I grew up in Shillong, a small hilly town in Northeast India. In 2005, when I first started studying geology, one lecture on plate tectonics sparked a lifelong fascination. I had no idea where it would lead, but it felt like the right path.
I topped my university and chose to pursue Geophysics, combining my two favorite subjects: geology and physics. After clearing one of the toughest entrance exams in the country, I made my way to IIT Bombay for a postgraduate degree in Applied Geophysics, as the only woman in my class. My career took shape when I joined the subsurface exploration team at SLB in Mumbai, India, working on oil and gas projects across India, the Middle East, and Australia.
The next leap took more courage: leaving a secure job and a comfortable life in Mumbai to join an oil and gas operator in Germany. Everything was new and challenging: the language, the food, and the culture, but I've always been drawn to a challenge, and I found my footing the way I usually do — by learning the language first. It turned out to be the shortcut to people's hearts.
From there, I pivoted into geothermal energy research, leading international projects across Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland. During this time, I also decided to fulfill my long-held wish of obtaining a Doctoral degree - a big decision past 30, in addition to a full-time job. It was an intense journey, and I am proud to say I graduated with Summa Cum Laude, the highest distinction in late 2021.
Today, at Ad Terra in Geneva, I am back in industry, leading the company's R&D portfolio and innovation strategy – all with the aim of making low-carbon energy sources like geothermal and natural hydrogen more commercially viable. Alongside this, I collaborate internationally with universities and research institutions, and mentor and supervise students, supporting them in reaching their research goals.
