Athira Rohit

Dare to Dream,
Explore and Discover

Dr.Athira Rohit

30 MAY 2021

CHRONICLES OF ALO

Clinical Research Coordinator, Auckland Eye Hospital,
Happiness is key for NeveerwythZiengatlhaant dyou do in your life.

-Dr.Athira Rohit

My entry to optometry was purely by chance. Like everyone else, I was exploring for ‘what
next’ after my year 12. I had three things in my mind; I wanted to do something rare and
science related, I wanted to stay in a hostel and study and I wanted to improve my English
language proficiency. I was also a habitual contact lens wearer since my year 11. So, it was
during one of my contact lenses visits at a local optical shop in my town, I got introduced to
optometry. The practitioner completed a diploma in optometry and told me about L V
Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and the 4-year undergrad course they offer. It also checked all
my boxes; science related, a chance to stay in a hostel , probability of making friends from
other states of India and an opportunity to speak to them in English. LVPEI being based in
Hyderabad was a bonus because my aunt who was living there was my local guardian and
the course being affiliated with BITS, Pilani made my parents happy as well – so it sealed the
deal.

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30 MAY 2021

BLSO taught me a whole range of life skills. So, I started working for CSE after my
In addition to subject knowledge, it gave me graduation whilst thinking about
lifelong friendships, an opportunity to learn applying for Masters in ‘something’ and
a new language (Telugu) and most ‘somewhere’. Working in CSE wasn’t
importantly I learnt to be more confident giving me enough time to concentrate on
and independent by the time I graduated. graduate school applications or anything
By the end of fourth year, I was sure I else, to be honest. While I enjoyed my
wanted to pursue higher education at some work, it was tiring and exhausting by the
point as I wanted to improve my credentials end of the day.
for better career opportunities. My favourite
posting during my internship days was So, I decided to return home (Kerala) and
Centre for sight enhancement (CSE). concentrate on applications within India
and abroad. It was the same time I was
developing a taste in retail optometry. I
did not like that ‘taste’ at all. Retail was
not my cup of tea. So, these experiences
were giving me hints as to which
directions to ‘not’ take in my career path.

That same year, I received a response
from University of New South Wales
(UNSW), Australia with a Ph.D. offer. I
was stunned. I hadn’t even considered
doing a Ph.D. as I thought Masters was
the first step to reach the post-
graduation level and Ph.D. at a very late
stage. Guess I was wrong. I took that
chance anyways and I was lucky to get a
scholarship to support my expenses
abroad. I also happened to get married in
the same year so both of us went to
Australia together.

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30 MAY 2021

I quite enjoyed my Ph.D. journey. I was very
fortunate to have the most amazing
supervisors and mentors who motivated
me every day to do my best as a researcher.
It was because of them I was able to
publish 6 papers during my Ph.D. They
made me realize the importance of research
outputs and translation. The best
experience as a student researcher was
travelling to attend international
conferences.

As students, we got inspired listening to fellow students and senior researchers present their
work and utilized the opportunities to network and share our work with them. It also gave us
a chance to travel to different places. More than the academic skills, Ph.D. taught me basic
life lessons. For instance, nothing happens as planned but then that change or the delay is
not the end of the world. You need to go through these changes and triumphs and move on.

Stepping into to Public Health was purely
by chance. My daughter was born just a
week before my Ph.D. submission and it
was the same time we moved interstate
for my husband’s job. So, it was a brand
new place and the first research job that I
applied for happened to be in the field of
public health research and nowhere
related to optometry. To my surprise, I
loved the job. I stuck to the job and its
roles and out of interest went ahead and
did a Master’s in Public Health. It is
because of this Public Health research
experience, I now work as a consultant for
the Fred Hollows Foundation, who is into
public health optometry/ophthalmology.

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30 MAY 2021

But my major research work lies within While I was doing my Masters, I developed
Indigenous Maternal and Child Health space. a specific interest to conduct qualitative
In Australia, huge health inequality exists research and my current work focuses on
between non-Indigenous Australians, such methods. The biggest achievement so
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people far for me is the cross-cultural learnings
(Indigenous Australians). My research work and experiences I acquired while
is within the Aboriginal health context and interacting with Aboriginal mothers and
currently we are evaluating a maternal and elders in the community. I am constantly
early childhood health service program on amazed by the amount of wisdom and
how well they have been implemented in courage Aboriginal people have and how it
remote communities of the Northern is unique to each community. Every time I
Territory. We talk to Aboriginal mothers and visit a community, I come back inspired
health practitioners to understand what is and wanting to do more work in this
working well and identify the gaps. space.

Programs like Women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are
needed and should be inclusive of careers outside of sciences. Such programs have the
potential to influence society’s perception – most importantly perception of women,
including myself. I started my research career with high levels of motivation. But I had to
take breaks due to care giving responsibilities or other gender related biased cultural factors.
When I reflect, I accepted those challenges as part of a gender responsibility and did not
seem to question them. However, through programs like STEM, I have recognized that these
challenges were in fact not necessary and that there is a requirement for system changes to
address these limitations that are still being experienced by women in the public health
sector or in any career stream. Such programs are equally essential for the next generation to
show young girls that there is a space where they can progress in their careers in STEM that
values equity and diversity.

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30 MAY 2021

Raising kids, managing home and other stuff in life at the same time is difficult and I
definitely do not have superpowers. I think the most important factor is that I pursued
what I pursued because I loved it. I am motivated to do the work I am doing. What also
helps is the environment around me that enables me to do all that. I owe majority of that
support to my husband. He is literally my pillar. I can confidently state that he covers the
gap that I create because of my work and vice versa.

Where do I even begin to talk about what
dance means to me? Dance is a way of life or a
lifestyle for me. I cannot imagine my life
without it . I am currently learning two forms
of Indian classical dance under professional
capacity. I have a YouTube channel and an
Instagram account (@athirarohit) that
showcases this part of my life. So a shout out to
anyone who is reading this, please do check
and follow me if you like the content.

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30 MAY 2021

To conclude, a lot of my learnings or perceptions towards life is hugely influenced by my
upbringing. I have amazing parents who taught me to be grateful for everything and to be
acceptable to changes that happens along the way. I guess, happiness is key for everything
that you do in your life. Also, it is important to understand that being strong and independent
doesn’t mean that you can function alone. You definitely need your people around. Be brave to
seek help!

And finally, be grateful for the teeniest things that you already have in your life.

Do you know a friend or a peer whose story is worth sharing? Please recommend them to us at
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