PhD Mom's Lab: Where Toddler Joys Meet Research Rigors

Henna K Seethi, a 29-year-old PhD scholar at IIT Bombay, has found a unique way to balance her academic pursuits with motherhood. On days when her nanny cannot assist, she brings her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Omi, to the lab after students have departed. The lab environment, equipped with basic amenities for her child, has become a nurturing space where her son plays or rests nearby while she conducts her research in Health and Medical Psychology.

Driven by a desire to not let her dreams be overshadowed by her role as a mother, Henna navigates the complexities of her situation. She previously earned accolades such as clearing the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering in 2023 and has a strong academic background in psychology. Despite facing challenges such as living in rented accommodation five kilometers from campus and the financial strain it imposes, she is determined to succeed.

The support system at IIT Bombay has been instrumental. Professors and mentors have granted her permission to bring Omi to classes and meetings. When her nanny was away, the institution even allotted her a hostel room. Although the pressures of research and motherhood, including episodes of postpartum blues, are significant, Henna draws strength from her resolve, inspired by her own mother's sacrifices. She anticipates a more routine life once they secure campus accommodation and Omi turns two.