Introduction
Hello everyone! I am Swarali Lele, originally from India and currently residing in Boston. My fascination with biology began in my childhood as I immersed myself in the captivating documentaries of Discovery and National Geographic. A pivotal moment for me was discovering the chapter on ‘Biotechnology’ in my 9th-grade science book, which ignited my passion for this field. It opened my eyes to the potential of uncovering the underlying causes of diseases and developing innovative medicines. I pursued an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology Engineering in India which had a blend of core concepts in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and engineering aspects such as bioprocess engineering, biological thermodynamics, fermentation technology, etc.
To deepen my understanding of biotechnology and enhance my laboratory skills, I enrolled in the master's program in Medical Biotechnology at the University of Illinois Chicago. The curriculum, combined with departmental seminars led by esteemed professors, sparked my curiosity about immunology and cell biology. I became particularly fascinated by how our immune system protects against foreign invaders, and how its failure can lead to conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases. I explored the intricate communication between molecules and cells in our bodies and how this knowledge can be harnessed for gene and cell therapies. My thesis research focused on regulatory T cells and autoimmunity, providing me with invaluable hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the field. Upon graduating in 2019, my expertise in T cell culture and related analytical assays led me to my current job as an associate scientist at Editas Medicine, a mid-sized company developing ex vivo and in vivo therapies against genetic diseases.
Over the five years, my role at Editas has evolved significantly. I began by contributing to the development of allogeneic immune cell-based therapies against oncology for an external collaborator and internal projects. I learned the application of CRISPR-based gene editing tools to modify immune cell DNA, enhancing their ability to target and destroy cancer cells. It further strengthened my understanding of cell biology and immunology. As industry trends and company priorities shifted, I transitioned to developing in vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy against sickle cell disease that can ultimately offer a potential permanent cure. In this phase, I continued using skills such as cell culture, flow cytometry, and cloning, while also acquiring new analytical techniques, honing my skills in maintaining a detailed lab notebook and presenting data.
Throughout my career journey, I have embraced countless opportunities to learn new skills and rise to new challenges. I am excited to share more about my experiences with all of you!
Molecular Biology Fellow
career options
A degree in Biotechnology or a related field generates a variety of career opportunities. While many graduates gravitate towards hands-on laboratory work in various sectors of the biopharmaceutical industry, academia, non-profit institutions, and hospitals, there are numerous other exciting pathways to explore. The following list provides more details about these professions.
Molecular Biology Fellow
skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
The primary screening and discovery of biomolecules are carried out in primary or cancerous mammalian cells to evaluate their potency or inhibitory effect. On the other hand, bacterial cells are used for cloning plasmids and viral vectors. Both applications require expertise in aseptic cell culture techniques. My expertise was cultivated through rigorous lab classes during my master’s program and my thesis work was deeply rooted in cell culture methodologies. As my current job involves in vitro work, I implement these skills with precision in my daily work.
Flow cytometry is a cornerstone technique in my field, enabling the analysis of cells and their characteristics based on surface or intracellular markers. I gained proficiency in this technique through an elective course during my master’s, applying it in my thesis to study regulatory T cells. This expertise remains a vital part of my toolkit in my current role to derive meaningful insights about immune cells including HSCs.
Crafting a well-designed experiment is only the beginning; the ability to analyze and interpret data is essential for advancing scientific understanding. I navigate various instruments equipped with specialized software for raw data analysis and utilize tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, and GraphPad Prism for effective data visualization. My lab courses provided me with a strong foundation in interpreting results and distinguishing significant observations, allowing me to transform data into actionable judgment.
The scientific knowledge is tracked and transferred through reports and scientific papers. As an associate scientist, I maintain electronic lab notebooks recording the details of experiments. I helped write research papers during my thesis and even in my current job.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Effective communication is essential for sharing ideas, planning projects, and discussing results. Verbal and written forms of communication are used daily within organizations. My experience in writing scientific papers and presenting seminars has equipped me to tailor my communication style to different audiences, ensuring clarity and engagement.
Critical thinking is vital for analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information from diverse sources. It allows us to draw informed conclusions, especially when unexpected challenges arise. Decision-making is necessary in navigating options and selecting the best course of action based on available resources and data.
Organizations thrive on the collective strength of their people and collaboration is key to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. Many projects require a broad skill set that no single individual may possess. Thus, teamwork can create innovative solutions.
Swarali
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Molecular Biology Fellow
:
During my undergraduate studies in India, I recognized the limited job and research opportunities in biotechnology, which inspired me to pursue graduate studies in the United States. The journey was exhilarating, as I embraced the professional and cultural transformations that came with it. The thesis work gave me a snippet of conducting a literature review, formulating research questions, designing experiments, analyzing the results, and envisioning future directions - an iterative process that mirrors practice in the industry.
As I prepared to enter the job market in 2019, I sought advice from my seniors about current trends and enlisted their help in refining my resume and cover letter. I updated my LinkedIn profile and set alerts for new openings in my areas of interest. Rather than applying indiscriminately, I focused on positions that aligned with my skills and experiences. By exploring company websites, I gained insights into their science and culture, enabling me to tailor my cover letters more effectively. The job application and interview preparation process were both rigorous and demanding.
One memorable experience occurred during my application for my current position. After reviewing my resume, my hiring manager reached out to schedule a call and shared a poster he had presented at the prestigious European Cell and Gene Therapy (ESGCT) conference. This poster detailed ongoing projects within the prospective team and focused on gene editing in T cells and the assays used to assess off-target effects. While my coursework provided me with a foundational understanding of gene editing, many concepts in the poster were unfamiliar to me. Driven by curiosity, I immersed myself in research, reading relevant papers, and seeking clarification from my lab postdoc on complex topics. This preparation paid off during the interview, where I was able to confidently answer questions, ultimately leading to a job offer after subsequent rounds.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
I would tell my younger self to stay curious about the latest advancements in technology. The biotech field is evolving rapidly, and it is essential not to remain within your comfort zone. Beyond the foundational lab skills, learning computation biology, bioinformatics, and machine learning are key to staying ahead.
I would also encourage younger me to connect with others and ask questions without hesitation. Language barriers can be intimidating, especially when English is not your first language. I remember feeling self-conscious about making grammatical mistakes, but I have learned that confidence often outweighs those errors. Most people understand and appreciate the effort to communicate.
Final thoughts & tips
Working in the biotechnology field is thrilling, as it positions me at the forefront of innovation, where I have an opportunity to develop therapies for patients with unmet medical needs. Navigating the completion of my master’s degree, acclimating to a new education system in a foreign country, and securing my first industrial job needed patience, perseverance, hard work, and good presentation skills.
As an international student facing the pressure of a tight visa deadline, I found the job search challenging, with a narrow window to find opportunities. It took nearly three months since the start of my job application process to receive a couple of offers. However, this experience taught me an invaluable lesson: you don’t need to know EVERYTHING to secure a job. At the early stages of your career, recruiters or hiring managers often value your willingness to adapt and learn new concepts and skill sets just as much as your existing knowledge. The key is to remain confident and trust in your abilities!
Resources to dig in more
A tour of The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) where the CRISPR-Cas9 system was invented
IGI is a research organization based at the University of California, Berkeley, founded by the Nobel award winner Jennifer Doudna, a co-inventor of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system
101 of Gene Therapy
Details about the ongoing research and application of gene, related cell and nucleic acid therapies.
Genetics Unzipped: podcast
A podcast that explores genetics and biotechnology topics in an engaging format.
