Motivation in the Lab with Indrani Mukherjee – The Starlab Deep Dive #4 

Motivation in the Lab: Why Curiosity Still Drives Great Science

In this episode of The Starlab Deep Dive, we meet Indrani Mukherjee, a PhD researcher at the University of Göttingen whose story is a reminder that real science is as much about persistence and purpose as it is about pipettes.

From an early interest in medicine to uncovering the secrets of mitochondria, Indrani shares her journey, the highs and lows of life in the lab, and why curiosity might be the most underrated skill in science.

A Face in the Crowd—And a Spark Behind It

Indrani first connected with Starlab through our World Laboratory Day campaign. Her selfie, along with those of researchers around the world, became part of a collaborative art project celebrating the people behind the bench.

The finished piece now hangs behind her desk—and serves as a daily reminder of the global community she's part of.

“It brings colour to our white space. And on difficult days, it gives me a boost to keep going,” she says.

Science as Problem Solving

Indrani's path into research started when a high school visit to a biochemistry lab shifted her ambitions from becoming a doctor to pursuing molecular biology. That moment of exposure stuck—and today, she’s deep into research on mitochondrial membrane structure.

Her focus: understanding how certain proteins shape these inner membranes, and how this knowledge could lead to new ways to target diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders.

Why Research is More Than Just Results

Life in the lab, Indrani admits, isn’t always smooth. Failed experiments, long days, and setbacks are part of the job—but so is the satisfaction of finding a result that makes sense.

“Some days it’s frustrating, but then you find an answer—or a better question—and suddenly it’s worth it.”

For her, science isn’t just about data. It’s about staying curious, solving puzzles, and contributing something meaningful to the world.

Shaping Perceptions—and the Next Generation

Indrani is keen to break the stereotype of science as dull or isolating. Her lab is a place of constant discussion, shared ideas, and unexpected discoveries.

She believes that giving students early access to lab environments—just like the one that inspired her—could transform how science is seen and spark a new wave of future researchers.

“If more schools connected with labs, more kids would realise science is creative, hands-on, and exciting.”

Sustainability Starts in the Lab

Like many researchers, Indrani is also thinking about the environmental footprint of her work. She and her colleagues take small but deliberate steps: switching to glass pipettes where possible, reducing energy usage, and making better use of resources like stacking pipette tip systems to cut down on plastic waste.

These changes are subtle, but add up—especially when multiplied across labs around the world.

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What Drives a Scientist?

If Indrani had one message to pass on to future researchers, it’s this: be curious. Let that curiosity push you to ask questions, try again after setbacks, and dig deeper—even when results don’t come easily.

At Starlab, that’s exactly the spirit we try to support: not just with tools, but with recognition, visibility, and community.