[Anupama]

I have completed my M.Tech in Food Biotechnology Engineering and qualified GATE BT 2015 with air 701 and score 427. I got a call for Ph.D interview from Kusuma School Of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi. I am very interested to do my Ph.D from reputed institute but I am facing problems in searching research areas regarding Food Biotech. I have searched facuty profiles of IIT Delhi but I couldn't find any research interest related to my M.tech thesis ( Probiotics). I don't understand what will I do during interview when they ask me for research interest? If I prepare my research proposal according to any professor's research interest (like study of microbial products having therapeutic use for humans, I am intersted in this topic also)then will they consider me for admission despite of having thesis work on different topic. I am really very confused about this matter and I don't have anyone for guidance. If I want to go for NUS, is there any possibility for me? Is it fine in a financial point of view ( is it costly to do Ph.D outhere)?
   I have read your previous suggestions and your stories and I really found them very helpful. You are doing a great job. Please help me also.

[SunilNagpal]

I have completed my M.Tech in Food Biotechnology Engineering and qualified GATE BT 2015 with air 701 and score 427. I got a call for Ph.D interview from Kusuma School Of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi. I am very interested to do my Ph.D from reputed institute but I am facing problems in searching research areas regarding Food Biotech. I have searched facuty profiles of IIT Delhi but I couldn't find any research interest related to my M.tech thesis ( Probiotics). I don't understand what will I do during interview when they ask me for research interest? If I prepare my research proposal according to any professor's research interest (like study of microbial products having therapeutic use for humans, I am intersted in this topic also)then will they consider me for admission despite of having thesis work on different topic. I am really very confused about this matter and I don't have anyone for guidance. If I want to go for NUS, is there any possibility for me? Is it fine in a financial point of view ( is it costly to do Ph.D outhere)?
   I have read your previous suggestions and your stories and I really found them very helpful. You are doing a great job. Please help me also.

Hello Anupama,

First of all, apologies for the delayed response. I came to know about your query from BiotechStudents.com support staff as well.

Starting from your query regarding the inability to find a perfect match with your background (Probiotics). I must say that your anxiousness is not needed in this regard. Reason is actually very well conveyed by themselves only:

1. There will be no restriction on the background of the student in terms of the qualifying degree. However, it is expected that the student’s prior academic career will demonstrate interest in the broad field of biological sciences. A student applying to the programme can have a B.Tech., B.E., M.Tech., M.E., M. Sc. or M. S. in any discipline of science and engineering.

2. Selection of PhD students is based on a written test (for the eligible applicants) followed by an interview (of those screened from the written test). The written test will examine the analytical ability of students with examples from biology, and does not require memorization of any biological terminologies. A sample question paper is available here (pdf file, with answers).

3. After admission to the PhD programme, the background needed for carrying out research work by the students will be developed through a selection of courses from those developed for this PhD programme, and from existing courses in the Institute. The courses for the PhD programme will be evolving continuously with the aim of training the next generation of researchers in biological sciences. These courses will bring together a combination of experiment and theory for understanding how biological systems work from the cellular to the systems level.

Now talking about reflecting your suitability to PhD at KSBS, IITD during interview.

Broadly mention your inclination for conducting research in the areas closely related to Human Health. Frame it in the following way:

That the most suitable project that grabbed your attention during M.Tech (amongst the available ones) was 'Probitoics', as "a healthy gut microbiota, has profound impact on overall health/physiology of a human being". If given a chance (and obviously subject to the feasibility of application, I could take it forward to study the correlation of the gut microbiota with the neurological diseases/mental state of an ALS person (Cite the findings of Steenbergen L, Sellaro R, van Hemert S, Bosch J, Colzato L. A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2015.)"

Even if a project related to Gut microbiota and it's impact on mental state is not feasible at KSBS, I feel that my desire to work in areas related to Human Health will definitely find a suitable match at KSBS."


And, yes you can very well apply at NUS/NTU using your GATE score. And if selected, you wont have to spend a penny there, rather you will be getting a scholarship to the tune of S$2000-2500 (nearly INR 1 lakh) per month.

Hope it helps

Best wishes

Sunil

[Anupama]

Thank you so much sir. you guided me very well. yeah I'll prepare myself as you suggested me. I was in dilemma and you helped me a lot. You gave me a great idea. Thank you sir for your advise.