From microbes to Mrs India Worldwide

Competing in an international beauty pageant is about as far away from working a microbiology research lab in Dunedin as you can get, but Dr Shilpa Saseendran Nair is proof you can do both well.

Shilpa, a University of Otago postdoctoral fellow, has just won the title of Glammonn Mrs India Worldwide 2026.

Along with the overall Mrs India Worldwide 2026 title, Shilpa won the Best National Costume and Best Ramp Walk awards.

Her journey began with an online audition and selection process, with participants being women of Indian origin from countries including Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Mauritius.

Around five months before the final competition, participants began regular online preparation sessions.

Shilpa then travelled from Dunedin to Jaipur earlier in August for the five-day competition, which included a talent round, prejudging, national costume, evening gown and on-stage Q&A sessions. The experience also included professional photo shoots.

She returned home with the crown and trophy and is thrilled with the honour.

“I entered the Glammonn Mrs India Worldwide pageant because I wanted to challenge myself beyond my usual academic and professional environment,” Shilpa says.

“As a scientist, mother and entrepreneur, I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and show that women can continue to pursue their personal dreams while also managing their careers and family responsibilities.”

Dance has always been an important part of Shilpa’s life, and the pageant presented an opportunity to reconnect with her creative side and express herself beyond science.

“Winning the title was incredibly special to me. More than the crown itself, it represents confidence, resilience and the courage to keep growing at every stage of life.

“I also hope my journey can inspire other women to believe that they do not necessarily have to choose between their responsibilities and their dreams.”

Her work colleagues have always been supportive of the way she balances motherhood, mahi as a scientist and entrepreneur, and a passion for dance. Shilpa says their encouragement throughout this journey has meant a great deal to her.

Shilpa is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, working in Associate Professor Daniel Pletzer’s laboratory on antimicrobial research.

Her current mahi focuses on host-defence peptides and their potential use to reduce bacterial contamination and spoilage in meat, with the aim of developing new approaches that could benefit the meat industry.

Prior to joining the Pletzer Lab, Shilpa worked in the Department of Biochemistry with Dr Matthias Fellner, where her research involved metabolomics and lipidomics.

“What I enjoy most about my work at Otago is the opportunity to take fundamental microbiology and translate it into something that could have a real-world impact,” Shilpa says.

“It’s very rewarding to work on antimicrobial solutions that may ultimately help address practical challenges in areas such as food safety and preservation.”

Shilpa is also the Director of Real World Labs Limited, where she provides consultancy and laboratory testing services, including antibacterial efficacy testing of novel and commercially available antimicrobial products.

-Kōrero by Claire Grant, Communications Advisor, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences – Te Kaupeka Mātai Rongoā-Koiora