Sri Lankan Jasmin Athas has been steadily making a name for herself in the field of science. A post grad student in chemistry at the University of Maryland, USA, Athas - along with her advisor Professor Raghavan - recently discovered non-toxic, eco-friendly materials that will act as a dispersant for oil spills in the sea without causing any damage to marine life. Life Online caught up with the busy Jasmin Athas about her involvement in the project.

Would you say you were a "smart" kid growing up?

I wouldn't necessarily say that I was a "smart" kid growing up. My parents were strict with me and ensured that I always put in my best effort regardless of the task set ahead for me.

Did you always want to become a scientist? If not scientist, what would you have become?

I was interested in the sciences since I was a child. I was attracted to the sciences because of the logical reasoning involved and the importance of empirical evidence.

Did you have family members who influenced your decision to foray into the world of science?

I was the first person in my immediate family to pursue the sciences. My family never pressured me into following any field. They encouraged me to pursue my interests and supported me in all my endeavours.

Who would you consider to be your role models?

In general, I would say my parents because I admire their perseverance and dedication to their careers. My other role models would be Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan. I really admire their work and their ability to present their complicated work to a broader audience.

What piqued your interest in oil spills?

A lot of the research conducted in the Complex Fluids lab utilizes biocompatible materials. The research is also very application oriented. I chose to join the groups because of these attributes. I became involved in the research on oil spill dispersants when I joined the group.

Explain to us briefly your role in this.

The project to develop a biocompatible dispersant was conceived and initiated by my advisor, Professor Raghavan. The project was funded by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). GoMRI brings researchers from across the U.S. from a wide range of fields. This was one of my research projects as a graduate student in the Complex Fluids lab (where Professor Raghavan is the Principal Investigator). We systematically tried different combinations, and we found that a combination of lecithin and tween 80 was particularly effective.

What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar path in chemistry?

I would advise people to get some experience in a research lab. A lot of material that you learn in class seems abstract. However, research allows you to get hands-on experience and apply the material that you learnt in class.

What do you do during your free time? How do you de-stress?

I enjoy cooking and reading.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

That's a great question. I'm yet to figure that out.

By Rihaab Mowlana