Dr Manbeena Chawla: Giving Science a Clear, Credible Voice at BioSpectrum

In a time when scientific breakthroughs are reshaping industries and everyday life, the ability to communicate science clearly and responsibly has become essential. Dr Manbeena Chawla, Executive Editor at BioSpectrum, has built her career around this responsibility. With a strong academic foundation and years of editorial leadership, she plays a key role in shaping how life sciences is understood by industry leaders, policymakers, and the wider public.

Dr Manbeena’s professional journey reflects a thoughtful shift from scientific research to science communication. After completing her doctoral degree in Microbiology in 2016, she recognized that her interest extended beyond the laboratory. She was drawn to storytelling, analysis, and the broader impact of science on society. This interest led her to BioSpectrum, a leading biotechnology-focused media platform, where she found a natural space to combine scientific rigor with journalism. Over nearly a decade with the organization, she has continued to grow as a leader, editor, and communicator, with each year adding depth to her perspective.

Leadership Grounded in Purpose and Trust

As a leader, Dr Manbeena believes that clarity and accountability form the foundation of effective management. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear sense of direction and communicating that vision in a way that teams can understand and align with. For her, leadership is not about authority but responsibility. She holds herself accountable before expecting the same from others, which helps build credibility and trust.

Dr Manbeena also values empathy and ethical conduct in leadership. She believes strong leaders earn long-term respect by acting with integrity and consistency. Rather than overseeing every detail, she focuses on empowering her team. By delegating responsibility and encouraging independent thinking, she creates an environment where individuals feel trusted and motivated to grow.

Encouraging Innovation and Resilience

In the fast-moving world of science journalism, innovation depends on continuous learning. At BioSpectrum, Dr Manbeena supports training, upskilling, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that help teams stay current and adaptable. Workshops, mentorship programs, and collaborative projects allow employees to explore new ideas while strengthening their core skills.

Regular editorial reviews play an important role in building resilience. These discussions help teams reflect on outcomes, learn from setbacks, and apply insights to future work. Dr Manbeena believes that innovation thrives when people are encouraged to learn quickly and move forward with confidence. Recognizing creative contributions and adaptive thinking further reinforces a culture that values progress and collaboration.

Addressing the Challenges of Science Journalism

Science journalism in India presents unique challenges, particularly due to varying levels of scientific literacy among general audiences. Complex topics often need to be simplified without losing accuracy, which can be difficult in fast-paced news cycles. In many cases, science stories are also handled by general reporters who may not have formal scientific training, increasing the risk of oversimplification or misinterpretation.

Dr Manbeena’s background in microbiology has been a significant advantage in navigating these challenges. Her training allows her to evaluate research critically, understand data, and recognize uncertainty. At the same time, her years in journalism have taught her how to reframe scientific information in ways that are engaging and accessible. She credits strong mentorship early in her career for helping her adapt academic rigor to journalistic storytelling without compromising accuracy.

Key Milestones and Professional Growth

One of the most defining milestones in Dr Manbeena’s career has been her long-term association with BioSpectrum. Completing close to nine years with the organization reflects both commitment and adaptability in a rapidly evolving media landscape. During this time, she has contributed to strengthening editorial standards and expanding the publication’s engagement with stakeholders across government, industry, startups, and academia.

Covering emerging areas such as genomics, cell and gene therapy, artificial intelligence in drug discovery, and personalized medicine has required constant learning and editorial evolution. These experiences have reinforced her belief that science journalists act as translators, connecting innovation with decision-makers and society at large.

A Forward-Looking Vision

Looking at the future, Dr Manbeena sees the life sciences sector entering a phase of rapid transformation. Advances in artificial intelligence, precision medicine, synthetic biology, and cloud-enabled research platforms are expected to accelerate discovery and reshape healthcare and sustainability.

For BioSpectrum, this evolution brings an opportunity to deepen its role as a trusted interpreter of science. Dr Manbeena believes that as technologies become more complex, science journalism must evolve beyond traditional reporting. Journalists will need stronger scientific literacy to interpret data-driven insights while maintaining ethical standards and public trust. Her vision centers on accuracy, relevance, and responsible storytelling.

Impact on Industry and Society

At the heart of Dr Manbeena’s work is a belief that science journalism serves a public purpose. Ethical reporting, transparency, and accountability are central to her editorial approach. She views clear communication as essential to building trust between scientists, industry, policymakers, and the public.

Her advice to emerging leaders in science journalism reflects this mindset. She encourages them to develop a deep understanding of science, uphold ethical standards, and learn how to communicate complex ideas clearly. While digital tools and artificial intelligence offer new ways to reach audiences, she believes they must be used carefully to enhance credibility rather than undermine it.

A Steady Editorial Voice

Dr Manbeena Chawla’s career highlights the impact of thoughtful leadership in science communication. Through her work at BioSpectrum, she continues to shape informed conversations around science, innovation, and policy. As science increasingly influences how societies grow and adapt, her role as an editor and leader ensures that these developments are communicated with clarity, responsibility, and purpose.