STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Becoming a researcher has always been a dream of mine. Having been brought up in an educated and secure
family, I have been blessed to have parents who instilled me with good values and principles. Science has always
been a fascination to me from my childhood. The articles about late-breaking discoveries and research in the field
of Biology intensified my interests in science. My passion for science coupled with relentless hard work and self-
confidence rewarded me with a quality of curiosity and research in the fascinating world of science. At the school
level though exposed to only major concepts of biology, the terms like cell, genes, tissues, microbes etc. intrigued
me a lot. I always love to acquire knowledge in different fields of science other than restricting my knowledge
in a specific field. Hence I was careful in selecting different subjects at different levels of my education. With
this determination and the awareness of enormous number of challenges, in Science and technology have made
me choose my B.Sc. (Chemistry, Zoology and Botany from St. Andrew’s College, Gorakhpur), M.Sc.
(Biotechnology from D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur) and M. Tech. (Biotechnology with
specialization in medical and nano-Biotechnology from IIT Mandi) India.

During my M.Sc. (Biotechnology), I learnt basic biotechnology, both theoretically and practically. In
addition, I worked on project to study environmental microbiology. Also I have been involved in the project to
learn the advance molecular biotechnology at CSIR-NBRI. After my experience at CSIR-NBRI as project
assistant level-2, I worked on project as a research assistant under the supervision of Professor Amita at
KGMU, UP, India. During this project, I learnt several techniques related to animal Biotechnology. After
joining M. Tech. at IIT Mandi, I selected Nano biotechnology as my area of specialization. I was proud to be
one among five successful students from entire group who got admitted for the same specialization course in
IIT Mandi. It was totally a different world to me, where I learned different advanced disciplines of Nano-
Medicine. For another one year, I worked on project entitled “Nanoformulation of hydrophobic drugs to
improve their solubility and bioavailability” under the supervision of Dr. Prem Felix Siril. During this project
work, I learnt many techniques related to synthesis, and biological application of these nanoparticles including
drug loading, controlled and selective drug release, Confocal microscopy, XTT assay etc.

During my M. Tech., I learnt about advances in Stem Cell Technology like iPSC generation, genome
editing of stem cells, controlled differentiation and their clinical applications. This field of medical
biotechnology hypnotized me to the bottom of my interest and I decided that I will pursue my further research
in the same field. I think that development of a non-integrative vector and a non-tumorigenic technique for
iPSC generation will be a great approach for the treatment of several genetic as well as non- genetic diseases.

Molecular biology is another area that fascinates me and I believe that it is not just a tool that benefits an
individual, but also the entire community and society at large. I have read a lot about the recent researches in
the field of molecular biology worldwide. It is my conviction that a perfect professional is not born merely out
of reading books but also through the acquisition of knowledge from various other sources. Apart from the
world of nanotechnology and molecular biology, Ayurveda is the branch of traditional medical science that
attracted me and I believe that by combining the science of nanotechnology, Ayurveda and molecular biology,
each barrier can be crossed in therapeutic sciences. By considering this approach, I was allowed to work on
the essential oil nanoformulation for development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of disorders like
diabetes (with the collaboration of Dr. Prosenjit Mondal) and Brain cancer (with the collaboration of Dr. Neha
Garg) at IIT Mandi. The diverse research interests of the faculty in the School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi,
especially the projects of Dr. Amit Jaiswal, Dr. Neha Garg, DR. Jaspreet Kaur Randhawa and Dr. Prosenjit
Mondal, cannot go without saying and really looking forward to be a part of it.

All the projects and education played a key role in increasing my confidence and helping me to
understand various concepts in science and to mould my research interests. Hence I believe that I have qualities
and perseverance of a good researcher. Hence I extend my hopes to study at this one of the most renowned
institute for further research, which I am, sure, will be the most logical extension of my academic pursuits and
a major step towards achieving my objectives. I am a stern believer of attitude, quality, and hard work. I
promise to attain meteoric heights and bring glory to your institution, if I am given a chance.

Thank You Name: Pawan Kumar Pandey

Email: pawankumarpandey1103@gmail.com