I am Dr. Wafia Masih, Chief Scientist and Head of the Science Outreach Resource Center at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), one of the 38 laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR India) with a pan-India presence. With a Ph.D. in Science Communication and a Master’s in Management Science, I bring over three decades of experience in managing science outreach, digital pedagogy, and institutional initiatives at CSIR-NCL.​​

My work focuses on conceptualizing and leading large-scale science engagement programs that connect students, teachers, and the public with CSIR’s research and technologies. I head the Science Outreach Resource Center and serve as the Nodal Officer for CSIR Jigyasa at NCL, where I have played a central role in designing and implementing the CSIR Jigyasa Virtual Lab and a wide range of immersive programs such as “One Day as a Scientist”. These initiatives, along with national collaborations and digital platforms, have enabled hands-on and virtual STEM experiences for thousands of learners across India.​

My academic and professional development includes a Ph.D. on rendering scientific discoveries in simple prose, a Master’s in Management Science, and additional qualifications in journalism, computer software, and business management, which together support a holistic approach to science communication. I continuously update my skills through workshops and courses, including training on Augmented and Virtual Reality at C-DAC Mohali, ICT Accessibility & Standards at C-DAC Pune, and an international science communication course offered by Coventry University (UK) and Stellenbosch University. I have also completed a Basic Astronomy Course and specialized training in CSIR Technology Entrepreneurship and Patenting in India and abroad.​​

I mentor interdisciplinary student teams and interns in developing educational games, comics, digital content, and outreach portals, ensuring that all resources remain freely accessible to schools and communities. My efforts in designing innovative programs, teacher trainings, and digital platforms have strengthened CSIR-NCL’s role as a national leader in science communication and outreach. I also assisted the late Dr. L. K. Doraiswamy in writing and compiling the history volume Excellence in an Overlapping Culture: The Big History of India’s National Chemical Laboratory, reflecting my long-standing engagement with documenting NCL’s scientific and societal legacy.