Biotechnology, Sustainability, and Startups: Krisha Shah’s Journey at IIT Bombay

Krisha Shah: Hello, Jithin! I am Krisha Shah, and I hail from a small town in Gujarat called Khambat. I did my Bachelor's in Biotechnology from RJ College, University of Mumbai, and am currently pursuing my master's in Biotechnology from IIT Bombay. I am passionate about biotechnology, healthcare, and sustainable energy. Moreover, I am very resilient and driven when it comes to bridging the gap between science and creating innovative and sustainable solutions.

Krisha Shah: My current career plans mostly revolve around biotechnology and healthcare-related consulting. I feel that many initiatives and startups are emerging in India, especially after COVID-19. However, the problem is that sometimes you start something, and there is no one to help you take it forward. That’s what inspired me to take up Biotechnology as a subject. I have always been passionate about eco-sustainable solutions and advancements in human health, with biotechnology at the center. Hence, pursuing a master’s in Biotechnology was the right option for me. 

Krisha Shah: The fact that biotechnology offers endless potential to solve real-world problems—from improving healthcare through innovative treatments and improved diagnostics to creating sustainable solutions for energy, agriculture, and environmental challenges—keeps me motivated in this field. I have worked in areas like bioremediation and cyanobacterial biotechnology as part of my internship, where I was exposed to these concepts. I realized that this is the space that truly ignites my curiosity. Overall, the interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology really captures my attention, along with the new technologies being developed, the novel ways of solving problems, and the inspiring perspectives of people around me. Everything about it motivates me to continue in this field.

Krisha Shah: During my undergraduate years, I couldn't have imagined the kind of opportunities that are available here at IIT Bombay. Bachelor's students often take more advantage of these opportunities and sometimes have more options than those pursuing master's degrees. However, once you get here, if you have the right mindset, you can join clubs and teams and seize the opportunities you've always dreamed of. Along with academics, you are encouraged to dedicate yourself to something you are passionate about. For instance, if you are interested in sustainability, we have the Sustainability Club and ‘Team Zero Waste,’ of which I am a part. If you are interested in consulting, there is the Consult Club and ShARE (network). If you show enough enthusiasm and willingness to participate, you can always join such clubs. So, I think having the right mindset is what makes IIT Bombay special. Over here, every event is conducted by students, and everything that happens is because of the collective efforts of students. That is the environment you are exposed to once you get here.

Krisha Shah: I worked in the lab of Dr. Datta Madamwar at P. D. Patel Institute of Applied Sciences (Charusat University). His lab primarily focuses on environmental biotechnology, specifically microbial bioremediation and cyanobacterial biotechnology. The main goal was to develop eco-friendly technological solutions to prevent hazardous industrial water contamination and explore the fractionation and therapeutic applications of phycobiliproteins derived from cyanobacteria. We tested whether three types of cyanobacteria—Lyngbya, Nostoc, and Alosoria—could serve these purposes. We treated industrial water samples with these cyanobacteria and observed waste reduction over time. Essentially, we did not provide any additional nutrition sources apart from the industrial water. Our primary objective was to study how they contributed to waste reduction, followed by exploring the commercial applications of phycobiliproteins and extracting biofuels from the processed biomass. Although my contributions were limited, I learned a great deal about cyanobacterial biotechnology.

Krisha Shah: Not exactly in sustainable energy, but I am working on waste management practices and policy enhancement. Currently, I am involved in a project through ‘Team Zero Waste,’ a tech team where I serve as a policy and research associate. We are planning to conduct a life cycle analysis of waste management via three channels—biogas, landfilling, and composting—to determine the most efficient waste disposal method. We will assess the capacity of each method and develop a strategy to optimize waste distribution. As of now, we have submitted our proposal and are awaiting confirmation from the authorities. In the meantime, we are conducting research on the topic.

Krisha Shah: Currently, this is an IIT Bombay-wide project with two major bodies involved: our tech team, 'Team Zero Waste,' and ‘GESH IIT Bombay.’ At the moment, no other IITs or institutions are involved. However, we are drawing inspiration from other institutions, colleges, and societies that have adopted effective waste management practices. The project spans an entire semester, approximately four months, and is set to conclude one week before our end-semester examinations. We are currently awaiting confirmation from GESH.

Krisha Shah: I am not aware of any explicit industry connections, but high-quality research is definitely being conducted at IIT Bombay. We have a standalone center called KCDH, dedicated to research and public health. Along with scientific research, the center also focuses on policymaking and data analysis. Every essential aspect required for implementing advancements in the healthcare industry is being explored here.

For consulting, leadership skills are essential, and IIT Bombay fosters such skills since students manage almost everything. While the environment is conducive, it ultimately depends on the individual—how much they explore opportunities, approach professors for projects, and engage in initiatives like the one I am involved in with ‘Team Zero Waste.’ So yes, if you are interested in consulting—whether in healthcare, biotechnology, or any other field—there are ample opportunities.

Krisha Shah: IIT Bombay’s startup culture is thriving, and I would say the reasons for this include a strong entrepreneurship cell and pre-incubation programs. Moreover, many competitions are organized by the Entrepreneurship and Business Cell (which operates under the E-Cell of IIT Bombay) to instill a startup culture among freshers, both undergraduate and postgraduate. Apart from that, we also have SINE IITB, the ‘Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,’ which helps nurture various startups.

Overall, there are plenty of opportunities, funding, support, and guidance available. If you actively seek the right opportunities, you can receive personalized mentorship from experienced professionals. I believe that is why IITB has such a strong startup culture. Another contributing factor is the people around you—many do not want to settle for a conventional job. Taking advantage of the opportunities available here will benefit them in the future as well. Personally, I can take up a job, and later, when I reach a certain position, everything I have learned and leveraged at IITB will aid me in the future.

Krisha Shah: Definitely! I am inclined towards health-tech-related startups. Despite numerous government initiatives, there is still a long way to go before we achieve the level of healthcare services that developed countries provide to their citizens. I believe that the startup wave we are witnessing in India needs to extend to the health sector as well, allowing various technologies and policies to be implemented as soon as possible. This will likely be a major focus area in the future.

Advancements in cloud technology, AI (Artificial Intelligence), ML (Machine Learning), and other emerging technologies, when leveraged in the healthcare sector, will certainly create lucrative startups that can eventually grow into successful companies that benefit society.

I have been part of a project called 'AI in Public Health.' We are a team of five people working together to publish a white paper, which is currently in progress. Apart from that, I am also interning at a consulting firm that is working with a client who runs a startup in the health-tech space.

Krisha Shah: My main message to students is to start thinking about where they see themselves in the future—whether as researchers, professors, employees in a biotech company, or professionals in a non-core sector. That should be enough to guide their decisions. Take time to reflect, clear your mind, decide what you want to do, and be honest with yourself.

Biotechnology is a field where you must be sincere; you cannot afford to be delusional. That would be my biggest piece of advice.