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IIT Bombay Scholar Balances PhD, Motherhood in Lab
23 Oct
Summary
- Scholar brings her toddler son to campus when nanny is unavailable.
- She works late hours in the lab with her son napping nearby.
- Campus community and professors offer significant support.
Henna K Seethi, a nearly 29-year-old PhD scholar at IIT Bombay, exemplifies dedication by integrating her maternal duties with her academic research. Enrolling in the PhD program in Health and Medical Psychology while pregnant, she navigates late-night lab sessions with her son, Omi, nearby. The IIT Bombay campus community has become a crucial support system, with colleagues and professors accommodating Omi's presence.
Henna's journey includes a BSc in Psychology from Farook College and an MA from Jamia Millia Islamia. After Omi's birth in January 2025, she relocated to Mumbai in July 2025 to commence her PhD, supported by her husband, a psychologist working in Kerala. Financial and logistical challenges, including high living costs and childcare, are ongoing concerns.
The campus community, including her mentor and professors, provides substantial assistance. This support has ranged from classmates babysitting to a dean arranging temporary accommodation during exams. Henna also manages postpartum blues through therapy at the Student's Wellness Centre, drawing inspiration from her own mother's sacrifices to pursue her ambitions without letting motherhood be a barrier.
