Shanmugapriya Periyannan
Shanmugapriya Periyannan is a Postdoctoral fellow studying neuroscience at the University of Siegen, Germany, and an amazing mother of two. In this interview, she shares her career aspirations and how Mothers in Science has helped her thrive in her career. Her journey navigating a STEMM career as a mother is a powerful testament to resilience and determination. She openly shares the pivotal milestones, the challenges she’s faced, ranging from overcoming familial resistance and toxic mentorship to balancing the demands of motherhood with international research–and the invaluable lessons she’s learned along the way.
1. Please describe your job in one sentence.
I’m a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellow at the University of Siegen, Germany. My job is about translating the language of nanoscience into real-world healing—like a therapist for the challenges of our time.
2. What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why?
What I want to accomplish in my career is twofold: first, to contribute meaningful scientific advancements—particularly through single-atom nanomaterials that can drive innovation in energy, health, and the environment; and second, to make science more human, inclusive, and impactful beyond the lab.
My journey into nanoscience was driven by deep curiosity about how materials behave at the atomic scale, which led me to pursue a master’s in nanotechnology and eventually work with single-atom materials—turning that curiosity into my everyday reality. But over time, I’ve realized that my purpose extends beyond research.
I want to be a scientist who not only makes discoveries but also helps translate science to society through communication, education, and advocacy. I care about the well-being of those I work with, the accessibility of science to the public, and creating pathways for underrepresented communities—especially women—to see themselves in STEM. I believe representation can shift generational barriers, and I want to be one of those role models who shows that if I could do it, so can they.
3. What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?
To me, there isn't just one single milestone that defines my career—each stage has been a significant achievement in its own right. From pursuing a master's in nanotechnology while raising my first child, as the first in my family (where no one had completed high school) to step into higher education and STEM, to making the life-changing decision of leaving my husband and child behind to pursue a doctorate abroad, each step required courage, conviction, and sacrifice.
Securing the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship for my PhD was a major turning point—not just academically, but personally, given the resistance I faced from a deeply traditional family. Earning the fellowship again for my postdoctoral research, especially after overcoming the discouragement of a toxic mentorship that once questioned whether I even had a place in academia, was a powerful reaffirmation of my journey and my purpose.
Today, I continue my Marie Curie postdoctoral work in a foreign country, parenting two children on my own, while maintaining a long-distance relationship by choice. Every step—from motherhood in science, to international research, to standing tall despite doubts—feels like a milestone. I consider the journey itself, and the persistence it represents, to be my greatest achievement.
4. What career obstacles have you faced as a mother in STEMM? How did you overcome them?
As a mother in STEMM, one of the most significant obstacles I faced came immediately after completing my PhD—just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Opportunities in nanoscience, which I was deeply passionate about, suddenly became scarce. At the same time, I had to take on the full-time role of a stay-at-home parent to support my neurodiverse child, who required intensive, individualized help with his academic learning—support that only I could provide at the time.
Choosing to pause my academic career right after earning a doctorate was an emotionally difficult decision, but I knew it was necessary for my family. Still, I found ways to stay connected to my purpose: I taught high school students and volunteered to educate underprivileged children through a nonprofit. These activities not only helped me remain intellectually and socially engaged, but they also gave me a sense of peace and meaning during a turbulent time.
As the pandemic eased, I re-entered academia with a postdoctoral fellowship at a national institute, but unfortunately found myself in a toxic professional environment. Once again, I had to make the difficult decision to prioritize my well-being and leave. I gathered the strength to apply for new opportunities and eventually secured another Marie Curie postdoctoral position—this time in a healthier and more supportive environment.
Through all of these challenges, what kept me grounded was a commitment to self-reflection, self-motivation, and a conscious effort to engage in activities that brought peace and purpose—regardless of the chaos around me. That mindset has been key to navigating motherhood and a career in STEMM.
5. What was the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came just before my PhD defense. A friend noticed my nervousness and joined me for lunch, offering words that I still carry with me during moments of imposter syndrome. He said, "I know how nerve-wracking it is to face a room full of experts, but remember—no one else in that room is an expert in your work. You've spent years with this research. You know it's every corner. You are the expert." Those words grounded me, and I went on to pass my defense with magna cum laude.
As someone from a small village in India, with little access to academic mentorship growing up, I often struggled with presentation anxiety and even experienced blackouts. His advice became a mantra that I revisit before every talk or presentation.
More recently, another powerful insight came from the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast by Dr. Matt Abrahams. A guest shared: "If someone is attending your presentation, it means they’re there to learn from you. Focus on serving your audience, not on your anxiety." This shift in perspective helped me become more confident and purpose-driven in my communication, and it continues to shape how I engage with both academic and public audiences.
These two pieces of advice have been instrumental in helping me grow professionally—not just in how I present my work, but in how I see myself within the scientific community.
6. How did MiS help you professionally and/or personally?
Before discovering Mothers in Science (MiS), I often felt like I was navigating my career and motherhood alone. Finding the MiS community was incredibly reassuring—it made me realize that there are many others facing similar challenges, each on their own terms. This connection brought me a deep sense of comfort and perspective, knowing that I could draw strength, ideas, and solutions from peers when needed.
One example that stands out is when MiS announced a travel grant for mothers attending conferences with their children. Shortly after, I was selected to present at a conference, but my husband was unexpectedly unable to travel with me as planned. Remembering that MiS announcement sparked the idea to ask the organizers about childcare options. Even though I was the only one among 200+ attendees to request it, they kindly arranged private childcare for me. I also discovered, for the first time, that my university’s Equal Opportunities Office could fund such support—something I wouldn’t have thought to explore otherwise. With additional help from my fellowship, I was able to attend the conference with my child, fully supported.
That experience reminded me how platforms like MiS offer more than just resources—they provide sparks of possibility, empowerment, and the knowledge that we’re not alone. Whether subtly or profoundly, MiS has played an important role in both my personal and professional journey.
7. What advice would you give to a mother in STEMM?
There will be times when it feels like you’re drifting alone in the middle of an ocean—but you’re not. Never hesitate to ask for help or seek ideas and support from those around you. You’ll often be surprised by how many people are willing to go out of their way to support you, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Even when things feel isolating or overwhelming, support often arrives—just not always from where you expect it.
Equally important: choose your mentors and work environment with care. Don’t feel pressured to chase prestigious or big-name institutions at the cost of your well-being. A supportive mentor and a healthy work culture can make all the difference—they can either uplift your confidence and career or diminish them. Your journey is unique, and your success will be built not just on ambition, but on the people and spaces that respect your whole self—as a mother and a scientist.
Instagram account: @learningandthriving_mom
LinkedIn: @shanmugapriya-periyannan-phd
X: @PriyaPeriyasami