[Alumni of the Month / March 2024] Titiksha Srivastava

Q : Could you tell us more about yourself and about your academic background also shedding some light on what motivated you to choose France as your study destination in Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies?

A : Hello everyone, I'm Titiksha Srivastava and I've been recently appointed as a CNRS researcher at C2N, Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies in France. 

I did my primary education at St. Mary's Convent, Allahabad. And I'm very grateful to my school and all the teachers who instilled in me a passion for sciences in these formative years. And this led me to do a bachelor's in sciences, so physics honors from Miranda House the University of Delhi. And again, I had some of the best teachers and I was always motivated to pursue Physics. So then to orient myself more towards application-based sciences, I joined a special master's program, master's in nanoscience and nanotechnology, which was a collaboration between the University of Delhi and Université Grenoble Alpes, so in Grenoble, France. So this is how I came to France for one year of master's, which was in nanophysics. Then later on, I continued to do my PhD at Spintex CA, also in Grenoble. Then I did my postdocs at CNRS Thales, SPEC CEA, and C2N, all located on the Paris-Saclay University campus. 

Q : What are the most interesting research projects you have worked on since joining the Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies – C2N?

A : I think I really liked working on small magnetic textures that we can move easily using currents and they can be very useful for applications in memory and logic devices. and recently I have been working on spin waves and trying to explore them to use them for neuromorphic computing. 

Q : As a female scientist what barriers have you had to overcome and who are your inspirations?

A : I know there's a dearth of female scientists all over the globe, but I have been very lucky. I had very supportive parents and they were very enthusiastic. so I do not have one, but several inspirations. So my parents, first of all, Then all my teachers that I've encountered throughout my life, and I think without them I would be nowhere. And then of course Marie Curie who won not just one but two Nobel prizes.

Q : How do you perceive the importance of choosing France in someone’s career and the field of research in general?

A : France is very welcoming to foreign students. I came here as a master's student and then I just stayed here because the scientific community is brilliant. There is cutting-edge research. And on top of that, the people here are very nice. I have no words to express how lucky I have been. And the key here is learning French helps a lot. 

Q : What messages would you like to convey to your women considering a career in science?

A : For my tiny little achievements, I would like to say that just go for it if you love science. And if you are passionate about it, don't doubt yourself. The opportunities are vast and the sky is the limit. Thank you.