As a teenager in India, Anushree became fascinated with space exploration but never imagined it was a career within her reach. On International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to share Anushree’s inspiring story.<\/p>\n
Now a Postdoctoral Fellow helping NASA investigate whether there\u2019s ever been life on Mars, Anushree reflects on her incredible journey and why it\u2019s important to \u201cnever stop dreaming\u201d when it comes to your career goals.<\/p>\n
In 2003, like many across the globe, Anushree was captivated by the Columbia shuttle\u2019s space mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t really aware of space travel before I tuned into that mission, so my mind was blown by the fact that astronauts could conduct scientific experiments in space,\u201d Anushree explains. \u201cAdded to the fact that one of the crew members, Kalpana Chawla, was the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space, and I was absolutely gripped.\u201d<\/p>\n
The crew spent 16 days in space before the mission ended in disaster and Columbia broke apart during re-entry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a terrible tragedy, but the legacy of the Columbia crew sparked something within me. It inspired a calling that grew stronger over time,\u201d Anushree remembers.<\/p>\n
Determined to find out where her new passion could take her, Anushree spent her spare time absorbing a whole new field of study.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone expected me to pursue a career in civil services, which is highly respected back home, but my fascination with space never left me,\u201d explains Anushree, who went on to complete a degree in History and Anthropology.<\/p>\n
After graduating from the University of Lucknow, Anushree recalled \u201cI started researching space sciences, especially Space Biology<\/em>, a term that was very popular back then. Later, I discovered Astrobiology, taking short courses and devouring a range of resources to build my scientific knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n But there was one final hurdle to overcome before she could start her space adventure.<\/p>\n \u201cFor my mum and dad, it was like sending their daughter to an unknown world. Nobody in my family had ever studied science so it was a really big deal,\u201d Anushree reflects. \u201cThey took some convincing, but my parents saw my ambition and believed in me enough to take a risk.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, she managed to secure a place on a Biotechnology Masters course in the UK that allowed to her to delve into astrobiology-focused research.<\/p>\n Focusing on Geomicrobiology, Anushree\u2019s research earned her a short-term placement at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Centre working on a Mars mission and several analogue expeditions. Fast-forward to the end of her Masters, Anushree heard about a PhD opportunity at The Open University that matched her area of research.<\/p>\n \u201cI had no idea if I would be selected when I applied. Finding out I was successful was a truly amazing moment. Fully funded PhDs are hard to come by, especially for an international candidate like me,\u201d Anushree said.<\/p>\nLiving the dream<\/strong><\/h2>\n