Vyomesh Vibhaw Jha
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry,
Patna University, Patna
Q1. Please share your educational and professional journey?
My father Shri Amrendra Kumar Jha is posted in Siwan District (Bihar) as Lecturer in Government College, so I have gained my elementary education from Mahaviri Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Siwan. I passed my matriculation examination in 2006 with 85.80% marks. I was quite interested in Science especially towards Life Science, so I decided to take Biology in +2. I passed my Intermediate examination in 2008 with 78.40% marks from the same School. The school is affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi. Then I moved to Patna, the capital of Bihar, for my higher education.
I was selected in the first merit list of the most prestigious college of Bihar, Patna Science College, Patna University. My father is also an alumnus of Patna University, so it was fascinating for me to get admission there. I choose Botany as my Honors’ subject along with Chemistry and Zoology as subsidiary subject at Bachelor Level. I completed my B.Sc. degree from the University in 2011 with 67% marks. During my Bachelor’s degree I got opportunity to interact with several eminent scholars of Bihar including Prof. M. P. Trivedi (presently, Head of the Postgraduate Department of Botany, Patna University, Patna). Later on, I came in close contact with him and his family and still they give me proper guidance and motivation, time to time. I also felt that, this is an era of modern science and in case of life Science; one can’t take a single step in research field without the help of Biochemistry. So, I applied in Department of Biochemistry to take admission in M.Sc. Course and get selected.
The period of Master’s degree was actually life changing for me. I got Prof. S. R. Padmadeo, a very learned person and well motivator, as our Head of the Department. He is so motivating person that I can call him: Lionidous (a character of Hollywood Movie 300). Later on, he became my Ph.D. supervisor and I was overwhelmed. He is presently serving as the Dean, Faculty of Science, Patna University and Principal, Patna Science College, Patna University. I also came in close contact with several research scholars there, in which I want to mention the name of Dr. Kumar Pranay (Presently, Scientist, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Patna) and Mr. Bipin Bihari Mishra. With the blessings and supports of these motivators, I, qualified for Junior Research fellowship (along with NET) in CSIR-UGC examinations for JRF and NET in my very first attempt in December 2012 securing 74th rank. Consecutively, in my second attempt I got 73rd rank in June 2013 and qualified GATE examinations in Life Science (AIR 665) in 2013. I got all the three above mentioned results before completion of my M.Sc. degree. I passed my M.Sc. degree examination in 2013 with 73.94% marks.
I got enrolled under the supervision of Prof. Shree Ram Padmadeo for my Ph. D. degree in November 2013 as UGC-JRF. The topic of my research was “Characterization of antibiotic Resistant bacterial Strains Isolated from Biomedical wastes of Patna. I successfully submitted my Ph.D. thesis in October 2019. I got 8 publications in different Journals during my Ph.D. work. I attended several International and National seminars and also presented 4 research papers.
I feel that along with our research works, it is our keen responsibility to communicate our knowledge to the society. So, I joined Shri Krishna Science Center (a unit of National Council of Science Museum, Ministry of Culture, Government of India) as Junior Mentor in May 2018. Later on, with the grace of almighty, I got selected as Assistant Professor (P.T.) at Department of Biochemistry, Patna University. I joined there on 11.06.2020 and still serving the same.
Q2. What did attract you towards teaching instead of any corporate job?
I am very less interested towards Corporate Jobs. Primarily my aim was to become a Civil Servant, but later on I realized that, with this means I can serve our society and our nation but in a limited way. Also I found that, maximum limit of a Civil Servant is Cabinet Secretary, but in the field of research, sky is the limit. I can serve to the whole Humanity through this way. I can motivate the young brains. I can shape them, so that they can serve the society through several ways. I can build the nation. It is also the best way to get connected with the Knowledge Society and to update myself regularly.
Q3. What kind of hurdles did you face in your journey?
During my Ph.D. work, I was quite depressed due to the pace of the work (several factors were responsible for it, e.g. Electricity, Water, Chemicals, Equipment, Staffs, personal health, Family issues etc.) and also due to insecurity of Future. I think that the government should work on the promotion of research activities and create a research environment. The state and central governments should also launch different programmes for the promotion of innovation and research at school as well as at college level. The government should also create more jobs in this field, so that a person involve in such activities may feel his future safe and can work with full dedication.
Q4. How do you motivate yourself at every morning?
I meditate for more than an hour daily since last 20 years without any gap day.
Q5. Which one thing do you want to change in yourself and why?
I want to add exercise in my daily routine, so that I can maintain my physical fitness.
Q6. Who is your source of motivation?
Swami Vivekanand and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Q7. Do you update yourself in terms of education?
Definitely, in a profession like teaching, it is necessary to update yourself regularly. In an era of Information Technology and easy availability of Internet (Google), teaching is very challenging work without updating yourself.
Q8. How do you help students to excel in their academics or study?
Beside engaging classes of theory as well as practical at Bachelor’s and Master’s level, I remain available to the students for their doubt. They ask me questions even on phone and message. I also promote discipline and encourage students to adopt good moral values and character.
Q9. Which one skill do you like most about yourself?
Communication with people while Delivering lecture and writing on different Scientific /Social /Political issues in Hindi.
Get more about Vyomesh Vibhaw Jha @
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Twitter : https://twitter.com/VVibhaw
