From the humble town of Banting, Selangor, Malaysia, Jotisri Vasudevan was inspired early by her parents’ sacrifices and the struggles of past generations. As the eldest of three siblings, she learnt the values of perseverance, education, and staying true to her path. Her schooling at Telok Datok Tamil Primary School and Banting Secondary School laid a strong foundation, particularly in her mother tongue, Tamil, while balancing academics with co-curricular achievements.

An early setback came when she was not accepted into the matriculation programme despite excellent public exam results. Undeterred, Jotisri explored alternative government-based opportunities and pursued a Diploma in Biotechnology at a polytechnic, where her dedication earned her the Director’s Award. She later secured a full scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education to study Industrial Biotechnology at Universiti Malaysia Pahang. There, she continued excelling academically, earning international awards, mentoring peers, and leading programmes such as the Model United Nations.

Her journey took a transformative turn at the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC), where she discovered her passion for science communication. Through contributions to The Petri Dish, networking with scientists, and engaging policymakers, she realised that scientific discoveries must reach society to create real impact. She further honed her skills at Biogenes Technologies, a leading biotech startup.

Jotisri gained international recognition through a fully funded fellowship to the United States and founding NEXUStartups, a youth-led science and environmental communication network. Most recently, she earned a fully sponsored master’s in science communication for a better planet at the University of Bristol, UK, and was honoured with the Inspirational Award by Malaysia’s Minister of Science.

Through persistence, clarity, and networking, Jotisri Vasudevan exemplifies how vision, dedication, and courage can transform challenges into global impact.”