Embracing your true calling can help make a difference not only to your own life, but to the world. That’s a principle Soumyashri Shetti has held on to since she was a young college student. She was studying engineering – like everyone else in her family. But soon, she realized that her heart lay somewhere else. “Engineering was not just a common career in my family; it was an expectation. But after just a week in college, I realized this wasn’t what I was passionate about,” she says. 

What she was passionate about, was science. "I always wanted to create things. Whether it was something that could improve lives or simply make someone’s day a little better," Shetti says. After convincing her parents, Shetti enrolled in post-graduate studies in Pharmaceutics, focusing on formulation and development. Through her Master’s programme, she found something that not only fueled her creativity but also allowed her to explore her fascination with creating new products.  

It was this possibility for innovation that attracted her to Godrej Consumer Products Limited, where she’s currently is at the forefront of developing products like household insecticides and air fresheners. Her driving force for her work? The global impact of these products.  “I can confidently say that the most fulfilling part of being a scientist is knowing that the products I develop are saving lives.,” Shetti says. “We are developing products that keep families safe and are making a tangible difference in global health.”   

One of Soumyashri’s proudest accomplishments has been her involvement in launching a new molecule for insecticides that is twice as effective as the existing alternatives on the market. "We’ve developed products like incense sticks, liquid vaporizers, and aerosols that protect consumers in ways our competitors haven’t yet achieved," she says. (These products work specifically as mosquito repellents, which can lower incidences of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases).

Shetti’s work in scent delivery systems for air fresheners also allows her to exercise her creative muscles. “We’re not just making air fresheners; we’re crafting experiences that resonate with consumers. The products are designed to be relevant to people’s lives," she explains. The thrill of innovating something entirely new, something that the market hasn’t seen before, is what excites Shetti every day. “Creating something from scratch and seeing it come to life is the most fulfilling feeling,” she says.  

Despite these successes, the road to innovation is never without its hurdles. "Every product presents a challenge. Even something as established as a Good Knight liquid vaporizer requires constant troubleshooting," she says. "But that’s what makes R&D exciting — the problem-solving, the brainstorming, the optimization. When you finally see your idea come to life, it’s worth every obstacle."  

As a woman in science, Shetti is no stranger to challenges. There have been moments where she has felt overlooked or where unconscious bias has affected her opportunities. “There are times when I had to ask for opportunities that others might have been given automatically," she admits. But the challenges have led to an important lesson — "If you don’t ask for what you want, you won’t get it. I had to voice my ambitions."  

Shetti’s ambitions have been encouraged and shaped by collaborative teamwork – from senior mentors to peers. “My manager, Dr Reena Bibals, has been amazing. She nurtures every idea, no matter how small, and motivates me to push forward. It’s this kind of support that makes me want to give my best every day."  

It’s the kind of support she believes in paying forward, by mentoring young girls who want to be scientists. “I’ve had young girls in my family and community come to me for advice. They see my journey, from student to scientist, and they are inspired. It’s so rewarding to know that I am influencing the next generation of female scientists,” she says.  

Her one piece of advice to women who want to make a career in science? “You must speak up for yourself.”  

“If there’s something you want, don’t wait for someone to offer it to you. Go after it."  

Image and text by Rolie Breja