One month after discussing personal websites as tools for scientific identity (an article that received around 29,000 views and strong engagement, highlighting widespread interest in this topic), I wanted to not just preach about their importance but walk the walk by encouraging my team to create their own. I observed the results during our recent lab retreat. When I asked my lab members to create websites using either coding approaches or builders like Wix and Weebly, I provided minimal guidance on content or design. The results were diverse and thoughtful. Each website reflected its creator’s research interests and scientific perspective. During our showcase, students shared their experiences—from initial hesitation to satisfaction—noting their platform choices, time commitments, and insights gained through the process.
Graduate student Anisha S Menon compiled these responses, adding helpful context to my earlier article. While I focused on professional benefits, hearing from students about their website-building experiences offers a practical perspective for other early-career scientists. The different approaches shown during our retreat provide realistic examples for others considering similar projects. These student testimonials suggest that personal websites can be valuable tools for scientific representation and career development, accessible to researchers with varying levels of technical expertise.
Manoj Kumar (https://mano2991.netlify.app/)
Shringika Soni (https://shringikasoni15.wixsite.com/shringikasoni)
Prakesh Kumar (https://cpge1988.wixsite.com/my-site-1)
Yogesh Sahu (https://yogeshsahu2030.wixsite.com/my-site-4)
Anisha S Menon (https://anisha8597.github.io/anisha/)
Rutuja Pendharkar (https://pendharkarrutuja20.wixsite.com/my-site)
Meghana Madhu (https://meghanamadhu199.wixsite.com/meghana)
Katha Sanyal (http://kathasanyal.github.io/kathasanyal)
Dhruva Kumar (https://dhruva97.github.io/Dhruva-Kumar-Kesireddy/)
Soupayan Banerjee (https://banerjeesoupayan7.wixsite.com/molecular-neuroscien)
Deepta Susan Beiji (https://deepta2020.github.io/Deepta/)
Pratikhya Acharya (https://pratikhya0acharya.github.io/pratikhyaacharya/)
Our lab members showed how valuable and accessible personal websites can be for scientists at any career stage. These websites went beyond simple resumes, becoming spaces where each researcher could express their unique scientific voice. They also serve as a medium to show that researchers’ lives aren’t shaped solely by experiments and results—but include writing, blogging, painting, and other creative pursuits. Personal websites reveal the full, multidimensional people behind the science. Whether using coding or simple website builders, everyone found a way to create their site with minimal technical hurdles. With today’s AI tools, making a website is easier than ever before. You reap what you sow, so why not sow the seeds now? You never know when you’ll benefit from having established your online presence. With so many helpful resources available, what are you waiting for? Your place in the scientific community—with all your professional and personal dimensions—is just a few clicks away.
