Meyanungsang is currently pursuing his PhD in Chemistry and Bimolecular Science at Macquarie University, Sydney. In a face to face interview with Kuknalim.coms’ Sanchobeny Murry, he shares about his PhD research in Australia, his experiences and invaluable advice to young Nagas.
Kuknalim.com: Briefly tell us about your educational and career background.
Meyanungsang: My entire schooling was done from Mokokchung, Blue Hill English school ,Children English school and Edith Douglas school, a year in St John school, Dimapur, Nagaland. Pre- University from Kohima Science College and after graduation in B.Sc (Zoology honours) from Kohima Science College , Jotsoma, Nagaland, I earned the All India Combined Bio-technology scholarship, that enabled me for Masters in Marine Biotechnology from Goa University.
I had experienced the opportunities of teaching undergraduates of St. Joseph’s College in Bangalore, immediately after post graduation through NET.(National Eligibility Test for Lectureship)
In 2006 I was selected for the iMURS, (international Macquarie Postgraduate Research Scholarship) for PhD from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. I am currently doing PhD in Chemistry and Biomolecular Science.
Kuknalim.com: What initiated your interest in this area and how did you eventually choose this area for your career?
Meyanungsang: I think motivation to acquire more practical knowledge made me to think of pursuing higher studies.
But there were few people I would give credit to, a good friend of mine Merenjungla, who is pursuing her PhD from Nagaland University, for advising me to take up chemistry in B.sc. My dearest Vime Shuya for her constant support and encouragement during my rigorous admission process. And also with significant encouragement from my colleagues at St Joseph College, Bangalore, and Prof. Charles Suresh and Prof. P.S. Rao for their recommendation.
Kuknalim.com: What is your research based on?
Meyanungsang: My research will be based on the medicinal plants of Nagaland. A collaborative project is underway between Macquarie University, Sydney, and Chungtia Senso Mokokchung Town, Nagaland, to preserve the ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants of Chungtia village. This ethnobotanical information will be documented in databases. Plants of perceived medicinal value will be screened and analyzed for novel compounds/drugs for antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory activity through bioassay guided isolation. All the information will be owned by the participating village.
Kuknalim.com: What is the importance of Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology in the future?
Meyanungsang: Biotechnology is an applied science that uses every field of science including chemistry and biology for developing new tools to improve the future of mankind.
Within a Span of few years, the technology will be ripe for Stem cell, gene therapy, ageing, cloning, which may hold promise for effective treatments or may even cure diseases like cancer and AIDS. It also has applications in developing disease and herbicide resistant crops, disease resistant animals, recombinant organisms to produce new vaccines and therapeutic proteins.
The development of biochips is a major thrust of the rapidly growing biotechnology industry. In future, biochip implants in the body could deliver precise amounts of drugs to affect heart rate and hormone secretion or to control artificial limbs.
Therefore, whatever the future holds, biotechnology will be an important science of the coming century.
Kuknalim.com: What are your plans after you complete your PhD?
Meyanungsang: One of my long term goals is to set up a research laboratory of natural product chemistry in Nagaland. After PhD, I would prefer doing post doctoral studies for some more years before heading back to Nagaland.
Kuknalim.com: Out of your experiences in Sydney, what has made the biggest impression on you?
Meyanungsang: I remember the first bus trip to Macquarie University. People here are very helpful and well mannered. Everything here is well organized. Its very impressive!
Kuknalim.com: Any other impressions on Sydney life?
Meyanungsang: Australia has fantastic roads when compared to Nagaland! Australians are also polite. The Australian way of life is a bit laid back but a comfortable atmosphere to live in. Aussies generally love sports. I am amazed at how HUGE Sydney is. Some parts of Australia have hills and when I drive past those areas it reminds me of Nagaland and gets me homesick!
Kuknalim.com: Tell us few interesting facts about yourself:
Family
Meyanungsang: I am originally from Chungtia village, Mokokchung. My father works for the PHED, Govt. of Nagaland and my mother is a house wife. I have an elder sister, a younger brother and two younger sisters.
Favorite activities/hobbies
Meyanungsang: Outdoor activities, table tennis, motorcycling, cricket, badminton, and watching movies for relaxation and music too.
Favorite places you have traveled
Meyanungsang: A visit to Nagaland is always my favorite. I have not completely toured Nagaland yet, so I am certain there will be more on my list.
Favorite book/Movie
Meyanungsang: I’m not much of a book lover except for some few (compelled) text books! But I do enjoy some novels like, by Sidney Sheldon. So it’s only once in a beautiful blue moon! I just love watching movies of excellent scripts and acting. Some of my all time favorites are, Beautiful mind, the house of sand and fog, before sunrise, a walk in the clouds, Heaven and earth and many more…
Most fun/adventurous thing you’ve ever done
Meyanungsang: The entire month of January 2007 was spent in Nagaland. We went fishing, had picnics and most of time spent in the village. It could be the best moments of my life.
The last few days in India were of memorable ones. The final days of my stay in Bangalore, the farewells from my loving students and friends and the train journey to Nagaland. I also had a great time through a get together with my valuable friends and also with my entire relatives just before leaving India.
Kuknalim.com: Do you have any message for the youth of Nagaland and Nagas in India?
Meyanungsang: The advancement of Science and Technology is the key for economic development. Naga students need to take up the challenge of focusing in the areas of science in their curriculum. In my experience, I have learned that a mere first degree is not sufficient to give us the necessary qualifications to be a “skilled workforce”. I would encourage Nagas to take this to the next level and acquire “real” skills through research (PhD). Furthermore, we must make use of these acquired skills to contribute back to our community and uplift our Naga economy.
I also would strongly urge the Naga people to preserve our rich knowledge of languages, folksongs and folkdances. For centuries, it has been passed on from generations to generations through oral communication and at the present scenario; it is under threat because of the westernization of Nagaland through “MTV culture”. It is a shameful act to dormant the identity of our forefathers and follow someone else “identity”. And it is implicit to use “westernizing unashamedly” which was quoted in one of the leading online website while defining Nagaland. Our cultures must be nurtured vis-à-vis the modernization of Nagaland, only then it will withstand the depredation of globalization, when the developing world is particularly at risk.
Kuknalim.com: As a visitor of Kuknalim.com, What does Kuknalim.com mean to you?
Meyanungsang: I am a regular visitor of Kuknalim for the past 5 years. It is informative and a powerful platform especially for the Naga youths to share their views and opinions. This kind of platform will eventually shape the future of Nagaland. My appreciation and gratitude to the creator of Kuknalim and to all the volunteers for their determined efforts in maintaining the website. It is more of an official website for the Nagas!
Meyanungsang Kichu can be contacted at: meyanung@cbms.mq.edu.au
Source: Kuknalim.com
