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Systems, Science, and Self:
The Interconnected Universe of Meaning
The Scientific Interplay:
Biotechnology, Bioplastics, and the Logic of Solutions
Mehak’s foundational study in biotechnology provided a lens for understanding
complex systems, aligning her curiosity with scientific rigor. While her engineer
ing choice was initially a “leap of faith”, her enduring interest in science and
biology propelled her forward. This scientific grounding became crucial when
confronting real-world environmental catastrophes. She recounts being deeply
affected by an article on the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”, a colossal accumula
tion consisting of “tons and tons of billions and billions of tons of plastic waste”
that had “taken shape of huge islands”. The stark reality that “there’s no cure
and humanity’s limited capacity to address it, alongside continued emissions,
fundamentally shifted my focus”.
This alarming observation and her biotechnology background steered her to
wards bioplastics. In her final year of biotech engineering, Mehak undertook a
project to create “bioplastics using bacteria in my lab”. This endeavor served as a
direct application of her scientific knowledge to a pressing environmental chal
lenge. The project demonstrated the potential for biological processes to offer
solutions where conventional methods fall short, transforming what is perceived
as intractable waste into a viable alternative. This hands-on experience, rooted
in engineering and biological science logic, reinforced her conviction that scien
tific principles were the key to addressing environmental degradation.
Her journey consistently reflects a need for “things to make sense”. This drive
to understand and rationalize extends beyond the lab, influencing her broader
approach to complex problems. For Mehak, applying scientific logic is a guiding
principle, enabling her to seek coherent solutions even in seemingly chaotic
situations.
Her intellectual journey consistently reveals a need for “Things to make sense”.
This inherent drive to understand and rationalize extends beyond empirical data,
prompting her to explore frameworks that bridge seemingly disparate realms.
She delves into concepts like neuroplasticity and quantum physics, finding that
they “really resonate” with her. For Mehak, these disciplines offer compelling
reasons and evidence to embrace belief, providing a logical basis for concepts