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IDERHA in the spotlight Part 2: Yojana Gadiya
In our interview series about the people that drive IDERHA, we spotlight Early Career Community member Yojana Gadiya. Read about her fascination about becoming a scientist and what she would like to learn from Agatha Christie over dinner.
Can you share some insights into the work you are doing in IDERHA (including your affiliation and WP)? And why is your work important?
I am part of Fraunhofer ITMP (Hamburg), contributing to WP4, which focuses on healthcare data standards and interoperability. Being part of the team, my role involves promoting the understanding and application of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles among researchers. Given the exponential growth of data, establishing quality measures early on is crucial to prevent future challenges related to data integrity. This is where awareness and actionability of FAIR in the consortium play a cornerstone in the researcher. By working within a federated learning infrastructure, we aim to ensure that data quality meets the requirements of current and future machine learning models, enabling more advanced techniques over time.
Looking ahead five years, what profound impact do you envision your project will have on both your personal growth and the broader landscape of your field?
IDHERA is revolutionizing the health data landscape by introducing an innovative approach, federated learning, to data modelling. At its core is a federated learning infrastructure that enables machine learning models (residing on a server) to be trained on data within the host organization's environment, addressing ethical and privacy concerns, particularly with sensitive clinical data. This infrastructure not only supports current research in cancer but also has the potential to be applied across other domains. As a newcomer, IDHERA provides valuable opportunities to learn about data management, methodologies, limitations, and more, enhancing my understanding of the field.
If you were to deliver a TED talk, what would be the topic you'd choose, and why do you think it’s interesting enough for everyone to hear?
In my TED talk, I would focus on educating researchers for building a shared infrastructure for biopharmaceutical research facilitating meaningful data exchange between academic and industry researchers. With the vast amounts of data generated daily in labs and clinics, ensuring that this data adheres to FAIR principles—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable—is crucial for advancing our understanding of biology. The era of working in silos and secrecy is over; we must embrace open science to accelerate discoveries, enhance collaboration, and drive innovation across the scientific community. By promoting transparency and shared knowledge, we can solve complex challenges more efficiently and effectively.
If the world of research hadn’t been your calling, what alternative career path do you think you might have taken? And why didn’t you take it?
From an early age, I was fascinated by the idea of becoming a scientist. Guided by this passion, I pursued a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, envisioning myself conducting exciting experiments in a lab like my colleagues at ITMP. However, my love for computers ultimately led me down a different path to where I am today. I’m glad I chose this direction, as it allows me to make the best use of my skills both in computational analysis and in understanding the science behind it.
Share with us your ideal way to spend a day off, whether it's a thrilling adventure, a cozy retreat, or an exploration of something new and exciting.
I used to blur the line between work and personal life, constantly functioning like a machine, until I realized the importance of setting boundaries and taking time to detach. Now, on my days off, I keep myself engaged with activities like cooking or solving puzzles. Books have become another way for me to de-stress and enjoy life beyond work.
If you could have dinner with any three individuals, living or deceased, who would they be and why?
- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: As a former President of India and a distinguished scientist, Kalam played a pivotal role in India's defence and space programs through his work at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). I would be eager to hear more about his innovative ideas and future perspectives on scientific development, as well as brainstorm a couple of ideas.
- Michelle Obama - As a role model and advocate for many, Michelle Obama has inspired countless lives through her resilience and leadership. I would love to learn from her wisdom and be motivated by her journey.
- Agatha Christie - She was a prominent fictional writer. Writing a fiction or non-fiction book is a dream I hope to achieve someday. I would seek her guidance on how to embark on this journey—from developing compelling plots and memorable characters to maintaining suspense and pacing. I’d love to learn her techniques for crafting captivating mysteries, finding creative inspiration, and overcoming writer's block. Her insights could provide invaluable advice to help me pursue my passion for writing and storytelling.
Dive into the world of science-related entertainment - what's your absolute favourite movie, TV series, or book, and why should everyone see or read it at least once?
I am a big fan of books and always prefer them over digital content. Recently, I stumped upon “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, a book I highly recommend to anyone seeking personal or professional change. It illustrates how small adjustments in your surroundings can lead to significant life transformations. I’ve tried a few of its ideas myself, and they have worked wonders. Speaking of books, I can't forget to mention two of my favourite authors since childhood: Agatha Christie and Ruskin Bond.
If you had the magical ability to master a new skill in just 24 hours, what skill would you choose and why?
If I could choose a hypothetical skill, it would be teleportation—it would make travelling anywhere in seconds a reality! But on a more serious note, I wouldn't want to master a new skill in "just" 24 hours. And as the saying goes: “It's about the journey, not just the destination”, that's too little time to enjoy the process truly: learning, making mistakes, and improving along the way.