Dr. Priyanka Bagade is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at IIT Kanpur. She is one of 4 women professors of the Computer Science and Engineering Department of IIT Kanpur.
Frequent relocations marked Dr. Priyanka Bagade's childhood due to her father's job. Despite facing health challenges that affected her attendance and exam performance until the fourth grade, she remained dedicated to her studies, displaying a keen interest in subjects that involved reasoning and logic.
By the fifth grade, Dr. Priyanka's health improved, sparking a renewed enthusiasm for learning. Excelling in science, she opted against a medical career due to her aversion to hospitals, stemming from her childhood experiences.
In her later years of schooling, Dr. Priyanka's fascination with electronics grew, leading her to specialize in the subject. This interest evolved into a passion for embedded systems, prompting her to pursue a degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering for her undergraduate studies. This decision reflected her commitment to exploring the complexities of embedded platforms and networks, laying the foundation for a promising career in engineering and technology.
She worked at Cognizant for a few years. Here, she began to reassess her career path. Her curiosity about programming led her to delve deeper into the field, but she soon realized that the nature of her work was more managerial and monotonous rather than technical and fulfilling. She managed a team of around 200 people and wanted a change with more direct involvement in the technical aspects of her field.
With a keen interest in advancing her knowledge and skills, she decided to pursue further education in the United States. Recognizing that embedded systems, a field she was passionate about, fell under the purview of computer science in the US, she applied for a Ph.D. program in the Computer Science Department at Arizona State University.
During her doctoral studies, she immersed herself in the healthcare sector, where her research project was funded by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a significant achievement that underscored the relevance and importance of her work. Additionally, she seized the opportunity to intern at the FDA, gaining invaluable insights into how engineers can contribute to healthcare projects. While working with ventilators, she worked on how to control and monitor them remotely. This introduced her to some more advanced mathematical concepts like Non Linear Differential Equations, which she found very interesting.
Before her work at the FDA, she dedicated 8 to 10 months of intense effort to a project involving EEG and ECG signals, putting in long hours of work each day. Despite her hard work, she didn't achieve the success she had hoped for initially. However, a valuable insight from a friend studying psychology which is a very different field sparked a new approach for her. Inspired by this new perspective from psychology, she decided to apply it to her research on EEG and ECG signals.
Previously, researchers had been using ECG signals to encrypt data. However, her innovative approach led her to break this encryption method. Recognizing the significance of her breakthrough, she filed for a patent for her new method. This experience taught her the importance of persistence in overcoming challenges and finding novel solutions.
Post her PhD, she transitioned to a role at Intel as a computer vision architect. Here, she focused on developing sensors and their applications. Joining a team that directly engaged with customers from various sectors such as healthcare, automotive, etc., she played a crucial role in solving their technical challenges. She applied the concepts she had learned throughout her education to innovate and find solutions.
During her five years at Intel, she had a positive experience with her manager. Recognizing the importance of autonomy and freedom in her work, she appreciated that her manager never pushed her into uninteresting projects. This freedom allowed her to excel and contribute effectively to her team's goals. She further realized that academia too provided the freedom for unrestrained exploration and innovation, ideal conditions for her to excel.
Despite her success at Intel, her desire to return to India remained strong. She aimed to utilize her expertise in healthcare to address specific issues faced by the Indian population like intestinal tuberculosis, which is prevalent only in India. This aspiration drove her to plan her return and contribute to solving healthcare challenges in her home country.
Dr. Priyanka Bagade's journey offers valuable advice for future students:
1. Choose Your Path wisely: Understand the significance of selecting courses that align with your interests and career aspirations during your undergraduate studies. Be deliberate in your choices and prioritize subjects that will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge for your desired career path.
2. Perseverance is Key: Don't allow setbacks or failures to deter you. Life is unpredictable, and success often requires resilience and persistence. Keep working hard, stay committed to your goals, and remain open to unexpected opportunities that may arise. Sometimes even on working very hard, you may not get expected results and may end up on the lower end of the bell curve. Do not give up at that time.
3. Maintain Humility and Kindness: Strive for success but remember to remain humble and compassionate. Treat others with respect and empathy, and prioritize genuine human connections in your personal and professional interactions.
4. Don't Let Gender Define You: Rise above societal expectations and stereotypes. Regardless of gender, focus on your abilities, talents, and passions. Embrace your identity as a human being first and foremost, and let your skills and contributions speak for themselves.
5. Seek Balance in Life: Prioritize simplicity and goodness in your life. Aim for a balanced lifestyle that encompasses personal growth, meaningful relationships, and positive contributions to society. Strive to live authentically and find fulfillment in both your professional and personal endeavors.
Dr. Priyanka Bagade's journey was supported by a strong network of family, mentors, and colleagues who played pivotal roles in her life:
1. Parents: Her Safe Haven: She found solace and support in her parents, who served as her pillars of strength throughout her journey. Their unwavering love and guidance provided her with a sense of security and stability, allowing her to pursue her dreams with confidence.
2. In-Laws: Supportive and Understanding: She was fortunate to have in-laws who supported her endeavors wholeheartedly, without imposing traditional expectations. Their unconditional support, especially in caring for her daughter and managing household responsibilities while she pursued her career, enabled her to focus on her professional aspirations.
3. Brother: Role Model and Guide: She looked up to her brother as a role model and walked in his footsteps. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, her brother's guidance and example helped carve out a path for her success, inspiring her to persevere and overcome obstacles.
4. Husband: A Constant Companion: Her husband stood by her side through thick and thin, offering unwavering support and encouragement. His presence provided her with strength and reassurance, empowering her to navigate the ups and downs of her journey with resilience and determination.
5. PhD Advisor: Fostering Independence: Her PhD advisor played a crucial role in shaping her academic journey. Under his mentorship, she gained the confidence and independence needed to thrive in the world of academia, laying the foundation for her future success.
6. Intel Manager: Championing Freedom and Trust: Her manager at Intel exemplified effective leadership by championing freedom and trust in the workplace. His hands-off approach and belief in her abilities allowed her to flourish, fostering an environment where she could thrive and innovate without unnecessary micromanagement.