Women in Research #LINO75: Tandralee Chetia

Tandralee from India is a PhD Student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

Her research focuses on high-fidelity computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling of therapeutic formulations.

Tandralee participates in the 75sup>th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting #LINO75.

Enjoy the interview with Tandralee and get inspired:

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

I loved to draw and paint as a child. My path into science began with this artistic fascination for patterns in nature. I was captivated by the beauty of fluid motion: the vortex rings and intricate patterns that emerge in liquids and gases, and was fascinated that these phenomena could be explained through universal physical laws. This blend of creativity and scientific rigor drew me to fluid dynamics.

I worked as a scientist for the Indian space program, where I applied fluid dynamic principles to cryogenic flow systems for India’s lunar and human spaceflight missions. While working on aerospace problems, I became increasingly interested in how fluid dynamics could also address challenges in healthcare. Today, as part of my doctoral research, I use advanced computational models to investigate how complex drug formulations are manufactured.

My research focuses on understanding the interplay between fluid dynamics and physicochemical processes, advancing knowledge to improve the consistency, effectiveness, and safety of next-generation medicines. For me, it is exciting that the same scientific principles can enable both space exploration and medical innovation.

Who are your role models?

Two people who have particularly inspired me are Kalpana Chawla and Katalin Karikó.

Growing up in a small town in India, Kalpana Chawla represented what was possible beyond the boundaries of one’s immediate surroundings. As the first woman of Indian origin in space, she inspired many young girls like me to look beyond our immediate environments and believe that we, too, could contribute to science and exploration on a global stage. Her journey from Karnal, Haryana, to space demonstrated that ambition and perseverance can transcend geography and circumstance.

I am also deeply inspired by Katalin Karikó’s scientific journey and personal resilience. She was born in Hungary to a modest background; her father worked as a butcher, and her mother was a bookkeeper. Yet she went on to pursue science with extraordinary determination. Despite decades of limited funding, repeated rejections, and professional setbacks, she remained committed to the idea that messenger RNA could be used for therapeutic purposes. Her persistence ultimately laid the foundation for mRNA-based vaccines, a breakthrough recognized with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Her story is a powerful reminder that transformative science often comes from persistence in ideas that others are not yet ready to believe in.

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

I come from Sibsagar, a small town in Assam in Northeast India. It is a place known for its tea, silk, rich biodiversity, and the view of mountains wherever you go. Both my parents are government schoolteachers in my hometown. Growing up, I experienced both limited awareness of scientific careers and relatively few structured opportunities to explore science in depth. When I was born, my family was going through a very difficult period; my father had not received his salary for nearly two years, and my mother was managing the household on a very modest income while repaying debts. We lived in a small mud-walled house, and I still remember my father waking up at 5 a.m. to take tuition classes and working late into the night to support us.

In spite of our conditions, my father constantly encouraged me to think beyond the limits and actively searched for pathways that could turn ambitious dreams into reality. Over time, I pursued aerospace engineering at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology and later joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a Scientist working on cryogenic flow systems for space missions, opportunities none of my family had ever imagined possible. Today, I am pursuing my PhD in the United States, travelling further than any woman in my family ever has, and even now, moments like this: going from a town most Indians can’t locate on a map to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting as a young scientist still feels like a fairytale. Being a woman who has had the opportunity to wear a suit and speak at a conference felt deeply meaningful. Through all of this, what has carried me forward is my parents’ evolving belief in my journey and my own effort to keep expanding what felt possible for someone from my background.

I am also deeply grateful to the mentors who have shaped my path and believed in me at different stages of my journey. My undergraduate research mentors, Dr. Dhayalan R and Dr. Sreejalekshmi K.G., played a crucial role in introducing me to research and helping me build confidence in scientific thinking. At Purdue, my PhD advisor, Dr. Arezoo Ardekani, has been instrumental in guiding my development as a researcher. I have also been fortunate to learn from numerous other mentors during internships and collaborations, whether it was learning new computational techniques or being exposed to new ways of thinking about problems. Their support has been essential in helping me reach where I am today.

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

One of the coolest projects I have worked on was during my Master’s, where I explored a question with important implications for human health: can the softness of a blood clot affect where it travels in the body and whether it causes a stroke? Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. One common type of stroke occurs when a small fragment of a blood clot breaks away, travels through the bloodstream, and eventually blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Most existing studies simplify these clot fragments as rigid particles, but in reality, blood clots are soft and can deform as they move through blood vessels.

To study this, we built a laboratory setup that recreated blood flow through human arteries. We started with medical scans of arterial pathways and recreated them as transparent 3D-printed vessel models. Instead of using blood, we used water-based pulsatile flow conditions. We created soft hydrogel particles designed to mimic real blood clots and tracked how they moved through the system. One of my favorite details from this project was that these particles were made from sodium alginate, the same material that can be used to make vegan caviar, which made it fascinating to see how something so unexpected could help model a serious medical problem. I loved this project because it brought together engineering, medicine, and curiosity in such a tangible way and potentially contributes to understanding a disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

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

I think the moments that make me feel the greatest sense of pride are when young students from my hometown reach out to me, asking about my work, whether it is my experience as a scientist in the Indian space program or my current research in biomedical fluid dynamics. They ask how to apply for these opportunities, whether for scientific roles or doctoral positions, and sometimes tell me that my journey inspired them to apply themselves. Those moments remind me that the work I am doing is meaningful. I may not know whether my research will impact thousands of people tomorrow, but knowing that my journey has encouraged even one young person to dream beyond their immediate circumstances means everything to me.

That is something I truly take pride in. It is also what keeps me going through the difficult moments of research: the setbacks, uncertainty, and long hours. It is what helps me wipe away the tears, return to work, and eventually stand on that conference stage and share the work I have dedicated myself to.

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

I have probably watched too many celebrity “day in the life” interviews, so I have been looking forward to answering this question! My day usually starts with a smoothie and breakfast, after which I pack my lunch and a large mug of black tea before heading to campus (I need two mugs of black tea/coffee to get through my day).

Most days, I work from around 10 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m (unless there is a specific deadline that might require me to work longer hours). As a computational researcher, much of my time is spent coding, debugging simulations, visualizing complex fluid flows, reading scientific literature, and developing computational models. Research is also highly collaborative, so there are plenty of meetings and discussions with my advisor and research group. As part of an Eli Lilly-funded research program, I also regularly participate in meetings and research presentations with other student researchers, which provides a great opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about projects beyond my own area of expertise. Depending on the semester, I may also be attending classes, working on assignments, studying for exams, or fulfilling teaching responsibilities such as preparing for lab hours, holding office hours, and helping students navigate challenging concepts.

Evenings are usually a balance between professional and personal activities. I am involved with the Purdue Graduate Student Government, so some evenings are spent volunteering for student events or attending organization meetings. On quieter days, I head home to unwind: perhaps with a good book, a cup of tea, a scented candle, and an episode of a favorite TV show. I also enjoy meeting friends for dinner or doing Pilates and Yoga. Research can be intellectually demanding, so I have learned that making time for community, movement, and small daily rituals is just as important as the work itself.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I want to spend my career doing what I love and doing it to the very best of my ability. My goal is to contribute meaningful, high-impact science that advances our understanding of the world and, ideally, improves people’s lives in tangible ways. Whether through new technologies, better medicines, or deeper scientific insights, I hope that the work I do will one day create an impact beyond the laboratory. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a field that genuinely excites me, and being able to spend each day pursuing work I am passionate about is something I never take for granted.

I hope to become the kind of scientist whose work and ideas are remembered because they meaningfully contributed to science and opened doors for others. Coming from a place where paths into science did not always feel visible or accessible, I care deeply about increasing representation in STEM and helping make scientific careers feel possible for people from backgrounds that have historically been underrepresented. If my work can contribute both to scientific progress and to creating a future where more diverse voices feel they belong in science, I would consider that a life very well spent.

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

Oh, so many things! I sometimes joke that I have more hobbies than I have time for. Outside of research, I enjoy painting, pottery painting, nature walks, reading, baking, traveling, and exploring new cities. I am also involved with the Purdue Graduate Student Government, where I help organize events for graduate students. Recently, I led an Arts & Crafts Night during Graduate Student Appreciation Week, which was a lot of fun. I also enjoy Pilates and yoga, and I love spending time with friends, whether that’s trying a new restaurant, exploring cafes and art galleries, or retail therapy with my girls. Having creative and social outlets helps me maintain balance and brings a lot of joy to my life outside the lab.

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

I often feel that many women underestimate their own capabilities, and I’ve had moments of self-doubt as well. But something that has stayed with me is the reminder that if you are in a space, you did not land there by accident; you have earned your place there, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

I also believe it is important to believe in the magnificent power of your dreams, especially the ones that feel so out of reach. There will be challenges and moments of uncertainty along the way, but if something truly matters to you, then all the cost and sacrifice it takes to pursue it is always worth it.

Too often, women are conditioned to care for others before caring for their own ambitions and desires. We are called selfish when we prioritize ourselves, and unlikable when we speak up, take space, or stand firmly in our opinions. But even in those moments, I think it is important to choose yourself, to unapologetically prioritize your passions, your dreams, and the things that truly light up your life and your mind, regardless of what others may say. Your goals do not need to look important or impressive to anyone else. If they matter to you, then they are worth pursuing. For me, learning to prioritize my passion for science and my personal milestones has been one of the most important decisions in my journey.

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

I believe one of the next significant breakthroughs in my field will be truly targeted, patient-specific drug delivery and treatment. For example, therapies that can precisely locate a tumor and selectively act on it to prevent its growth or metastasis, or treatments that can safely dissolve a blood clot before it can cause a stroke, without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.

More broadly, I am excited by the possibility of a future where treatment planning becomes increasingly predictive, where clinicians could potentially simulate therapeutic outcomes on a computer before administering a drug, and use those simulations to guide more informed decisions for individual patients. I am also very curious about how the emergence of artificial intelligence will impact this shift, particularly by its ability to model complex biological and fluid systems, optimize drug design, and eventually enable more personalized and precise medical treatments.

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

I think increasing the number of female scientists and professors requires work on two levels. The first is access: actively reaching out to young girls from smaller towns, rural areas, and underrepresented backgrounds where science often feels distant or inaccessible. We need initiatives that go beyond awareness and truly extend a hand into these communities at the school level, showing students early on that a career in science is not limited by geography or background. Bridging this gap requires intentional outreach to places from which great scientists have historically never emerged and making science visible and tangible in those environments.

The second is the confidence gap. Even when opportunities exist, many women struggle with a quiet but persistent sense of not being “good enough” to belong in scientific spaces. Addressing this requires mentorship, representation, and environments where women are encouraged to take intellectual risks without constantly questioning their place. When women see others like them succeeding and are consistently reminded that they do belong, it fundamentally changes how they perceive their own potential.

Both access and confidence are equally important, and only when we work on both together can we meaningfully increase the number of women who not only enter science but stay and thrive in it.