For Lujendra Ojha, curiosity has always come first

Dr. Lujendra Ojha, now an assistant professor of planetary science at Rutgers University, traces his path from Kathmandu to the forefront of Mars research, a journey that began with a short trip to the United States at age 15. Raised in Nepal's capital, Ojha's early interests spanned music, theater, mathematics, and science. This innate curiosity, he advises, should always be prioritized in life, education, and career, suggesting that money should not be the sole objective.

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Protect your curiosity. In life, education, career and struggle, put curiosity first. Money is not the only goal in life.

Ojha's story is one of overcoming challenges in an unfamiliar environment. After moving to the U.S., he navigated a different education system and culture, eventually finding his niche in the fascinating field of planetary science. He has since contributed to over 40 scientific papers focusing on Mars and other celestial bodies.

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If a student crossed the line, beating was considered normal. Curiosity was treated as a violation of discipline.

Reflecting on his childhood in Kathmandu, Ojha was born in 1990, with ancestral ties to Doti in western Nepal. He remembers his upbringing in a middle-class family as happy, despite struggles. His mother worked in the dairy sector, while his father, a geologist, instilled an early appreciation for the earth sciences.

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Whenever someone with dark skin was seen, people would comment that they were Indian or from the Terai. It was surprising to see such behaviour even from teachers.

His early schooling in Kathmandu exposed him to a rigid educational structure where discipline often trumped curiosity, and physical punishment was common. Ojha also experienced discrimination based on skin color, noting that even teachers made prejudiced comments. This environment, he felt, prioritized rote memorization over creativity and independent thought. Despite these challenges, Ojha pursued his diverse interests, playing guitar in a band and participating in school plays, demonstrating an early passion for the arts alongside his scientific inclinations.

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I grew up in a middle-class family. There were struggles, but I was always happy.