Community Spotlight Series — Angela Anil
Earth Hacks: Tell us a bit about yourself (i.e., where you’re from, your background, what you’re in school for, etc.)!
Angela Anil: My name is Angela Anil. I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Microbiology at the Amrita School of Biotechnology. I’ve always loved anything to do with innovation, research, and development. I am also an environmental blogger, publishing articles advocating against the climate crisis. This is an issue that has always bothered me, hence I’m always on the constant lookout for developing new technologies and solutions for a more sustainable future.
EH: How did you get involved with Earth Hacks?
AA: I came across Earth Hacks when I joined an environmental hackathon called ‘’In Code we Trust: Responsible Innovation for a Sustainable Future’’. I received this opportunity through YOUNGO (the youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
EH: What was your experience like at the In Code we Trust Hackathon? Can you tell us about the project that you were involved with?
AA: It was a wonderful experience as I got to know about new ideas on how code could be used to create a sustainable future. Our project was to repurpose old rechargeable batteries from consumer gadgets and give them a second life. The idea is to repurpose old laptop, phone, and e-scooter batteries and create a modular design BMS [battery management system] circuit where we can simply switch different profile batteries and use them to power small battery-operated devices.
EH: What drew you to be interested in Microbiology and what are your goals after college?
AA: Actually I always wanted to become a climate activist and was planning to take environmental studies as my undergrad degree. However, I figured if I took microbiology I could learn more about the organisms around us which are a million times more numerous than us, and utilize them in a way that will benefit the environment. I could use them to bring new technologies to biologically create new solutions to the climate crisis as well.
EH: What role do you see Microbiology playing in sustainable development?
AA: According to me, microbiology will have a greater responsibility in a more sustainable future. Environmental repair and bioremediation will be the main focus of new solutions through research. Exploring more about each organism can open new doorways to problems that we face today that we never knew of.
EH: What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know about you?
AA: That’s a very interesting question. People think I’m an extrovert but actually, I’m more of an ambivert- extrovert and introvert equally.
EH: What would you say to someone who has never participated in a hackathon before?
AA: You don’t necessarily have to know how to code or hack. Just give it a shot, and take all the experience and knowledge you receive from it. Make the most of your opportunities.