Currently
working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at Chowgule
College, and also heading the Genetic division of the post graduate department
at ‘Chowgule’s Human Genetic Research Lab’ on the campus, Dr Nandini Vaz
Fernandes has been lauded as ‘one of the student’s own’. Besides being on
various college committees, she is actively involved in research at Human Genetic
Research Lab. Current research work includes DNA damage studies of alcohol,
breast cancer, autism, environmental genetic toxicology, cytogenetic studies of
pregnancy losses, infertility and leukemia.
Speaking
about her journey from her post-graduation onwards, the good doctor says, “I
started my career as a lecturer at Government College Quepem on lecture basis.
Thereafter, I worked at Carmel College, Chowgule College and also conducted
practicals in human genetics for PG students of Goa University. After
completion of my PhD, I worked as a geneticist at a genetic hospital in Mumbai.
People who influenced me in a positive way include all my teachers at Carmel
College, especially Dr Manoj Borkar who taught me the importance of seeking
perfection in what I do and be passionate about zoology, and my college
Principal Dr R V Gaonkar from whom I learnt to be patient, tactful and
systematic in administration of my lab activities. Being a faculty at Chowgule
College is a boon to those who like a challenging life as it has the best of
infrastructure and administrative support and this has helped me to experiment
and innovate in teaching-learning.”
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Dr
Vaz Fernandes sees every day as a walk to remember, not singling out one
particular moment that means more than the other. “Every day on campus is a
memorable experience. My experiences become memorable when my students ask
questions, reason out, debate issues and interact in the classroom,” she says.
Wanting
to give back to her students in the manner that she has been given, Dr Vaz
Fernandes says, “The life of a student is very challenging today. Especially
for students of nonprofessional colleges, employability is an issue bothering
many. Students should develop specific skills such as analytical skills,
problem-solving skills and thinking skills; they need to develop team-work
spirit and learn the processes of action planning, decision making and
effective time management. Interestingly enough, these skills can be acquired,
developed and improved. Students must learn to question and apply concepts to
real life situations on a regular basis. They also need to use higher order
thinking skills such as visualisation, association, abstraction, comprehension,
reasoning, analysis, synthesis and generalisation. The role of the student
should change from a passive recipient of information to a participant in the
creation of understanding. Also, remember that no matter how much you
accomplish in life, you have to always be humble in your behaviour and be open
to criticism, as criticism helps one to attain perfection.”
