ONIee of the week - R&D Scientist

We're excited to reveal more about a day in the life here at ONI. This week we're talking one of our R&D Scientists - Sonali Dasgupta

Introducing ONIee of the week

Please introduce yourself...

I began my studies in India where my first degree was a BSc Physics. I really enjoyed this and went on to do a Masters Degree, also in Physics where I wrote my thesis titled 'Novel Optoelectronic Data Encryption Techniques'. During my studies I developed a keen interest in fibre optics which lead me to studying Physics (Fibre Optics) for my PhD. 

I spent several years in a research position at the University of Southampton before returning to India to work as a consultant. I then moved back to the UK in January 2019 when I joined ONI.

Why ONI?

I think I was intrigued by the fact that whatever I do here will impact people very quickly, rather than the technology taking another 10 years to be accessible to society. We are a very dynamic organization and things happen very quickly - that was very attractive to me.

What do you enjoy most about working at ONI?

It’s a very dynamic company, the different cultures that people come from is really exciting to me. We have over 30 different nationalities represented and it’s been really positive getting to understand where different people come from. Also, everyone has expertise in a specific area and there’s always someone that you can talk to and learn something!

Can you describe a typical day?

It really does vary from day to day and even hour to hour! I would say that a ‘typical’ day for me would involve a mixture of work in the office, in our optics lab and also with the production team. Inevitably, there is some research involved as I am always looking at ways in which we can improve our current offering.

Tell us something that we might not know about you...

I have had the chance to have high tea (twice!) with the past President of India and world-renowned scientist, Dr. Abdul J Kalaam, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's residence in Delhi).

I have also been to the world's highest road, in the Himalayas at a height of 17,600 ft.

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