I grew up in the Indian state of West Bengal, known for its rich cultural and intellectual heritage. I was born and raised in the town of Asansol, about 250 km from Kolkata, the state capital. My first name can be loosely translated as "to flourish". My last name, Bandyopadhyay, is the aboriginal form of the more popular, anglicized Banerjee.
Outside of my research, I like reading books, watching movies, catching up with friends and family, enjoying good food, and getting plenty of sleep.