Ashoka-EDF Climate Corps Blogs

How a Biology Major is sowing a Greener Future

What’s the magic ingredient when it comes to charting a career towards Climate action? Jatin Khaimani would say that it's a combination of biology, chemistry and natural science. 

Born in Agra and raised in Gwalior, India, Jatin's journey to the climate space was neither linear nor preordained. His academic path initially nurtured a curiosity for forensic science and biotechnology. It wasn’t until his studies at the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal that his love for environmental science took root. “Every time I applied to science-based competitions, I realized that I was often working on problem statements related to the environment,” Jatin recalls.

His first brush with climate change research came while developing a biosensor to detect methane emissions—a critical greenhouse gas that often goes unnoticed in factory settings. This project ignited a passion for sustainability, and in 2023, his growing interests led him to the Ashoka - Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship.

Tackling Climate Challenges at Mahindra

During his fellowship, Jatin was matched with Mahindra Group’s Sustainability team. His primary task was to research and compile a whitepaper on the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture. The whitepaper would serve as a vital resource for business leaders within the company’s agribusiness vertical, Swaraj, which is India’s leading manufacturer of farm tractors.

“My time here was a perfect combination of my skills coming together and I loved working,” says Jatin. “I even developed a knack for content writing which is what I currently do.” 

Drawing from extensive research and consultations with experts in both India and abroad, Jatin’s whitepaper offered an in-depth analysis of how climate change is impacting agriculture. He emphasized the importance of climate-smart agriculture, integrating theoretical insights, graphical data, and real-life case studies, including his hands-on experience on the cacao farms. 

Jatin’s paper also laid the groundwork for risk assessment and future sustainability strategies for the company. These efforts culminated in a presentation for Mahindra’s leadership, solidifying the company’s commitment to addressing climate risks in agriculture. 


A Click Away from Climate Corps Network

Beyond the technical skills he honed, Jatin says that his engagement with the EDF alumni network helped him understand the many career paths available within the climate space. 

“The Climate Corps network was just a click away and is still a click away,” he says, looking back at his interactions with experts, peers, and alumni from around the world. 

He connected with previous fellows, some of whom had transitioned into leading roles at consultancies, startups, and multinational corporations. These conversations were pivotal in shaping his own post-fellowship journey. Now working as a consultant himself, Jatin credits the fellowship with helping him find his niche in climate advocacy. 


A Call to Future Fellows

For aspiring Climate Corps applicants, Jatin offers this advice: “If you believe you have a skill that you are holding back to fully explore, then I think the fellowship is the time to test and hone it further. There are no restrictions—just opportunities to experiment and grow.” He encourages applicants to approach the program with an open mind and a willingness to learn, as the experience can transform not only their careers but their perspectives on the world.

Jatin Khaimani’s journey through the Climate Corps Fellowship is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time. 

(Connect with Jatin on LinkedIn here)

Article by Mohammed Rayaan | Edited by Paridhi Mishra, Aradhana Gupta and Charu Seth, PhD


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Madhavi Menon

Professor of English, Ashoka University

Director, Centre for Studies in Gender & Sexuality

Director of the PhD Programme in English

Ph.D. Tufts University

Madhavi Menon is an eminent theorist and scholar of gender, sexuality, politics, and identity. 

She joined Ashoka University in 2013 as one of its founding faculty members. She went on to establish the university’s Centre for Gender & Sexuality Studies (CSGS), which is the first of its kind in India. Previously, she was a professor at Ithaca College and American University

Most prominently known for her work on queer theory and Shakespeare, she has also edited the collection Shakesqueer and written three books on Shakespeare and sexuality. She is also most recently the author of Infinite Varieties: A History of Desire in India and Law of Desire: Rulings on Sex & Sexuality in India. 

In addition to being Director of CSGS, she is the Director of the Ph.D. programme in English and Professor of English at Ashoka University.