Science, Stories & Zines: Aditya Undru on Making Science Relatable | Career Konnect
🔹 Guest: Aditya Undru (Science Writer, Neuroscientist) 🔹 Host: Sarah Wettstadt
Welcome to another episode of Career Konnect, where we explore the journeys of professionals in science communication! In this episode, our host Sarah Wettstadt chats with Aditya Undru, a science writer with a PhD in neuroscience. Aditya shares his unconventional path into science communication, his passion for storytelling, and how he uses different formats like science journalism, Zine workshops, and outreach initiatives to make science accessible. Tune in to learn more about his journey, inspirations, and aspirations in the world of science writing.
🔹 Key topics covered:
✅ Transition from neuroscience research to science communication
✅ Passion for storytelling and popular science writing
✅ Role of community-driven writing clubs
✅ The impact of Zine workshops in science outreach
🚀 If you’re a PhD or graduate student looking to transition into the scicomm industry, this conversation is packed with valuable insights!
Zines: https://scitales.ccmb.res.in/category/all/zines/
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If you’re seeking guidance on science communication careers and job opportunities, feel free to reach out to scikonnect@gmail.com. We’re happy to connect you with the right resources and partners to help you navigate your journey in scicomm.
GIST:
Aditya Undru, a neuroscientist-turned-science writer, shares how he discovered his passion for science communication. Initially unfamiliar with the field, his interest grew through a love for storytelling and an aversion to traditional academic writing. He highlights his experiences working with the SciTales platform at CCMB, attending science journalism workshops, and exploring creative writing through a decade-old writing club. Aditya also introduces Zine workshops as an innovative and accessible way to communicate science to the public. Ultimately, he aspires to blend research and storytelling, much like Carl Sagan, to make science engaging and relatable.
Full Interview:
Sarah Wettstadt: Hello and welcome to another Career Konnect science communication interview. Today, I have with me Aditya Undru, a science writer with a PhD in neuroscience, where he worked with zebrafish and hypoxic stress. Hello, Aditya!
Q1: Before we dive into your science communication journey, can you tell us how you first got interested in science communication?
There isn’t a direct answer to that. I’ve always been interested in science, but I didn’t even know that science communication as a field existed.
Before I started my PhD, while working at IGIB, I used to think that if I had my own lab, I’d hire a PR representative because I didn’t realize that what they do also falls under science communication. Over time, I developed a love for storytelling, writing stories and poems, and I thought merging these interests with science was a great idea.
Honestly, I’ve never been great at academic writing. The jargon, the structured format—it never felt natural to me. But writing for non-scientific audiences, for children, and storytelling comes naturally. That’s one of the main reasons I shifted to science communication.
Q2: Now that you actively engage in science communication, what drives your passion?
I ultimately want to be an author, a science fiction writer. But beyond that, I genuinely love sharing scientific knowledge with people. Growing up in Hyderabad, I found it strange that so few people knew what was happening at CCMB, despite it being a prominent research institute in the city. I felt that the local community should at least be aware of the research taking place around them. I don’t have grand ambitions, but I’d love to be like Carl Sagan—someone who both researches and writes about science.
Q3: Once you realized your passion, how did you start your journey in science communication?
I didn’t have a structured plan at first. I just wrote stories in my free time. Fortunately, CCMB has a science communication officer, Somdatta, who mentored me when I approached her. I started writing for our institute’s popular science platform, SciTales, and attended workshops on science journalism and storytelling. Over time, I felt comfortable in this space. Even though I’m still finding my niche, I enjoy writing journalistic pieces and organizing science meetups.
Q4: You’re also part of a writing club, right? What’s its purpose?
Yes! The Write Club has been running for almost 10 years now. It began in 2015 as a group of writers who wanted to improve their skills by giving each other feedback—sometimes brutally honest feedback! None of us are professional writers, but we all love reading and writing. We meet biweekly, have different hosts for each session, and engage in dedicated writing and feedback discussions.
Over time, many spin-off groups emerged from our club—some focused on writing in Telugu, others on parallel cinema or Palestinian literature. It’s become more than just a writing club; it’s a community that allows us to explore various creative pursuits.
Q5: You also mentioned Zine workshops. What are those, and how did you get involved?
I hadn’t heard of Zines before attending my first workshop. Zines originated as an alternative publishing method, particularly among marginalized communities. In science, they are used as informal, easily reproducible booklets to communicate research.
For example, I created a Zine explaining my research, which I distributed at conferences. This format is visually engaging and easy for the public to understand. I love how Zines make science more accessible and creative.
Zines: https://scitales.ccmb.res.in/category/all/zines/
Q6: That’s such a creative approach to science communication! Lastly, how does your research influence your work in science communication?
My neuroscience and bioinformatics background helps me understand biological research deeply, but I don’t limit myself to neuroscience. I write about various biological topics, work with Superheroes Against Superbugs to raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance, and organize outreach events. We mainly focus on children, helping clear misconceptions about animals and science.
Sarah: That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Aditya. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve blended storytelling, writing, and science to create meaningful communication.
That brings us to the end of this insightful conversation. Thank you, Aditya, for sharing your journey and valuable advice with us. We hope this discussion helps our audience gain clarity and inspiration for their own careers. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to BioPatrika for more Career Konnect stories. See you in the next episode!
If you’re seeking guidance on science communication careers and job opportunities, feel free to reach out to scikonnect@gmail.com. We’re happy to connect you with the right resources and partners to help you navigate your journey in scicomm.
