What is your previous work experience?
I worked with WWF-India on community engagement and human wildlife conflict management in the Terai arc landscape. The work focused on engaging forest dependent communities in alternate energy access, prevention of incidents of crop raiding and livestock depredation by wild animals through technological interventions and reduction of economic costs of such incidents through government and other ex-gratia mechanisms.

Why did you choose the Nicholas School?
The MEM program at the Nicholas School is one of the best in the world to learn the skills required to grow and contribute better in the conservation sector. The program has a well structured curriculum that enables optimizing the two years time and provides an opportunity to learn from some of the most distinguished faculty members.

Do you have any areas of interest or special focus you will undertake during your time at the Nicholas School?
I want to focus on human dimensions of wildlife management pertaining to human wildlife conflict

What are you looking forward to as a new Nicholas School student?
I am looking forward to develop robust research skills that I have been aspiring to for so long. In addition to that, being a Nicholas school student has given me an opportunity to study with and eclectic mix of students from various social and cultural backgrounds and geographical regions in the world that would help me enhance my understanding of those new contexts.

What future plans do you have for your career after the Nicholas School?
I want to get back to India and contribute to conservation back home in a much larger way than before after getting exposure to new socio-ecological systems here.

Personal thanks:
I am extremely grateful for the financial award given to me by the Nicholas school, without which this dream of moving across the world to study would not have been possible. Supporting and nurturing dreams of access to the best learning opportunities is a truly noble idea and hope more and more students that deserve this kindness be able to access it in future. Thank you!