Moving Forward Together: Updates from our Hosts
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, MIT-India’s hosts have been involved in various research and relief efforts that have impacted our understanding of the virus and response to the crisis in our schools and workplaces.
Dr. Shannon Olsson
Shannon Olsson, PI of the NICE Lab at the National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS) is the India country leader for a 600 scientist global consortium to try and determine the link between COVID-19 and onset of loss of smell and taste.
Four Indian research institutes, including NCBS, have collaborated with the Global Consortium of Chemosensory Researchers (GCCR) to collect data via an online survey to find the connection between chemical senses and the novel coronavirus. The investigation will determine if anosmia is a reliable “early indicator” of the disease, and when and how the change or loss of sense occurs. The Indian collaborators are also working on a self-assessment test to help monitor change/loss of smell and taste.
Source: Hindustan Times
NCBS has also undertaken projects that have aimed to develop affordable, field-deployable actions in the fight against COVID-19. In addition to Dr. Olsson’s studies on anosmia as a symptom of COVID-19, the projects have helped deliver new disinfection technology, efficient sampling methodologies, new pooled testing methods, and technologies to screen potential drugs to treat the virus. The institute has also created a website dedicated to providing accurate COVID-19 information for the public.
Source: Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster
The International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad is where, during a typical summer, we would send our student interns to complete research projects on computer science and engineering. As was the case with all higher education institutes, IIIT had to quickly adapt to the sudden circumstances and challenges brought on by the pandemic.
IIIT Hyderabad campus
After sending their students home at the start of the pandemic in March, IIIT quickly moved the remainder of their classes online and reported an 80% attendance rate from their students. The Institute also adopted new policies when it came to the students’ final exams. “The faculty debated at length on different options, keeping two principles firmly in mind,” writes Prof. PJ Narayanan, Director of IIIT Hyderabad. “We need to be compassionate and generous to students who are already in distress, and fine differentiation of students through grades can take a back seat if we can attempt to lead students to the subject.”
The Institute concluded their spring semester equitably and on time, and will plan to conduct all summer remote internships remotely.
To read more about their efforts, visit the IIIT Hyderabad blog.