RIFKA ZIYARD
COLOMBO : Dr Chrishani Rodrigo, reminiscing on her academic journey so far which is a path less travelled by many in Sri Lanka at the time she started explains, “Research or research in science itself is not a field everyone wishes to embrace. It was Dr (Mrs) Geethani Wickramasinghe, a friend of my mother, who inspired me with her insights on her research. Dr Wickramasinghe is the first consultant virologist to establish a respiratory viral laboratory in Sri Lanka at MRI and then expanded to numerous hospitals within the country. Today, she is retired but due to her hard work only in the present pandemic situation investigation of respiratory virus was extended to several other laboratories. She was my greatest inspiration to specialize in this field as I had no science background and she depicted how well one can manage work life balance”.
She further added “Also, I faced the same issues that some face due to prefixed notions that if one studies science one has to become a doctor. It is not so, and although convincing my parents took a bit a while, I finally got the green light to pursue my interest to become a research scientist. Thereafter with the support of my family, I was able to lay the foundation in the field of microbiology by entering the University of Bangalore and returning with a first class for a BSc in Microbiology. Nurtured by my father’s encouragement I continued further education in the field of molecular biology andI’m glad I choose to do a Msc in Molecular Life Sciences, here at IBMBB, University of Colombo. Ultimately I became a full-time presidential scholar to do my PhD (at IBMBB, University of Colombo)from the National Research Council in 2012.
Dr Chrishani Rodrigo is a past pupil of Methodist College, Colombo 03. She has done her BSc in Microbiology (University of Bangalore) and MSc in Molecular Life Sciences (University of Colombo) and PhD in Molecular medicine (University of Colombo). She is an academic for past 15 years and is a home maker with 3 children ( 15, 12 & 2 yrs). She is a part time Senior lecturer in a leading private university affiliated to UK(in the field of Molecular Biology and genetics) and a researcher (in Molecular medicine- breast cancer)
Providing her advice to women considering a career in this field, Dr Rodrigo explains “I believe in ‘the unlimited power and potentials of women’ in the context of science. Being a researcher is very challenging and occasionally lonely as you are mostly in a laboratory environment. Nevertheless, if you have a passion for science, go for it as your research matters in science as well as to the society. Final contribution is immense. Never give up, until your research work is heard and recognized as your hard work and sacrifices need credit”.
Dr Rodrigo says that “it’s important to seek peer support from your lab mates and mentoring that you require to proceed and it should be reciprocal and you should always be ready to support your colleagues especially women as it’s not easy for a woman to balance family life and work. Share your knowledge and always be humble to learn from other researchers while respecting their views and findings. Never overestimate your work. Also, women can be Nobel prize winners too, so that should be a motivational drive if you choose this field”.
Dr Rodrigo also feels that being a lecturer to undergraduates, has given her the opportunity to encourage young females towards different fields in science and she is satisfied and happy to see them excelling in their fields.
Dr Rodrigo providing her views on key issue/s facing women today remarked “Women easily get discouraged or underestimate themselves due to certain attitudes of others. Never gather negative energy. It will directly or indirectly affect us as an individual, then family and eventually society. A woman’s mental health has a major impact on society”
She further explains, “be a wife, a mother in the family unit but not a slave. Demonstrate how you fulfill your responsibilities and let your kids respect it and realize their future responsibilities in a family unit (irrespective of their gender)”.
Dr Rodrigo says another issue is the balancing act, “Women may become overly engrossed in their work and completely forget their responsibilities towards their husband, kids, parents and to society. It’s sad to see how family units are shattered due to the lack of time spent and love given by wife/ mother to the family. All of us have our dreams but a woman should weigh it with responsibilities to the family, especially to her children. Our work life along with our social life should be balanced with family life. Priority should be given to kids as they have only us to depend on. Children grow with a blink of an eye and the devotion of our time to them is an investment we make for generations. It’s many folds more than the earnings from a career. I have taken some hard decisions to take breaks in my career, but I don’t regret it as it has given me contentment in life”.
Discussing on the effects of the pandemic, Dr Rodrigo says “Today data has proved the pandemic has intensified additional challenges for women, especially those with children, aged parents, struggling to maintain their career. Women have been doing an amazing job during the pandemic, balancing their career while looking into the needs of their, family, household and aged parents. Women have proved their capabilities in multitasking. There were a group of women who lost their jobs, but their responsibilities to family never left them. Most of these women never gave up and I have witnessed how they became entrepreneurs. I’m certain in future we will get to hear many successful stories of women who made the pandemic a tool to succeed. At the same we should appreciate all the wonderful women who have worked and are working for essential services during this pandemic”.
Colombo Times requested Dr Rodrigo to share her views on how health conscious women are today and on awareness in relation to breast cancer. Dr Rodrigo explains, “compared to the past, women are more health conscious. But that has been restricted to a particular tier in the society. We must carry this message to women in rural areas too. On a day like this we should give priority to our health. If a woman becomes unhealthy, it will directly or indirectly collapse the lives of many. Especially with our busy lifestyles, we tend to neglect ourselves. I have met countless of women with breast cancer during my research. Sadly, most are them young mothers with kids and listening to them; clearly made me realize consequences are due to negligence and unawareness”.
Dr Rodrigo imparts vital advice “Healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, maintaining healthy weight, Limiting or avoiding sugar/ highly processed food may help lower risk of breast cancers. It’s never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle and it can be physically and mentally rewarding at any point in life. Regular screening tests should be prioritized after the age of 40 and any changes in the breast tissue (breast pathology) should be addressed immediately”.
Dr Rodrigo attributes her success in her journey thus far too many supporting factors. “the strongest foundations were laid by my parents and the constant, immeasurable support given by my husband. He’s the main pillar of my success. My two sons and little daughter play a big role. My brother was an encourager. My mother taught me to be strong and to be a giver. My female buddies always encouraged me and helped me recognize my talents. My school taught me to be thankful, humble and to live without competition. In the field of science, my role model was my PhD supervisor Prof Kamani Tennekoon, Senior Professor of Molecular Life Sciences (IBMBB, University of Colombo) who paved the pathway for me to move forward in Science by being an inspiration and a mentor. As you see there are many women who are my inspirational forces, and woman can always inspire one another.
On this International Women’s Day, Dr Rodrigo extends her views “Today we should appreciate, admire every single woman, for the immense contribution they have given to the society”.
She explains that it is important in life to be down to earth and carry a golden heart to help and support one another. “Be the kind of woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world that it was crooked.” Then one day somebody will fix yours. This alone can inspire the lives of many women” says Dr Rodrigo.
Dr Rodrigo says that contentment in life is vital. “At the end of the day you should be happy with what you have gained if not make the change in the next minute, don’t wait for another day. Don’t ever postpone spending time with family and your loved ones. I also feel that each one of us has the responsibility to teach the younger generation to admire every woman regardless of her education, caste, fame, colour, religion, money, profession etc. Inspirational women come in all shapes and colour and each one of them is an achiever!”
She concluded by saying, “Definitely women are unique. Don’t ever compare yourself to a man. Women are by nature are designed with a different set of hormones compared to men. Embrace your uniqueness in every aspect of life. Don’t expect men to respect you. Earn your respect from men. Don’t be competitive. Each one of us is wired differently, so always work to achieve your dream and not somebody else’s. Blaze your own trail, which will allow you more freedom and creativity”.
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Interviewed and compiled by Rifka Ziyard MBA, FCMA, CGMA, FTII, B Com
Rifka is the Director – Tax and Regulatory at KPMG.
