When A&M-Central Texas assistant research scientist, Shalini Saini, was a little girl, she often dreamed about her future and where it might take her. Little did she know that her dreams – combined with her extraordinary work ethic and years of experience – would eventually deliver her to Central Texas – more than 8,000 miles from her roots in India.
The youngest of four children, she was born to father, Mahavir Singh, and mother, Nirmal, in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, known as “The Sugar Bowl of India,” the fertile upper region of Northern India. Her family’s home was nestled within a close-knit community that lived on the very perimeter of the Bhoro Ka Mandir, an ancient Hindu temple with a fort-like structure, this sacred space was more than just a place of worship—it was the heart of daily life for those residing within its walls.
“Life there was beautiful with simple living. Our neighbors were like our relatives,” she said. The sense of community that was there appreciated their culture, she said.
Looking back, she recalled herself as a curious and studious child. As a young student, she immersed herself in debates, poetry, sports, and school committees, often pushing boundaries despite sometimes limiting herself as a girl. Yet, her teachers saw her potential and encouraged her, instilling confidence in her, bit by bit.
By ninth grade, she was certain she would pursue a career in science. Though she had dreamed of becoming a physician as a child, her path took a turn in 11th grade when opportunities in mathematics-led fields steered her toward the fascinating world of engineering—specifically, Electronics Engineering.
“The environment was super competitive,” she admitted. She needn’t have worried that engineering was still largely considered a male domain. The years passed, and earning an Electronics Engineering diploma proved to be life changing. However, finding quality technical books in Hindi—the official academic language—was a challenge. The lectures there, she says, were in her native language, Hindi.
She spent hundreds of hours in the library, poring over English textbooks—doubling her already grueling academic workload. With no help, she painstakingly translated textbook material into her own language just to understand and complete her assignments. Little did she know, this relentless effort was preparing her for an unforeseen future—one that would take her to the USA, a possibility she had never even imagined.
Imagine being so hungry for knowledge, so naturally inquisitive and academically gifted, that instead of surrendering to disapprovals, she turned that into building her own momentum, acquiring the skills she needed.
Little did she know, the teacher who seemed to challenge her at every step was, in fact, wanting to keep her grounded, always striving for the stars. “I can never repay, but it gave me a lifelong purpose—to do the same for others,” she said with gratitude.
As an apprentice at the HCL-HP plant, she gained hands-on expertise in computer hardware—skills that would soon open doors to be part of Altos India Limited, a pioneering SMT plant in North India, manufacturing motherboards for DELL. However, the plant shut down, leaving her at a crossroads once again. But education became her saving grace. She pursued and completed a bachelor's and master’s in computer applications—all while raising a young daughter.
Each step – and sometimes each setback seemed to propel her forward. Never mind that, in many of these jobs, she was the only woman. That, she remembers, was the furthest thing from her mind.
An opportunity that would change the course of her life: her uncle asked her to come to the U.S. and pursue her graduate degree. It was 2008. She enrolled in the computer science graduate program at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, taking a full load of courses, and topping off her already ambitious schedule, joining social groups like Habitat for Humanity. “I absolutely loved the university culture,” she added without hesitation. “The people. The community. The city. The campus. All of it.”
“Oh, I thought I had stepped into heaven,” she laughed. At the University of Tuscaloosa, the breathtaking autumn hues stirred a deep sense of wonder—reminding her of both her distant home and the new life she was building. Leaving her young daughter behind was heartbreaking—but it became her greatest motivation to build a better life for Shruti, her daughter, her greatest gift, whose name itself symbolizes the very essence of knowledge.
In 2011, amidst a recession, she graduated and turned an internship at CTS Inc. in Birmingham into a full-time job through her dedication in software development. That success paved the way for another life-changing opportunity—joining the Department of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Again, the pattern was evident – maybe more to an outsider than it might be to the person involved. But each time she ventured out beyond whatever obstacle she was presented with, she turned it into an opportunity. Stop signs became springboards. And she was about to do it again.
Inspired by the medical research projects she supported; she embarked on her doctorate. Conversations with physicians across various medical fields planted the seeds for her passion: contributing to interdisciplinary research in healthcare security. And but a few years into her program when her professor at UAB told her he had taken a new position at Texas A&M University. Would she like to transfer with him, he asked.
She could stay and attempt to complete her degree in a familiar environment, or she could follow the colleague she knew and admired but in a whole new place. Once again, she went gracefully into the unknown.
Today, Shalini is fulfilled—professionally, personally, and even artistically—yet remains a lifelong learner, embracing life’s uncertainties as opportunities for growth. When not immersed in cybersecurity research or teaching, she continues to explore the ever-evolving field that has kept her heart full, and her intellect engaged for over three and a half decades.