Ruchira Chatterjee

Ruchira joined Berkeley Lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2013 after earning my PhD in chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2012. My research uses time resolved X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy to understand the chemistry of water oxidation in plants, algae and cyanobateria.

What inspires you to work in STEM or operations?

Somewhere between solving puzzles and learning science, I realized that using science to solve some unanswered problems would be fun. Discovery and learning. Science for me also brings with it a sense of purpose in the uncertain world we live in today.

What excites you about your work at Berkeley Lab?

The complexity of the problems I can work on here and the extensive collaborations that help us work towards the goal.

How can our country engage more women, girls, and members of other underrepresented groups in STEM or operations?

We should start engaging girls from all backgrounds when they are young (middle school or maybe younger). Make science accessible and relatable so that it feels within reach for everyone.

Do you have tips you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

To persevere and not take failures personally or be afraid of them.

When you have free time, what are your hobbies?

I like to try new cuisines, being outside, researching about new places that I hope to visit someday!