After adoption leave, coming back to work meant adapting to a landscape that felt both familiar and new. A recently merged team, unfamiliar faces, and a different management structure made it feel like I was stepping into uncharted territory.
I was incredibly lucky to have unwavering support from a couple of wonderful colleagues and my new line manager. Their understanding made the transition smoother and far less daunting.
In 2009, after completing my master's degree in Italy, I secured a scholarship for international students and joined the University of Reading as a Meteorology PhD student. My research focuses on understanding tropical climate and its variability through the study of convection simulation and interactions with large-scale circulation.
The arrival of my daughter at the end of the second year of my PhD was a challenge. As a single mum, solely responsible for childcare, and with no family nearby, I needed to find a way to balance both motherhood and my studies. Professionally, it was quite disruptive, but the University was incredibly supportive.
I've been at the University since 2004, when I came to start a PhD on snakebite/venom research. I have found my time here very exciting and have worked with many people from different departments at the University.
I'm from a small village in Tamil Nadu, India, and have seen a lot of snakebites in and around my village. When I was just 11, I was almost bitten by a cobra and narrowly escaped. Throughout my lifetime, I've witnessed no improvement in snakebite treatment at all: the technology we are using to treat snakebites is almost 150 years old.
I am an Associate Professor for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at the International Study and Language Institute (ISLI). My role primarily is to teach and support international students at the University whose first language is not English both before and during their degrees.
I am passionate about language and education and have never regretted this choice of career which led me to working in six different countries before finally returning to my own. I’ve taught on a range of exciting projects across state and commercial sectors, such as the British Council developed Peacekeeping English Project. These experiences and skills have helped me to connect with the diverse international student body at Reading. Students who would otherwise feel less confident in seminars, light up when you share first-hand insights of their culture or country. What’s more my colleagues in ISLI reflect the diversity of our School with a fusion of backgrounds, interests, ambitions, languages, and qualifications.
