Broadening Horizons: My Experience at the IIT Bombay International Summer School

By Jose Cachay

One of the most rewarding experiences during my PhD was attending the International Summer School at IIT Bombay. It had not been part of my original plans, but I had decided to apply, and I am very glad that I did. Looking back, it became much more than an academic course. It was an opportunity to experience a different research environment, meet people from around the world, and gain new perspectives that I can bring into my own research.

Mumbai immediately left an impression on me. As a vibrant coastal city, it offered a unique blend of modern life, culture, and history. The IIT Bombay campus was unlike any university I had visited before. Monkeys were a common sight, often wandering around the campus, and we had even been advised that leopards occasionally roam through parts of the area. It was fascinating to see how closely wildlife and university life coexist.

The programme brought together students and researchers from many different countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, and several others. Beyond the lectures, some of the most valuable moments came from informal conversations, where we exchanged ideas, discussed our research, and learned about different scientific perspectives.

One of the highlights of the experience was meeting Professor Saini and Professor Wingakar, whose work focuses on systems biology, metabolomics, and metabolic engineering. I had the opportunity to discuss aspects of my PhD with them and received valuable feedback and several new ideas. In particular, we explored how evolutionary theories of epistasis could be applied to the development of microbial consortia, and they introduced me to metabolic flux analysis (MFA) as a powerful tool for metabolic engineering. These discussions gave me fresh perspectives that I hope to explore further in my own research.

The programme also introduced me to machine learning and its growing applications in biological research. Although this is outside the main focus of my PhD, it encouraged me to think more broadly about how computational approaches can complement experimental biology. Outside the classroom, I also had the opportunity to visit the remarkable Elephanta Island Caves. Exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site and learning about its history was a memorable experience and a wonderful way to appreciate India's rich cultural heritage.

Looking back, this experience reminded me that some of the greatest opportunities during a PhD come from stepping outside our comfort zone. Whether through learning a new methodology, building an international network, or experiencing a different culture, these opportunities broaden our horizons in ways that are difficult to anticipate. I would encourage every PhD student to take advantage of summer schools, workshops, and international exchanges whenever possible. You never know where a single application might lead.