PhD student sets world record for the biggest pictorial collection of microbes

PhD researcher Sharmila has set a new world record in microbial sample collection. Till date, she has collected pictures of seventeen thousand and seventeen microbial samples.

Chennai: A doctoral student from Chennai has set a world record for collecting pictures of over 17,000 microbial samples. She has been presented with a certificate and a medal as a world record holder for her collection.

Sharmila, a PhD researcher, has recorded pictures of around seventeen thousand and seventeen microbial samples from frog, snake’s skin, birds’ feathers, plant cells and water. With the coronavirus-induced lockdown in place, Sharmila was unable to go to the college but she utilised her time to record the microbes. She began rekindling her interest and set a new record.

Talking to ETV Bharat, she said, “I aim to discover a new antibiotic through my doctoral research. My parents gifted me a microscope on my birthday and I wish to achieve something. Hence, I began collecting pictures of microbial samples.”

“I have collected pictures of seventeen thousand and seventeen microbial samples that include soil, frog, snake’s skin, bacteria, fungus, birds’ feathers and plant cells. I aim to collect around 1 lakh microbial samples. My efforts have been recognised by the Nobel World Records organisation,” she added with beaming eyes.

Sharmila has made the microscope her companion during the lockdown period and started analysing microorganisms. She is pursuing Doctoral research in microbiology at a private college in Chennai's Arumbakkam. Even in her college days, she used to analyse microorganisms under the microscopic lens which left a deep impact on her.

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And this time, she did not stop with just analysing but also recorded what she saw through the microscope using her mobile phone. This effort and passion of Sharmila helped her get recognition in the Nobel World Records.

Her parents are extremely proud of her achievements and are happy that her talent has been recognised globally. Her father Ulaganathan is engaged in farming and her mother Anitha is a homemaker.

“Our daughter has set a world record. We presented her with a microscope. Her enthusiasm has been recognised. She has made us proud,” said Ulaganathan, Sharmila’s father.

Attributing her success to her hard work, Sharmila said, "This record was made possible by the understanding and cooperation of my parents. Only if we let children try new things we would be able to see the result. If parents cooperate with their children, there’s a high chance for them to achieve things.”

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