Snehal Fernandes
Snehal Fernandes is senior assistant editor at Hindustan Times, Mumbai. She writes on science and technology, environment, sustainable development, climate change, and nuclear energy. In 2012, she was awarded ‘The Press Club Award for Excellence in Journalism’ (Political category) for reports on Goa mining scam. Prior to HT, she wrote on education and transport at the Indian Express.
Articles by Snehal Fernandes

In her element: Talking to theoretical physicist Rohini M Godbole
PUBLISHED ON JAN 22, 2021 03:04 PM IST
Godbole, who recently received the Order of Merit from France, has dedicated her life to the pure sciences, and to bringing more women into the field. Why is that so crucial? Because what you study is partly defined by who you are, she says.

Four critical patients respond well to new drug; need to verify, say experts
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON AUG 24, 2020 12:06 AM IST

Urbanisation, agriculture, and climate crisis likely to take a heavier larger toll on some butterfly species
By Snehal Fernandes | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON AUG 19, 2020 03:17 PM IST
Some butterfly species are more prepared to survive displacement from their habitats than others, shows new study

Air pollution killing giant Asian honey bees: Study
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
UPDATED ON AUG 11, 2020 01:11 AM IST
A first-of-its-kind quantitative analysis on the impacts of air pollution on insects by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru indicates a decline in India’s insect population, including giant Asian honey bee.

Spice-based formula can target the Sars-Cov-2 virus in 60 minutes, claims IIT-B
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON AUG 06, 2020 12:00 AM IST

Researchers identify 33 molecules that can target 1 Covid-19 protein
PUBLISHED ON JUL 03, 2020 01:03 AM IST

‘State and Centre trying hard, but didn’t spread awareness about community risk’
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
UPDATED ON JUN 13, 2020 01:01 AM IST
As the state hit the one lakh mark for Covid-19 cases on Friday, Dr Satyajit Rath, retired scientist from Delhi-based National Institute of Immunology, and currently adjunct professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, spoke on factors behind the rise in Covid-19 cases, state’s handling of the outbreak and public health care system.

Researchers in India find evidence of Covid-19 genes in sewage
By Snehal Fernandes | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON JUN 09, 2020 03:33 PM IST
In April, IIT-Gn joined a global consortium of 51 premier universities and research institutes to undertake surveillance of sewage water to help determine and quantify excretion of the Sars-Cov-2 virus, in an effort to build an early warning system for Covid-19.

Cyclone Nisarga effect: Mumbai sees heavy rain, thunderstorms
PUBLISHED ON JUN 05, 2020 02:02 AM IST

After heatwave, Nisarga to give rain relief to Vidarbha
By Badri Chatterjee and Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JUN 05, 2020 01:14 AM IST

Damage to antennae stalls reopening of giant telescope
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JUN 05, 2020 01:12 AM IST

SoBo sees heavy rain, suburbs moderate; IMD may lift alert
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JUN 04, 2020 12:21 AM IST

Cyclone shuts global facility to study cosmos
By Snehal Fernandes | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON JUN 04, 2020 01:23 AM IST
Built and operated since 2002 by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the GMRT facility studies a wide range of subjects in modern astronomy including the origin and evolution of the universe, pulsars, quasars, radio galaxies.

How Mumbai steered clear of cyclones
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JUN 03, 2020 01:12 AM IST

Bengaluru-based firm produces two key enzymes for Covid-19 testing
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JUN 01, 2020 12:26 AM IST

Lockdown saved lives of 8K to 32K people: Report
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 28, 2020 11:55 PM IST

IISc experts to collect sound samples of Covid patients’ cough, breath
PUBLISHED ON MAY 26, 2020 12:25 AM IST

IISc develops technology for masks with potential to destroy or inactivate virus
By Snehal Fernandes | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAY 22, 2020 08:43 PM IST
In the absence of a vaccine, rapid manufacture of cost-effective multi-layered masks loaded with antiviral and antibacterial properties is vital because currently available masks are both expensive and inefficient in reducing viral transmission thereby putting the lives of high-risk groups such as health care workers in danger.

Covid-19 crisis: Is worst yet to come for Maharashtra? Experts weigh in
By Sachin Kalbag and Snehal Fernandes | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAY 20, 2020 04:19 AM IST
On Monday night, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray addressed the state on social media – a much-anticipated speech on the possible easing of lockdown restrictions in the state.

IIT-Bombay develops wash-resistant antiviral coating for masks
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 17, 2020 01:37 AM IST

Researchers at IISER develop low-cost ventilator
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 14, 2020 11:50 PM IST

Work from office for a week and from home for two weeks: Scientists suggest post lockdown plan
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAY 12, 2020 11:43 PM IST

Sealing areas with higher Covid-19 cases or 2-day work week with lockdown can contain virus, shorten epidemic duration: Analysis
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 12, 2020 12:52 AM IST

Mathematical model by IISER predicts dip in nationwide Covid cases by mid-May
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 09, 2020 12:48 AM IST

IIT-B develops way to detect asymptomatic Covid patients
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAY 07, 2020 01:04 PM IST

Analysis by TIFR shows dip in infection rate since April 11
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 06, 2020 11:54 PM IST

Researchers from three institutes develop algorithm for better contact-tracing
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 02, 2020 11:42 PM IST

Scientists bust myths about ‘immunity-boosting’ substances in fighting Covid-19
By Snehal Fernandes | Hindustan Times, Mumbai, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAY 01, 2020 05:28 AM IST
Any substance is considered effective only after rigorous testing through randomised clinical trials with Covid-19 patients, and additional laboratory analyses, the scientists said.

IIT-B’s e-token app to help grocers and buyers
By Snehal Fernandes, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON APR 29, 2020 11:36 PM IST

1 coronavirus-positive person infected 3-4 people, reveals analysis by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research scientist
PUBLISHED ON APR 29, 2020 12:20 AM IST