The Multi-Faceted Woman: Swati Biswas Shares Journey as a Leading Researcher, Classical Dancer, and Her Favorite Holiday Traditions
“The sooner we (women) stop thinking that we are different, the better it is. I was never reminded that I need to act or think differently, because I am a woman.” Today’s woman dreamer, Swati Biswas is a Clinical researcher with a love for art. She is the Associate Director of Medical Writing at Moderna and a dedicated classical dancer. In this inspiring interview with Women Who Win, Swati reflects on her research career, her passion for dance and global art, and also shares her favorite holiday tradition! Enjoy her inspiring story!
1. You are a passionate and creative artist, and also a researcher. Tell us more about your journey.
I started receiving my training in Indian classical dance since I was four years old. Since then, dance has always been my passion. I pursued my studies in the science field. However, I have continued my training and performance throughout. I am continuing to choreograph my programs and performing solo as well as with my team at various community events. I finished my PhD in India and moved to the US for postdoctoral training. I was a Research Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University. Although I loved basic research in academia and bench work, I always felt the need to be more connected to clinical research. I decided to move to pharmaceutical industry as a Medical Writer and I am still working in that profession.
2. What inspires your interest in art? How do you seek to educate our community about different art forms? And how can the arts be used to empower women?
Because I have always enjoyed designing costumes and sets for my dance projects I was always connected with the artists and weavers. I designed a jacket in baluchori style by working closely with a baluchari weaver and a tailor. Baluchori is a type of handloom fabric that is only made in West Bengal and depicts stories of mythological origin like Ramayana and Mahabharata. During pandemic, I realized artists in rural India were suffering tremendously. Their lack of education and lack of access and skills to use modern technology prevented them from taking advantage of the online market. I slowly started working with them, promoted their art, initiated the virtual workshop idea with the artists joining from India to teach different art forms and have organized several workshops with artists across India in last two years. Not only did this effort helped them financially, but it helped with reaching their various artforms to different corners of the world. Some of the artists, including young and women artists, were able to sale their artwork to different places in the US and Italy.
3. Tell us more about your professional journey in research. What excites you about the research space? Do you see more women going into scientific research?
I did my PhD in Cancer Biology and pursued my postdoctoral training in the same field, published 20 papers and now continuing to support clinical research as a medical writer.
I see many women in the field of Biology and yes, why not? Women are not a different species, they have the intellect, brain, will power and passion. The sooner we (women) stop thinking that we are different, the better it is. I see capable women all around me, and in my family and after I got married, I was never reminded that I need to act or think differently, because I am a woman.
4. With the holidays coming up, what is your favorite holiday tradition?
As immigrants living in the US, we decorate a Christmas tree every year, watch Christmas movies and of course participate in food, toy drives etc. These are our holiday traditions. This year, I worked with the artists to design a Christmas ornament which especially represent a dhoti wearing Santa Claus that is inspired by being an immigrant in this country.
Thank you Swati for sharing your inspiring story with us. We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
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