Dr. Parul Gupta, a clinical microbiologist from Bharatpur, is a gold medalist and aspiring entrepreneur in diagnostics. She bravely served as a front-line worker during COVID-19. Inspired by her paediatrician father and lecturer mother, Dr. Gupta aims to open the first diagnostic laboratory in Bharatpur.

Dr. Parul Gupta is a clinical microbiologist from Bharatpur. Her husband is a radiologist, and the couple has a ten-month-old son. She took up the medical profession, inspired by her father, who is a paediatrician. She always dreamed of becoming a doctor and thus worked towards it accordingly. At the same time, she was interested in teaching, having been influenced by her mother, who is a lecturer. Dr. Parul is currently fulfilling both of her interests as a faculty member at the Government Medical College and as a practicing clinical microbiologist. Currently, she is working towards opening a diagnostic laboratory, and she will also be the first one in Bharatpur to do so.

Born and brought up in Kota, Dr. Gupta completed her medical studies there. She prepared for her medical entrance exam at the Allen Institute, and thereafter, she got admission in Geetanjali Medical College & Hospital, Udaipur, in 2011. Here, she was quite active in academics as well as extracurricular activities. Dr. Parul scored consecutive gold medals at the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) for her academic and extracurricular activities. In her final year, she was also selected as “Ms. Geetanjali” for her achievements. Due to her academic excellence, she also got various scholarships for her education.

Thereafter, Dr. Parul planned to get her MD before getting married. She got into SMS Medical Hospital as a microbiologist. Soon she realised the importance of a microbiologist and how they play an integral part in the health system, conducting various tests, giving antibiotics, etc., which all happen after going through a microbiologist only. Thus, to pursue a full-fledged career in the field, she studied under some of the finest microbiologists in India, like Dr. Bharti Malhotra, Dr. Rajni Sharma, and Dr. Nitya Vyas, who had phenomenal knowledge about their fields. She feels a lot of gratitude for the knowledge and training she received from these mentors.

Later, in the second year of her MD, Dr. Gupta got married in Jaipur itself. She sees her husband as a perfect companion for her who encourages her towards a growing career.

Dr. Gupta shares that microbiology is not a clinical subject and, hence, not directly related to patients. A microbiologist diagnoses the disease caused by the bacteria or virus behind it and thus provides an antibiotic treatment for it.

Dr. Parul shares that it often used to be difficult for her to prepare for MBBS at home in a chaotic environment full of patients. She appeared for her MBBS exam with just five candidates and was later boycotted by her batch. Dr. Gupta also had an accident during that time, but no one came to help her. It was during those times that she came out to be stronger than ever before. After she completed her MBBS, it was a difficult decision for her to choose a non-clinical branch rather than a clinical branch, as suggested by her teachers.

Talking about the COVID days, Dr. Parul shares that she was asked to take a sample of a suspected COVID-19 patient returning from China. Though she was afraid in the first place, she kept her calm and recalled the confidence she had gained from her training period back in college. She prepared herself with a PPE kit and managed to take the sample successfully without getting infected. It was a challenging phase for her, wherein she worked 24/7 without any breaks as a frontline worker.

When asked about her role models, Dr. Parul shares that she draws inspiration from her mother and admires her for maintaining a great balance between her personal and professional lives. She has learnt many things from her mother, like swimming, stitching, writing, etc.

Dr. Gupta advises aspiring medical professionals to give their all in the field. She suggests they listen to the elderly and follow their advice. According to her, in the coming years, the scope of microbiologists is said to increase with the onset of viruses like Corona.

When asked about her take on education and experience, she says that while education just provided her with a foundation, experience made her learn more while dealing with different types of bacteria and viruses.

If Dr. Parul could go back in time, she would be a psychiatrist instead, as she believes that she understands people better.

Dr. Gupta enjoys watching television series, spending time with her husband, dancing, and eating out in her spare time.