STEM, Strategy, Strength: Kirthana Sindhe's Research-Based Approach To Change Lives

A life scientist, business strategist, certified fitness trainer, and life coach; Kirthana M.V. Sindhe is a multifaceted leader who seamlessly balances the pursuits of knowledge and strength. Based in Bengaluru, she is a Senior Strategy Manager at Merck Life Science, committed to bettering healthcare research. She is also a marathoner and the founder and master coach of Running Genes, a community aimed at fostering a fit and healthy lifestyle. 

Through various pursuits, be it in her profession in science or passion for fitness, Sindhe has been a catalyst in transforming lives. In an interview with SheThePeople, she spoke about her career, the challenges and opportunities of scientific research in India, and her journey in health and fitness.

Excerpt From Interview

Please tell us about yourself. Where are you from, what’s your educational background, and what was your upbringing like?

I hail from Mysuru and my educational background includes Engineering in Biotechnology from SJCE Mysuru along with an MTech degree from VIT Vellore and PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru. I belonged to a middle-class family and grew up in a close-knit setup where education, moral values, and self-reliance were deeply instilled within me. 

For the values that was inculcated in me, I give credit to my grandmother who greatly participated in India’s freedom movement from the British rules. The credit goes to her for influencing me to pursue higher education, to be independent and create a self-worth. She deeply engraved core values in me such as self- discipline, kindness and staying grounded.

What was it like growing up as a young girl passionate about science? Was there a particular moment when you knew you wanted to pursue a career in the field?

As a young girl, I developed an interest in science, as I used to participate in science exhibitions, and read about eminent scientists of the world. It inspired me to pursue science and innovation when I grew up. When I was pursuing my intermediate, my interest developed into Biology practical. Further, when I was pursuing my MTech at IISc there was a particular moment during one of my projects when I got deeply connected to science and decided to pursue my career in Life science.

What are some of the developments in science that you are particularly interested in? 

I am interested in precision medicine, genomics, cancer immunotherapy and point-of-care diagnostics, all of which are contributing to treatment advancements and better patient care.

According to you, how promising are the opportunities and resources in India for aspiring professionals in STEM?

India presents numerous promising opportunities and resources for aspiring professionals in STEM fields, thanks to the country’s growing emphasis on innovation, research, and development. I would like to highlight a few important ones- The emerging sector of Biotechnology and Healthcare, Government initiatives, funding opportunities, research-intensive academic institutes, startup ecosystems and incubators.

Compared to when you got into the field, how do you think the scenario has changed for women in STEM in India? Are there still any gender disparities or hindrances that need attention?

The current scenario for women in STEM in India reflects both progress and ongoing challenges. While there has been a significant increase in the participation of women in STEM fields over the years, gender disparities and hindrances still exist, particularly in terms of career advancement, leadership positions, and societal expectations.

The good news is that women now constitute about 43% of STEM graduates in India, one of the highest in the world.

Though various government initiatives and workplace policies are favourable for women, she still faces hindrances such as a lack of mentorship and opportunities, work-life balance and workplace safety.

Can you share when and how your fitness journey started? What inspired you to encourage and coach others in their health goals?

My fitness journey began during my postpartum period after I delivered my baby boy who is now 10 years old. This is the phase where most women undergo depression and face low self-esteem due to several changes in their body and expectations from family to balance their career and family.

Additionally, I was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, it was an alarm to pay attention to my health and fitness. So, with that fear and concern, I started with tiny steps of walking for 30 minutes, which turned me into a marathon runner and a fitness coach to inspire and help others to adopt healthy lifestyles. 

Other than physical lifestyle changes, how did you mentally train yourself to sustainably achieve your fitness goals? Were there any health myths - especially about women’s health - you had to unlearn?

I had to train my mind for a 5 am discipline that included waking up every morning and having a fixed routine which could help me stay energised throughout the day. Also, since I got into marathon running, I needed both physical and mental training to conquer huge miles. Habit was created in the process which was very rewarding and made it a very sustainable journey. 

I had three health myths- Lifting weight makes women bulky, you must eat for two during pregnancy, and women should avoid exercise during menstruation.

As I strongly pursued my journey as a marathon runner, I did break free from all these myths as I needed to lift weights to gain muscle strength to improve my performance. Secondly, one needs to have a maintained balanced diet during pregnancy than overeating. Lastly, I can totally do any workouts during menstruation and many times I have run my 42km marathon race even on the first day of my menstruation. 

Why must women pay more attention to hormonal and bodily changes to plan their workouts and nutritional needs more effectively?

Women must pay more attention to hormonal and bodily changes to plan their workouts and nutritional needs more effectively because hormonal fluctuations during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can significantly impact their energy levels, metabolism, mood, and physical performance.

Tailoring workouts and nutrition to these changes helps women optimize their health, fitness progress, and well-being. It is important to make informed decisions about their fitness and nutrition, ensuring they work with their body rather than against it, leading to better physical, mental, and emotional outcomes.