Fullbright Scholar, Science contributor, freshwater biologist. These are some of the ways to describe Aashna Sharma, who is currently working with Dr. Julian Olden at SAFS as part of her two-year postdoctoral fellowship. From the foothills of the Himalayas in India, Aashna was recently inspired by the Past as Prologue feature in Science that highlights how different scientists from around the world are shaped by their family and background, and submitted a piece herself. It was published on July 31, 2025 in Vol 389, Issue 6759 of Science, and we caught up with Aashna to find out more about it.
How did it come about, you writing for Science as part of their Past as Prologue feature?
Past as Prologue is an occasional feature in Science that highlights scientists from around the world, focusing on how their family and sociocultural background shaped them into the scientists they are today. It’s surprising how often, in celebrating a scientist’s work, we overlook the human side—the stories, influences, and personal journeys that spark curiosity and shape ideas. In recent years, there’s been a welcome shift toward celebrating these narratives, especially the “pillars of strength” behind scientists—the loved ones without whom many discoveries might never have happened.
When I first read a Past as Prologue piece, I was so moved that I went on to read all the others—there are only about seven published so far. I remember thinking, I want to write the next one. As someone who deeply values acknowledging the people who support and sustain a scientific career, I felt compelled to tell my own story. Even knowing the feature is rare and highly competitive, I knew I had to try.
What inspired you specifically to become a freshwater biologist, with a focus on India’s freshwater megafauna?
I’m a trained freshwater biologist and have spent much of the past decade working in Himalayan freshwater ecosystems. My doctoral research focused on interactions between native and invasive trout, and during that time I collaborated with colleagues studying everything from insects to mammals. But freshwater systems have always held my heart.
For my current Fulbright project, I turned my focus to large-bodied freshwater species—India’s freshwater megafauna. These species act as umbrella species, helping protect many others that share their habitats. They are also ecosystem engineers, shaping the environments and biodiversity around them in unique ways. Globally, freshwater megafauna receive far less attention than other groups, and in India, they had never been discussed collectively before. I felt it was time to change that. Our rivers hold extraordinary species—from crocodilians, turtles, and tortoises to swamp deer, river dolphins, and even sharks. My project examines how land-use and climate change affect them now and into the future.
I think my fascination began in childhood, watching the immaculate headwaters of mountain streams. As scientists, we all feel connected to many ecosystems, but one inevitably pulls us in more strongly. For me, that will always be freshwater. Still, I love exploring terrestrial flora and fauna just as much, and I’m particularly drawn to understanding the links between them. Forest–stream connectivity is one area I hope to explore further in the future.
When thinking about your mother and her passion for science, did you always know you wanted to pursue science, inspired by her?
I did. She has always been my pillar of motivation and strength. Her dedication, discipline, and the way she combined a scientific and spiritual approach to nature made her my childhood star. With a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, she seemed to embody the path I somehow knew I would follow. She answered even my simplest questions in the most engaging ways—sparking curiosity and inspiring me to ask more.
One of the fondest memories of her nurturing my scientific curiosity is when she taught me about the inflorescence of Bauhinia variegata, a medium-sized tree native to South and Southeast Asia. In the mid-elevations of the Himalaya where I grew up, we called it kachnar. Its delicate orchid-like blooms appear in folk songs, but for me, they were part of everyday life. The tree bloomed abundantly in our backyard, and I often climbed its slender branches to collect buds and blossoms, which my mother would turn into traditional pickles and dips. I also remember the white flowers of Citrus maxima, the largest citrus fruit, visited by honeybees—early glimpses into the intricate connections in nature.
As I grew older, these moments crystallized into something more than fond memories. They were signposts, guiding me toward science and reassuring me, even then, that I was already on the right path.
What project are you working on currently?
My two-year postdoctoral fellowship is funded by the Fulbright Program, and as a Fulbright-Kalam Climate Scholar, I’m leading an independent project on India’s freshwater megafauna, with Dr. Olden serving as my host mentor.
What brought you to SAFS to continue your scientific journey? Do you see any similarities here in the things that inspired you when you were young to pursue science?
I had originally developed my Fulbright project with a mentor at another university in the US, but I ended up at SAFS at the University of Washington at the last moment—a turn of events that has worked out wonderfully, as I’ve been able to learn so much here.
Through SAFS and the Fulbright community, I’ve gained a deeper cross-cultural perspective, met incredible colleagues, and had the chance to understand not only new scientific approaches but also the people and culture of the United States.
In many ways, SAFS reflects the qualities that first inspired me to pursue science: discipline, curiosity, and a commitment to digging deeper into the natural world’s mysteries. It’s a place where people are serious about their science yet passionate about exploring and understanding the intricate connections that shape our ecosystems.
