First person – Soyam Gupta

Soyam Gupta

Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus

My journey into the realm of research commenced during my undergraduate studies, starting with my bachelor's in biochemistry in Jamia Hamdard, India in 2019. Upon completion of my undergraduate studies, I secured admission to the MSc programme at IISER Thiruvananthapuram, India, a testament to my academic knowledge and skill among the top 20 students selected from a highly competitive pool at IISER-TVM. I had the privilege of joining the chronobiology lab, supervised by Dr Nisha N. Kannan. Driven by curiosity, I continued a comprehensive literature survey to understand the molecular mechanisms governing fly locomotion and its regulation. At IISER Thiruvananthapuram's annual science fest, I introduced an innovative behavioural paradigm that inspired further experimentation. This exploration ultimately led to the development of a novel approach to study brain, muscle, and motor behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster. This built my confidence in presentation skills, overcoming my fear of working independently, and motivated me to carry this forward in my primary master's project thesis.

Who or what inspired you to become a scientist?

My journey into science was significantly influenced by the work of 2021 Nobel laureates David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian, whose research on touch and temperature sensing inspired me to push my boundaries in pursuit of knowledge. However, it was my bachelor's chemistry professor whose guidance motivated me to pursue research, preparing me for competitive exams and admission to a prestigious research institute. After joining the chronobiology lab at IISER, led by Dr Nisha N. Kannan, I truly found my passion for research. Dr Kannan's remarkable leadership, openness to new ideas, and unwavering encouragement, even when experiments didn't go as planned, had a big impact on me. Her patience, kindness, and constant motivation have contributed a lot to my growth as a researcher. As I wish to continue on my PhD journey, I am eager to build upon the foundation Dr Kannan has helped me establish. I hope to gain recognition for my efforts and, one day, create a lab of my own where I can mentor others with the same support and encouragement that Dr Kannan has shown me. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr K. Vijaya Raghavan for his insightful guidance and suggestions on experimental design, which greatly informed and enhanced my work on this project.

How would you explain the main finding of your paper?

In this study, we explored whether fruit flies (Drosophila) interact with objects while they are suspended by their wings and given a lightweight foam ball. The flies showed a behaviour where they held and rolled the ball. We then investigated if there were any differences between male and female flies in this ball rolling behaviour. Using 3-day-old male and female flies, we measured how long they could roll and hold the ball continuously without dropping it over a 10-min period. Each time a fly dropped the ball, we gave it back and counted the number of times the ball was dropped in 10 min. Female flies held the ball for a longer time compared to males. Additionally, we noticed that 15-day-old flies, both male and female, rolled the ball for shorter durations and dropped it more frequently than the younger flies. These findings suggest that there are differences between males and females, as well as age-related changes, in this ball-rolling behaviour.

What are the potential implications of this finding for your field of research?

The implications of this finding for our field of research are significant. By investigating how the brain, nervous system, and motor functions coordinate to facilitate ball-rolling behaviour, we can gain valuable insights into the underlying neural circuits and brain functions that drive such behaviours. Additionally, several laboratories are focused on drug discovery using Drosophila models of Huntington's disease, aiming to identify treatments that can alleviate muscle-related symptoms. Our ball-rolling assay could serve as a useful tool for these researchers to assess the effectiveness of their interventions; they can easily evaluate whether the flies can hold the ball, providing a straightforward measure of motor function recovery.

Which part of this research project was the most rewarding?

The most rewarding part of this research project was undoubtedly the process of designing the experimental protocol and determining the key parameters. Establishing the criteria for ball holding durations and tracking the number of times the ball was dropped required deep understanding and thoughtful consideration. Another significant challenge was collecting data from aging flies, which tended to drop the ball frequently. This demanded considerable patience and an extra month of effort to standardise our data collection and accurately record their activity. Overcoming these obstacles not only deepened my understanding of the research but also made the journey incredibly exciting and fulfilling.

What do you enjoy most about being an early-career researcher?

I thoroughly enjoyed the satisfaction of discovering something novel and persuasive in the data, integrating this with knowledge from the literature, and proceeding to finalise a largely independent project. At a recent science fair on our campus at IISER TVM, I presented a new Drosophila locomotion assay that I designed to high school students. The students were amazed to see how I could manipulate the flies' locomotion. This endeavour not only provides a platform for skill enhancement but also holds the potential to gain recognition for my dedicated efforts. It is certainly a stepping stone toward becoming a research scientist and one day (if possible) to open my own lab.

What piece of advice would you give to the next generation of researchers?

My advice to the next generation of researchers is to work hard and trust the process. Research can be unpredictable, and things won't always go as planned, but don't let that discourage you. Keep moving forward without worrying too much about immediate results and failure is a natural part of discovery, and often, just one successful experiment can shape a great research story. I also recommend spending as much time reading as doing experiments. A solid understanding of the literature will guide you and save time. Also, be happy and indulge in extracurricular activities to keep your mental health in check. Lastly, trust your PI – they play a crucial role in your journey and their support can make all the difference. Stay curious, be patient, and success will follow.

What's next for you?

Next, I'll be starting my PhD journey, where I plan to keep my motivation up and continue pushing the boundaries of my research. My long-term goal is to become a neuroscientist and, just as my mentors have inspired me, I aspire to become a great mentor myself – someone who fosters curiosity, encourages creativity, and guides the next generation of researchers.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV

In several cultural events I've been actively engaged. And as a stand-up comedian, I've discovered a more buoyant and cheerful perspective to tackle the challenges I face. While my passion lies in biological research, the intricacies of troubleshooting and standardisation can sometimes feel overwhelming. It's during these moments that my comedic side comes into play, helping me stay stress-free and content. I've come to understand that perseverance, motivation, and enthusiasm are essential for research, and maintaining a cheerful demeanour significantly aids in meeting these requirements.