Women in Research #LINO25: Neethu Varghese

Neethu from India is a PhD student at the University of Genoa, Italy.

She develops novel electrocatalysts to enhance the efficiency of green hydrogen production. Her work primarily focuses on the oxygen evolution reaction, designing non-precious metal catalysts for anion exchange membrane electrolyzers, which offer improved performance and reduced costs.

Neethu participates in the 74^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Enjoy the interview with Neethu and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

I’ve been passionate about science since childhood. I was very inquisitive as a child, and science came easily to me. It felt like the most natural path to pursue. I also owe a great deal to my family, who have always supported my interest in science. After high school, I received a prestigious national scholarship from the Government of India called Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), which is awarded to the top 1% of students across the country. This opened the door for me to study at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), one of India’s premier research institutions and the former workplace of Nobel Laureate C.V. Raman. Being surrounded by some of the brightest minds at IISc was incredibly stimulating. Those formative experiences strengthened my passion for research and deepened my commitment to a career in science.

Who are your role models?

Throughout my life and career, I have been inspired by many people. The first and most enduring influence has been my mother. She earned a degree in physics at a time when no one else in her family had gone to college. Although she didn’t pursue a professional career in science, she had a deeply analytical mind and a natural scientific temperament.

Beyond that, I’ve been fortunate to have exceptional mentors and advisors throughout my academic journey, from my school teachers to my university professors and PhD supervisors. Each of them has played a role in shaping my scientific thinking, encouraging my curiosity, and guiding me during critical moments. I also draw constant inspiration and intellectual challenge from my friends and my husband, who is also a scientist. He pushes me to think critically and not settle for easy answers. I can’t point to a single role model. Instead, I see my growth as the result of a network of supportive people.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

My journey into science has not been straightforward, and I’ve faced several challenges along the way. Although I was fortunate to receive a solid education, I completed my early schooling in a rural, government-run school in Kerala, Southern India, rather than in a private or elite institution. When I moved from a village in Kerala to the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore for my undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the transition was not easy. Language was initially a barrier, and adapting to a competitive academic environment where all my peers were exceptionally talented was daunting. But over time, I adapted and began to thrive.

After completing my master’s degree, I chose a nontraditional path. I took a short break to explore opportunities in government service and spent time teaching science to school students. Teaching turned out to be deeply rewarding, and it pushed me to engage with science on a deeper level, making me realize how much I enjoyed asking questions and thinking critically. These experiences eventually convinced me that pursuing a PhD could be a way not only to grow as a teacher but also to make meaningful contributions to science.

When I began exploring research opportunities, I was drawn to the urgent global need for sustainable energy solutions. A project on green hydrogen and energy transition stood out to me, and I joined a lab working on this problem. It was exciting but also challenging; I was the first person in the lab to work on electrocatalysis, which came with a steep learning curve. My background hadn’t involved electrochemistry, but I found it intellectually stimulating and soon became deeply passionate about it.

I’m especially grateful to Professor Antonio Comite from the University of Genoa and Professor Svein Sunde from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, who mentored me during this phase and helped me build a strong foundation in electrochemical principles.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

The coolest project I’m working on right now involves the electrochemical transformation of metal-organic framework (MOF) based catalysts. Under electrochemical conditions, they don’t remain as MOFs; they undergo a structural transformation and evolve into new, active catalytic phases. What’s particularly exciting is that these transformed materials often outperform both their parent MOFs and the same materials synthesized directly by conventional methods.

This unexpected superiority of MOF-derived catalysts opened up a series of questions that I’ve been investigating. I discovered that the activity of these catalysts depends strongly on the choice of linker, metal composition, and synthesis method. Understanding how these variables influence transformation pathways is a puzzle I’m very excited to explore. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, I use advanced techniques such as in-situ Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We’ve uncovered some intriguing results, and I look forward to sharing them with the scientific community once the work is ready for publication.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

One moment I felt immense pride was during my industrial collaboration with H2 Energy SRL, a startup in the hydrogen sector. As part of my PhD, I spent time working at the company, and everything, from the instruments to the workflow, was entirely new for me. I had to independently figure out how to operate the equipment, run the experiments, and adapt my research to the new environment. Within a short period, I was able to set up and carry out meaningful experiments. Both my colleagues at the company and my academic advisors acknowledged my efforts and that recognition meant a great deal to me.

Another initiative I’m particularly proud of is my role on the leadership team of the Early Career Network of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE ECN), where I currently serve as co-Vice Chair. It has been deeply fulfilling to help organize a range of successful activities and to play a central role in connecting early career researchers and professionals from around the world.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

My daily routine is probably similar to that of many PhD students. I start my day with a caffè, of course, which gives me the boost to dive into my research. I head to the lab, where I work with my favorite instruments: the potentiostat and the rotating disk electrode. These are central to my electrochemical studies, and I enjoy designing and setting up experiments, running tests, and analyzing the activity of the catalysts.

What I love about experimental research is that every day brings something new — a fresh challenge to troubleshoot or an unexpected result to explore. It keeps me engaged and excited. Writing is another part of the PhD journey, and while it’s not as exciting as experimental work, it’s essential, and I make time for it regularly.

Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my colleagues. We often chat over coffee or lunch, sharing stories about food, culture, and life in Italy. Living in Genoa is a bonus; some evenings, I take a walk along the beautiful Ligurian coastline or enjoy an aperitivo, which is a lovely Italian tradition.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I’m deeply passionate about both science and mentorship. In the long term, I see myself in a leadership role where I can guide and inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators, whether in academia or industry. I want to help young researchers grow, ask meaningful questions, and pursue their goals with confidence.

At the same time, I want my work to have a tangible impact on the world. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges we face, and scientists have a responsibility to contribute to the solution. Ultimately, I aspire to establish my own company specializing in sustainable technologies, particularly in catalyst development for clean energy applications. Through this venture, I aim to contribute practical, scalable solutions that support the transition to a greener and more sustainable future.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

When I’m not conducting research, I enjoy traveling and exploring new cuisines, often with my husband. We both love discovering local cultures through their food. I also enjoy reading fiction, as it helps me unwind and reset.

Another passion of mine is dance. I’m a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, and although I don’t practice it formally anymore, I still dance whenever I can. It’s a beautiful way to stay connected to my cultural roots.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

Be passionate about what you do, and strive to become really good at it. It is crucial to find mentors who believe in you and support your growth. Having the right guidance can make all the difference.

Say yes to opportunities, even if you feel you’re not ready or not ‘good enough.’ Often, our self-doubts are just that – doubts – and not a reflection of our true potential. And when things don’t go as planned, don’t be disheartened. Science, like life, has its ups and downs. Trust yourself and keep moving forward with hope.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

I believe the next major breakthrough in my field will stem from the integration of Artificial Intelligence into catalyst discovery. AI algorithms are already being employed to significantly reduce the computational cost of predicting highly active catalysts, a process that would otherwise be prohibitively time-consuming using traditional methods. However, current approaches still struggle with complex catalysts and reaction mechanisms. Overcoming this barrier will be a transformative step with a substantial real-world impact.

This advancement has the potential to revolutionize materials discovery for clean energy, accelerating the development of efficient and affordable technologies such as green hydrogen production. By harnessing AI to address critical scientific challenges, we can accelerate the energy transition, make it more cost-effective, and achieve truly scalable outcomes.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

There are many talented women working in my field. I personally know several outstanding female scientists. However, when it comes to professorial positions and senior leadership roles, the numbers drop significantly. This disparity is hard to ignore, and it points to deeper structural issues that go beyond individual capability.

We need institutional support and proactive policies to address these imbalances. That includes not just equal opportunity initiatives but also mentorship programs, flexible career pathways, and a rethinking of evaluation metrics that can better support women navigating both scientific careers and personal responsibilities. It’s a complex issue, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but acknowledging the problem and actively working toward systemic change is a critical first step.