Born in India, Katya grew up in Thailand where she attended the International School of Bangkok, interspersed with a year in Southern France. In part due to her father’s lifelong dedication to poverty alleviation through profitable impact investment, Katya is passionate about social justice issues. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Operation Smile, and worked extensively with low-income and refugee children in both Thailand and the United States.

As the daughter of an American and German writer, and Thai-Indian social entrepreneur, Katya holds both US and German citizenship and has traveled to over 30 countries. In 2011, she moved to Vermont where she graduated with a Bachelors of Social Work from Champlain College, followed by a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University.

Prior to Seed, Katya was the U.S. Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator for Smiling Gecko, a Swiss-Cambodian NGO that transitions families and individuals out of poverty, human trafficking, and child prostitution in Cambodia and into a sustainable village. At the Smiling Gecko farm, children are enrolled into a Swiss-standard academic curriculum and adults receive job training for gainful employment opportunities outside of the village.

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In conversation with Katya:

Six word story of your life.
If only I had more words.

What was your first brush with science?
When my brother told me that all people eventually die (I had to confirm this theory with my Mom).

Why do you think bacteria are important?
There are so many ways to answer this. Life just wouldn’t be possible without bacteria.

How do you define science?
Our pursuit toward understanding anything and everything.

How do you define health?
“The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.” —Esther Perel

What are you currently reading / listening / watching?
Reading Missing Microbes by Martin J. Blaser, MD and watching Sex Education

Favorite microbiome-nurturing food?
Artichoke hearts, asparagus, avocados. And garlic and ginger.

Scientist, dead or alive, you’d like to eat with?
Lynn Margulis

Microbiome perturbation you’re trying to give up.
Caramel macchiatos

Favorite science joke or best mindgasm fact?
Bacteria have been around for at least 3.5 billion years, making them the oldest known life-form on the planet.

One fact most people don’t know about you:
If I could always be barefoot, I would be.

Social channels?
@katyasn
@katyaschurnarula