Mahesh's role profile

My current role:
Mineral and chemical investigations of volcanic rocks from the Earth, Moon, Mars and elsewhere in the solar system.

Job title: Scientist
Employer name: The Open University
Employer website: www.open.ac.uk
Location: England
Industry / business sector: Education
Ethnicity: Indian
Highest qualification: Masters, Doctorate, N/SVQ5
Registration level: None
Time in employment: 3-5 years

What attracted you to doing this?
From an early age, I was attracted to scientists because I found that they travel a lot, apply logic to solve problems, and their jobs appeared very exciting as they try to unlock nature's secrets.

What does your typical day involve?
My typical working day is a mixture of spending time in the lab doing experiments, reading new research articles, attending or giving seminars and developing new research ideas with colleagues at coffee and lunch.

Tell us more about your environment in terms of work-life balance
I love the scientific challenge but flexibility at work, opportunity to travel around the world attending conferences, seeing new places, meeting people, working with colleagues from different countries and being master of my own time.

What are you most proud of in what you do?
I feel proud of contributing towards world’s knowledge of natural environment. I also feel proud to be a responsible citizen. Most importantly, I feel that I can motivate and inspire young people for science.

Do your experiences of the current role you are in match your expectations?
My current role matches most of my expectations but the nature of the job itself makes my expectation grow every day. This brings new excitement into my daily work and helps me make more progress.

How did you get to where you are today?
After my GCSE and A level in science, I did a BA and masters, followed by PhD. At every stage, I was lucky to have access to role models giving advice on future career direction.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of following your path?
Associate with good people and plan ahead and work towards a goal. Keep an open mind about things and communicate with you role models for their advice and help as and when necessary.

What would you like to achieve in your career?
To contribute in understanding of physical and chemical processes necessary for the origin and existence of life elsewhere in the solar system. To improve the public understanding of science and inspire young minds in science.

Out of 'office hours', what lights your fire?
A wonderful family and a chance to explore the natural world giving me space and time to interact with friends and acquaintances. Taking care of the house and the garden and relaxing with family.

What did you dream of doing when you were growing up?
I dreamt of being an outstanding person in whichever field I chose to work in. I also wanted to be a person whom someone can look up to for inspiration and motivation.

Have there been any embarrassing moments?
Surely, there have been some but none of them have had any lasting impact which I can remember right now!

Name 3 things you still want to do
1) Travel to north and south poles 2) Make a ground breaking research discovery 3) Maintain a balanced and happy family life

Which TV or movie character most resembles you?
Sir David Attenborough

If you could be reincarnated as one thing what would it be, and why?
As Mahatma Gandhi because he believed in common good and had the power to influence the masses without force or violence.

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