My passion for science extends beyond the laboratory, and I actively seek opportunities to share knowledge, foster scientific curiosity, and contribute to the academic community. I have been involved in a variety of outreach programs, conferences, and biodiversity initiatives, consistently taking on roles that involve communication, organization, and expertise.

Conference and Workshop Organisation

I have actively contributed to the planning and execution of various academic and outreach events, often taking on leadership responsibilities.

• Organizing Member, "Understanding Behaviour, 2023" (IISER Kolkata): Served as a core team member, managing transportation and hospitality for conference guests and participants. I also led the photography team to document the event.

• Organizing Member, "Evo-Bio 2023": Coordinated a significant outreach event for rural high school teachers and students in Jharkhand and West Bengal. This involved organizing a workshop with evolutionary biologists, student demonstrations, public exhibitions, prize distribution, and an educational excursion. My responsibilities included leading transportation arrangements and managing the photography team.

• Student Volunteer, "Understanding Behaviour, 2019" (IISER Kolkata): Assisted with critical hall management and supported the audio-visual team during the conference.

• Student Volunteer, "Leadership for Academicians Program" (IISER Kolkata, 2020): Contributed to the program's design team and provided photographs of campus species for delegate mementos

Science Communication and Public Engagement

• Co-author & Designer, Butterfly Story Brochure (IISER Kolkata, 2025): Co-developed “An Autumn Morning and Tinni’s Secret Friend” (Wiki Loves Butterfly); authored English version and designed bilingual (English–Bengali) brochure illustrating butterfly life cycle and conservation themes for school outreach during Open Day. - View the brochure below in the 'Outreach Materials for Students section'.

• National Science Day Talk (2023): Delivered an engaging presentation on the principles of evolution to students (classes 9-12) at Dubra Kalipada Vidyamandir (H.S), Nadia, West Bengal, sparking their interest in scientific concepts.

• Darwin Day Volunteer (2024): Assisted with a public lecture on evolution and supported popular science talks aimed at students from local schools.

• IISER Kolkata Representative at 8th Indian National Exhibition - Cum - Fair (2023) & Kalyani Utsav Volunteer (2022, 2021): Demonstrated fascinating biological facts and engaged with general audiences and school students, promoting interest in the biological sciences.

IISER Kolkata Nature Club Activities

My involvement with the IISER Kolkata Nature Club has been a significant part of my campus life, allowing me to share my passion for nature and contribute to biodiversity awareness. I am currently a core member and previously had the privilege of serving as the Convenor of the Nature Club from 2021 to 2022.

• • Institute Open Days (2024): As a core nature club member, I conducted nature quizzes, "Know Your Native Leaf" activities, and awareness campaigns about campus snakes. I also engaged attendees with interactive activities like "Draw Your Favorite Species" and discussed behavioural ecology research.

  • Nature Club Convenor & Organizer, Institute Open Day (IISER Kolkata, 2022): In my role as Nature Club Convenor (2021-2022), I spearheaded the creation of a campus biodiversity booklet, designed posters of common birds and butterflies, and developed species-themed stickers and badges. I also organized a quiz and a "Draw a Species from the Campus" activity for visitors.- View the booklet below in the 'Outreach Materials for Students section'.

Biodiversity & Ecological Activities

• Collaborating with IISER Kolkata (2025-) on the development of a campus butterfly garden.

• Resource Person, Butterfly Walk (IISER Kolkata, 2024): As a member of the Wiki Loves Butterfly project, I led a guided photo walk for students and faculty, sharing insights into butterfly identification, ecology, and conservation on the IISER Kolkata campus.

• Webinar Presenter (2020): Delivered national webinars on topics including "Butterfly Food Preferences" for Big Butterfly Month (organized by Wiki Loves Butterfly) and a presentation on butterfly taxonomy for a course by ACT for Butterflies.

• Biodiversity Expert, 'Know Nature: Local to Global' Project (Garden High School & IISER Kolkata, 2023): Collaborated with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA, to engage high school students with local biodiversity. I led nature walks focusing on birds, butterflies, and odonates, and guided students in preparing observation reports.

Extracurricular Activities 

• Nature Photography & Citizen Science: Wildlife (macro: butterflies, mushrooms) photographer; contributor to iNaturalist & www.ifoundbutterflies.org. Participated in North East Butterfly Meet: Assam (2014,2015), Sikkim (2016), Arunachal (2020)

• Wikimedia Contributor: Member of the Wiki Loves Butterfly project since 2020, actively contributing to documenting butterfly biodiversity.

o   Contributed over 500 high-quality butterfly photographs to Wikimedia Commons.

o   Led Wikimedia funded butterfly expeditions in forests and national parks of India (West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh).

o   Contributed photographs of heritage buildings and monuments to Wikimedia Commons.

• Archaeological Expeditions (West Bengal): Participated in expeditions (North 24 Parganas & Nadia) tracing Gupta, Pal, and Sen dynasties. Contributed to the discovery of two amphorae and artifacts (Debalgarh Archaeological Museum, Nadia, India).