As people around the world are affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Biophysical Society is sharing stories from members about how their lives and research have been impacted. 

Samrat Mukhopadhyay, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali & BPS Ambassador

Mohali, Punjab, India

This is an extraordinary and challenging time for all of us. Although India has not yet been affected severely by COVID-19 (the number of confirmed cases as of now is around 150 in the entire country and is on the rise), we continue to closely monitor developments. We are following advice from our government, the World Health Organization, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the NIH, and our scientific and medical communities. The next few weeks are very crucial for India since it takes a few weeks for the virus to spread widely. The experts say that we are at the level of stage 2 (local transmission) and must try and contain this from going to stage 3 (community transmission). Our federal and state governments are working relentlessly and seamlessly to contain the spread and transmission.

Most premier academic institutions including the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) are either completely or partially shut down till March 31st (soon this date might be extended to mid or end of April). As of now, there is not a single case at our institute (IISER Mohali) or in the greater metropolitan Chandigarh-Mohali area (located 150 miles north of Delhi), but we are taking strict measures. The classes, seminars, and other academic activities have been canceled. Efforts are underway to put the distance learning/remote teaching strategies in place. Our students can leave the campus and our academic staff can choose to work from home. PhD students and postdocs can choose to leave, and if they stay back on-campus, they are asked to work in shifts and comply with the social distancing advisory. A complete lab shut down is quite possible in the very near future and the online lab meeting is also in the cards.

Staying safe and healthy is our top priority. Some of our PhD students who have already submitted/defended their PhD theses and are aspiring to start their postdoctoral work abroad (USA/Europe) are affected. Despite having the formal offers, they can't either travel abroad now or apply for the visas. This is a bit frustrating for them but there is no choice. We must try and reappoint them here until they can fly overseas and start their postdoctoral studies elsewhere. Hopefully, we will let this phase pass soon. I wish all my biophysics colleagues and friends a safe and healthy time with family.

Would you like to share your experience in this difficult and uncertain time? Email your perspective to [email protected].