‘We have the right ambience to excel’

Dr Seyed E Hasnain, director of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, speaks to P Ram Kumar on the right ambience to work for scientists and others at CDFD.

On the degree of autonomy enjoyed by the CDFD

This premier research institution has been given absolute autonomy. There is no interference from any quarter. Research establishments should have the freedom in their working and allowed to take the decisions as per the changing needs. I encourage my scientists to attend various scientific conferences/meetings and there are no bureaucratic hurdles and formalities.

On his vision for the CDFD

I want the CDFD to become a world-class institution on par with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the US. Achieving this is a long process. The best people have to be selected and they should be given total freedom in their working and I see my role as a facilitator. They should have the right ambience to work on the projects. It is not only infrastructure, but also biological ambience that is needed.

On policies related to human resources

We believe that the CDFD is a family. All the staff members have access to me. The biggest incentive is the creation of the right environment here. Scientists can truly excel by using appropriately their intellectual inputs. If you want to be competitive globally, you must know what your competitor is doing today. Scientists should keep updated with the latest developments.

On industry-academia interaction

We must respect the industry and its specific needs. Similarly, the industry must recognise the fact that knowledge exists in India. In fact we are able to attract the best.

On current research projects

My group is doing research on three subjects, namely, Why a cell commits suicide; Understanding molecular mechanism that governs host interaction with pathogens and TB mycobacterium epidemiology works.