes while I am still in the department :P)
A Rochester must?
Driving out late at night to Ontario beach (in the summer/ autumn) with friends and enjoying the wind, waves and a hot cup of tea that you packed from home. There is also an ice cream shop nearby that stays open till 9 p.m. if you make it before then.
Feast/meal of the times? Details, please!
I am a bong (short for Bengali), and I am very loyal to my cuisine. My comforting and festive meals both involve aloo posto (potatoes cooked with poppy seeds) and different types of fish curries. It is hard to find the same thing here, but it is always my first meal when I land back home.
An inspiring book/movie /show? We are really curious as to why!
“Taare Zameen Par” is an old Bollywood movie and has really moved me every time I have watched it. It is a story that exemplifies the effect a good teacher can have on a child’s life.
A holiday that rocks? Care to tell us why?
A holiday that absolutely rocks is Durga Puja – a 10-day long festival where we worship the Hindu Goddess Durga and celebrate her victory over the mythical evil demon Mahishasur. It is widely recognized as the world’s largest public art festival, and the entire city is lit up and decorated. What I love the most about this festival is that it symbolizes togetherness and celebrates unity above all – beyond religion, gender, or ideologies.
Care to share about a special tradition in your family/town/country?
My family has this tradition where during Saraswati Puja (celebrating the goddess of wisdom), we have a hilsa party; this is when we cook different dishes with the same fish (hilsa) for different meals throughout the day.
Fun fact:
I was actually taught how to fly planes. My favorite memory remains a flight along the California coast with my mentor, Tsotne Javakhishvili, and my best friend, Sopo, debating Darwin’s theory while looking down at the Pacific.
Ask me about…
Food, mythology, and politics
The goal of this initiative is to highlight the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the Department of Chemistry and help our community develop stronger connections and synergies. You can think of these spotlights as the beginning of a conversation that we very much hope you will continue in the corridors of Hutch and beyond.
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