Revati Narwankar
Food virologist and president of the UGA-Griffin Student Advisory Council, Narwankar is working toward her doctorate at UGA's Center for Food Safety
Where are you from, and what brought you to UGA?
I am originally from Mumbai, India. I spent two years at Rutgers University for my master’s and have been in Georgia for my Ph.D. since fall 2019.
As a student in food science, I wanted to expand my knowledge in the food safety sector and decided to do a Ph.D. at the Center for Food Safety (CFS) because it has a lot of resources that will help me build my career in the food safety industry. At CFS, I have had opportunities to learn from both my colleagues and mentors.
Why did you choose your field of study?
My interest in research all started with my grandfather. He was an agricultural scientist and an expert in mushroom cultivation; he also did a lot of gardening.
When other kids spent their free time playing video games, I would spend my time with my grandfather learning how to graft young rosebuds and grow small house plants. He would not only teach me but also explain the science behind it. He inculcated a sense of self-reliance in me and involved inspiring problem-solving.
A young Narwankar (left) with her grandfather
A young Narwankar (left) with her grandfather
My undergraduate experience in biotechnology engineering convinced me to continue in research science. Taking inspiration from my grandfather’s experience and an uncle who worked for General Mills, I chose the field of food science for my graduate level education.
What has been your favorite class at CAES?
It is hard to pick between my two favorite classes: “Introduction to Virology” and “Molecular Genetics.” Both of these classes had a lot to teach me and used unique methods of teaching. If I had to pick one, I would say “Intro to Virology”!
I enjoyed learning about the world of viruses, and it has helped me in my research on norovirus, which I work on closely with my advisor Malak Esseili. She has been a great mentor and has helped me navigate my field of study.
The class required us to complete a term paper at the end of the semester. We selected a virus and wrote a research proposal for a unique research idea. That assignment exercised my brain cells quite a bit, but it was really fun trying to find an idea that no one had done yet.
That led to me learning a lot about a drug called Remdesivir and about how bats can be reservoirs of zoonotic viruses. That was interesting because when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, both the drug Remdesivir and bats as vectors for viruses became hot topics of discussion. What a coincidence!
What has been the best experience you’ve had so far at CAES?
Making a diverse group of friends has helped me grow as a person and develop my social skills. This was important because it made me realize how much I love being around people and ultimately led to me becoming the president of the Student Advisory Council on the UGA Griffin campus.
Since fall 2021, the Student Advisory Council has organized multiple events on campus that have brought our close-knit community even closer. One of our international events celebrated the presence of more than 30 countries, which we called Taste of Nations. That has been the most rewarding experience by far at UGA for me.
How has your experience at UGA changed you?
My time at UGA has made me into a better research scientist and helped me develop skills I will need to survive in the food industry.
My educators have taught me so much with respect to food science coursework. Meanwhile, my friends and colleagues have continually taught me life lessons that will help me in the future.
I could not be more thankful for my time here.
What do you want to do with what you have learned at the Center for Food Safety?
I plan to join the food industry and, specifically, I want to lead the effort to solve current food safety issues.
My leadership skills combined with my scientific knowledge would be beneficial in securing a position that would allow me to expand my network and contribute to this wonderful and important industry.
What does food safety mean to you?
Food safety to me means accessibility to safe food without having to struggle. Coming from a developing country, I understand the difficulties some people face when it comes to having access to safe food and resources.
I want to contribute my time and knowledge to finding solutions that would ensure everyone has access to safe and reliable food sources, regardless of status or situation.
I also love the concept of probiotics and beneficial microbes, which are naturally present in our bodies, and would like to find a way to work with both these areas simultaneously.
Narwankar (right) with her advisor, Assistant Professor Malak Esseili
Narwankar (right) with her advisor, Assistant Professor Malak Esseili
Narwankar (right) traveling with her fiancé
Narwankar (right) traveling with her fiancé
Narwankar presenting her poster at a food safety conference
Narwankar presenting her poster at a food safety conference
Narwankar (center) with her parents
Narwankar (center) with her parents
Narwankar (center) at lunch with friends
Narwankar (center) at lunch with friends
What do you like to do outside of class — hobbies, interests, secret talents?
I am an avid reader, a bookworm you may call it, and I absolutely love reading fantasy fiction books. I also love making arts and crafts. While I cannot paint well, I love making handmade gifts like greeting cards and scrapbooks and did about seven to 10 such projects last year.
Narwankar, second from left, gathers with friends in a sunflower field
Narwankar, second from left, gathers with friends in a sunflower field
I love my car and driving a lot, too. You will find me going on long drives on weekends to satisfy my other interest – food! I like to call myself a foodie and love cooking and trying out new foods and restaurants.
The ultimate combination of books, good coffee and beautiful scenery would probably keep me occupied for hours on end.
Interested in becoming a CAES student?
Schedule a campus visit and learn more about the admissions process today.
CAES students work alongside world-class scientists to get hands-on experience in their field. Through scholarship opportunities, small class sizes and faculty support, CAES students are empowered to become the next generation of leaders.
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