00:00Dare to dream big. Dare to fail. Don't be afraid to fail.
00:07But you have to get your... I mean, you can dream. That's very, very important.
00:10Please don't ever stop that. Don't ever think you can't do it.
00:13Don't let anybody else define your limits.
00:19Turning 70 years old is a significant milestone for anyone.
00:23But for Ravika Devi Sambandan Murthy, the occasion will be even more special.
00:28On July 11th, just two days before her birthday, she will be officially inducted into UK's Royal Society as a fellow.
00:38She will be the first Malaysian scientist to receive this honour.
00:43As part of the ceremony, Ravika Devi will also sign the Royal Society's Charter Book,
00:49which holds the signatures of some of history's greatest scientific mind.
00:53FMT recently spoke with Ravika Devi to get to know the woman behind this remarkable achievement.
01:00Her interest in science took root early, sparked in part by a nature table at her primary school.
01:07So the children were encouraged to bring anything from the house, to put it there, and then you have to explain.
01:13And when she was in secondary school, she developed a special love for chemistry.
01:25She fondly recalls the dedication of her teachers at Convent Bukit Nanas,
01:29especially her late chemistry teacher, Mrs. Maniam.
01:32She played a key role in my love for chemistry, one particular.
01:39She really knew how to house the world, plant the love of the subject.
01:45That's why I said teachers are so important.
01:48They play such an important role in getting the kids to appreciate that subject.
01:53Education was a priority for her parents,
01:56who encouraged her to pursue a career she would enjoy and to always give her best.
02:00Recognizing the importance of oil palm to Malaysia's economy,
02:05Ravika Devi was determined to contribute to advancing the science behind the plant,
02:10leading transformative research in oil palm biochemistry and genomics.
02:14The groundbreaking research she conducted with her team
02:17has been published in the prestigious science journal Nature.
02:21She is also the recipient of numerous accolades.
02:24Ever the humble scientist, she attributes her personal success to team efforts.
02:29So we can be the best if we want to, you know?
02:32We just need the right ecosystem to thrive.
02:36And I was just so blessed that I had the right ecosystem,
02:40both in terms of infrastructure, support from the bosses,
02:44support from my staff, from my team.
02:47I think very important is, in order to be a good leader,
02:51you must also be a good team player.
02:53You cannot be one and not the other.
02:55And so I think that was a very important ingredient.
02:59Teamwork also helped her balance the demands of career and family,
03:03this time with her husband, whom she describes as very, very supportive.
03:08To younger women scientists in Malaysia,
03:11she shared this message of encouragement.
03:14Dare to dream big.
03:16Dare to fail.
03:17Don't be afraid to fail.
03:19But you have to get your...
03:22I mean, you can dream.
03:23That's very, very important.
03:24Please don't ever stop that.
03:25Don't ever think you can't do it.
03:27Don't let anybody else define your limit.
03:29But at the same time, you have to be grounded in good science.
03:32You have to get your basics, right?
03:36And what about doing it?
03:39I mean, you can do it.
03:41We need you.
03:42We need more women in science, you know?
03:43You can do it in science, you know?
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