Women @ Energy: Harshini Mukundan

Harshini Mukundan is currently the deputy group leader for the physical chemistry and applied spectroscopy group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. She is also the team leader for the chemistry for biomedical applications research team, and mentor and leads several scientists, technologists, students and post-doctoral fellows in this capacity. Her team aims to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and countervention strategies for emerging infectious diseases, traumatic brain injury and cancer, by exploring science at the intersection of chemistry, biology, engineering, informatics and physics. Their core platform, the Universal Bacterial Sensor, is currently being validated for use in clinically relevant samples. This platform was the winner of an R&D100 Award in 2018, and was also awarded the Gold Prize for Corporate Social Responsibility, which was the first time this recognition was awarded to LANL. Harshi first came to the Los Alamos National Laboratory as an NIH post-doctoral fellow in 2006, before which she worked in a start-up biotechnology company for two years. She is originally from India, where she graduated with a BS(Hons) and MS degree in microbiology, after which she came to the US to pursue PhD in Biomedical Sciences. She is passionate about mentoring, STEM education and science outreach, and have been awarded mentoring recognitions from LANL, women in technology recognition from the New Mexico technology council, among other recognitions.

I have always been a curious person. The pursuit of science was a natural way to channel that intrinsic curiosity, and I found a career as a scientist to be extremely satisfying in that respect. Solving problems is extremely gratifying, and a career in STEM allows you do that consistently and effectively. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to mentor, and be mentored; to teach and to learn at the same time. I enjoy working with students, post-doctoral fellows and young scientists and mentoring them to develop a career of their choosing in STEM fields.

Working in the Energy Department, in a U.S. National Laboratory, allows me to address and develop solutions for the most pressing national and global problems! Developing such solutions often involves multidisciplinary science, which is only possible at institutions such as a DOE National Laboratory!

There are two major challenges to increasing diversity in STEM fields. Recruitment, and retention. With respect to recruitment - girls and underrepresented groups need to be encouraged to believe that they can contribute to STEM fields just as much as anyone else. Science outreach, STEM programs in middle and high school environments, internship opportunities and consistent mentoring can certainly help in this respect. Fiscal and monetary limitations to obtaining a good education also contribute to this disparity. A focused investment – both financial and intellectual – in our early education system, and development of programs to encourage STEM careers can certainly help decrease the diversity disparity that is evident today.

With respect to retention – women need very different things from a career as compared to men: Flexible work hours, paternity and maternity leave, supportive environments and social support networks to name a few. Requirements also differ for various underrepresented groups. Having recruitment information that targets the diverse groups that are being considered is critical to ensure interest, and retention. Many STEM fields are also notoriously intolerant of breaks in the career cycle, and changes in focus areas. Developing training tools to help individuals who are forced to make transitions make them more effectively can also be of significance. Absolute intolerance to harassment or discrimination, multi-focused hiring committees, social difference and awareness training/exposure can also facilitate acceptance and retention.

Be sure that it is what you want to do! 

Believe in yourself. Don’t give up. Seek supportive mentorship.

Always remember that advancement in science requires thinking outside the box! A more diverse community can certainly facilitate that – not dampen it!

I read a lot! I am passionate about history, but also enjoy fiction and stories from across the world. I also enjoy writing, and languages. I love dancing - Bollywood and Indian classical dancing, and also enjoy Zumba as a form of exercise. I have two children, and my husband and I enjoy spending time with them. We live in beautiful Los Alamos, with the amazing outdoors, and so we enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities as well. I love many things – which can be both fun and challenging! I love painting, gardening, cooking, and decorating my house, as well as traveling! There is often the impression that a scientist is a super-focused Einstein-like person, with not much interest in anything else. I assure you, that is not true at all!

Learn more about our programs & resources for women and girls in STEM at http://www.energy.gov/women