Empowering through mentorship: The journey of women in interdisciplinary science

In this backstory, we feature four remarkable women in science who have collaborated with Prof. Arun Venkatnathan (referred to in this piece as Prof. Arun) from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Pune at various stages of their careers and reflect on the importance of mentorship to foster interdisciplinary thinking. In his career, Prof. Arun has advocated for the importance of gender diversity and women empowerment and has incorporated this work into the development of his research program. This piece highlights the pivotal role of skilled mentorship as the cornerstone of a successful scientific career. The interview delves into how mentorship is essential in building scientists’ confidence and fostering an environment of mutual respect. This supportive atmosphere encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking, helping researchers navigate the challenges of cross-disciplinary communication and acquire new skills. Ultimately, success in interdisciplinary research demands motivation, continuous learning, unwavering passion, and encouragement.