Ubuntu Stories
Rupsa Bhattacharjee – India
During my postdoctoral experience in Musculoskeletal MRI research in San Francisco, I experienced Ubuntu in action through global collaborations in MRI. Our work on musculoskeletal imaging brought together radiologists, engineers, and data scientists from across continents; each contributing a unique piece of expertise.
What struck me most was how collective progress always outweighed individual achievement. One project on bone and cartilage PET/MR imaging stays with me. My analysis only gained meaning when combined with Richard Souza’s biomechanics expertise, Thomas Link’s clinical wisdom, Feliks Kogan’s critical review and support, and Valentina’s algorithmic innovations. Sharmila not only guided my science but truly changed the course of my life, shaping how I see collaboration and mentorship, both professional and personal. Together, Eric, Jusuk, Katharina, Virginie, Zehra, Emma, Misung, and I created tools that none of us could have achieved alone. Along the way, the research also gave me lifelong friends like Dinil, Aniket, Radhika, Ananya, Valentina, Emma, Marco, Anthony, Judith, Maddie, Michelle, Gabbie, Feliks, Akshay, Johanna, Felix, Amy, Yang, Rich, Victor, Laura, Isabelle, and John who stood by me both inside and outside the lab, reminding me that science grows best in an atmosphere of trust and friendship.
Now, as I return to India to build a new imaging lab at IIT Madras, Ubuntu continues to guide me. Collaborating with hospitals, engineers, and international partners, I see clearly: I am because we are. MRI advances don’t belong to one researcher or one lab, but to the global community that builds them together.