This Accidental Entrepreneur Bets On Microalgae For Net-Zero Transition

Scire Science naturally found its path beyond the conference as people started seeking its services to publish academic books, journals, and newsletters. In 2019, Scire Science began to conduct workshops, training, and internships, exclusively for research students.

Scire Science opened its own lab at BioNest — a biotech incubation centre run jointly by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kerala Startup Mission — in Kochi in 2018. It successfully developed an energy-efficient equipment prototype to thaw refrigerated reagents in labs, thus saving 70% energy. “We have made it more cost-effective recently,” Dr Jose says, not divulging more as the patent process is on.When the demand for liquid sanitisers soared in the initial days of COVID-19, BioNest Chief Executive Officer Dr Saji George urged Scire Science to make hand sanitisers to meet the growing market demand. Despite the challenges in obtaining necessary licences while navigating a lockdown, Scire Science launched its Safe Touch Sanitiser in 2020.On the other hand, the lockdown posed a challenging period for research. Dr Jose and her team were conducting experiments on developing microalgae-based cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals at that time. She recalls how they found the microalgae dead upon returning to the lab after the lockdown.

Some of these cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals are now ready for commercialisation, while others are still in different stages of research and development. “In the current landscape of our research endeavours, microalgae have emerged as a focal point of exploration and innovation,” she says.

These diminutive organisms possess a wealth of untapped potential, offering a promising avenue for addressing the pressing global issue of food security. Their intrinsic attributes, including their remarkable capacity for carbon sequestration, nutrient richness and exceptional photosynthetic efficiency, position microalgae as a transformative force in the quest for carbon neutrality and the fulfillment of burgeoning industrial demands in the foreseeable future.

“We encounter a series of formidable challenges that necessitate diligent attention. Among these challenges are the considerable production costs associated with microalgae cultivation, a cautious acceptance within various industries and valid safety concerns regarding their utilisation. Addressing these hurdles will require the concerted and coordinated efforts of professionals across a spectrum of disciplines, all committed to unlocking the full potential of microalgae-based product development,” Dr Jose says.

“Our overarching goal is to leverage the versatility of microalgae across an array of applications, particularly in fields such as skincare and nutraceuticals. By doing so, we can circumvent the need to sacrifice conventional plants to extract similar molecules that can be readily sourced from microalgae. This approach underscores our unwavering dedication to sustainable practices that resonate across a diverse range of industries, aligning our efforts with the broader mission of fostering a more environmentally conscious and resilient future,” she explains.

An inspiration to others

“After PhD, everyone tells you to enter the teaching profession. But my friend decided to pursue business in her research area. Without any management background, she effortlessly led her business to growth and diversified it as per the market demands. It was possible only because of her clear vision,” says Hima Joy, a friend. In 2019, Dr Jose became a research member of the Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), New Delhi. Besides, she is a consultant and advisory board member of different companies. She was invited to a panel at the Indian Science Conference in Bengaluru in 2020.“She is a versatile personality and one among the few doctorates in biofuel in the country. She is not content in just listing her published articles, and tries to translate theoretical science into business… Unfortunately, very few scientists do that,” says IISD Director General Dr Srikanta K Panigrahi.

Dr Jose is a visiting faculty at St Joseph College of Communications, Kottayam. “The college introduced Environmental Studies and Human Rights as a subject in 2017. Since Dr Jose’s work majorly focuses on sustainability, we invited her to teach here three days a week. She is instilling a sense of social responsibility in our students, which is what we expect through this subject,” says college principal Father Dr Joseph Parackel.

Scire Science was recognised at the national level in 2018 when she received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Business Excellence from the All India Achievers Forum.

Moreover, she has authored academic book chapters. She served as the chairperson of scientific sessions and was a speaker for various academic and non-academic programmes. She was a panellist of the Women’s Science Congress during the Indian Science Congress, 2020.

Additionally, she served as a supervisor for a postdoctoral fellow, guiding the researcher on nutraceutical product development from microalgae. Although Dr Jose may consider herself an accidental entrepreneur, she firmly believes that her vision to serve the society and environment has guided her path.