“Every Path into Research Is Unique”
Pooja Suresh Gowda, research assistant at HSWT, talks in an interview about her projects and her experiences as a woman in science.
Today marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the United Nations. The day honours the role that women and girls play in research. Pooja is one of them. Originally from India, she conducts research at the Applied Science Centre (ASC) for Smart Indoor Farming.
What personally motivates you to conduct research in the field of Smart Indoor Farming?
Pooja: This field uniquely combines technology, data‑driven systems, automation, food technology, and plant sciences. Working in such an interdisciplinary area never gets boring. Knowing that this research can contribute to future food security and climate‑friendly agriculture is a strong personal motivation for me.
Which projects are you currently working on?
In the PWM project, we focus on cultivating medicinal plants in indoor vertical farming systems and improving their growth and development through the use of pulse‑width‑modulated LED lighting — while also reducing energy consumption. In the VertifarmMeetsBiotech project, our goal is to use surplus energy and excess light in an indoor vertical farm to cultivate beneficial algae such as Chlorella.
What experiences have you had as a woman in research?
I have been fortunate to work with mentors and colleagues who value diversity — that has been very motivating for me. At the beginning of my career, cultural differences sometimes led to misunderstandings. Through open communication and a positive mindset, I learned to turn challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth.
What advice would you give to young women interested in research?
I would encourage them to stay curious, trust their abilities, and not be discouraged by setbacks. Seeking out mentors, building supportive networks, and exploring different fields early on can make a big difference. Every path into research is unique.
Gender & equality
The Women's & Equal Opportunities Officers at HSWT support students and staff in personal and strategic matters relating to their studies and academic career. Important contacts, events and interesting facts at a glance can be found on this HSWT website.
