Introduction
Hello everyone, my name is Gauri Kulkarni. I embarked on my academic journey in India with a clear vision and passion for the research industry. While my peers aspired to become doctors, I knew that my calling lay in the world of scientific exploration and discovery. This led me to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumentation and Control with a major in Biomedical Engineering.
During my undergraduate years, I developed a solid understanding of engineering principles. In my final year, I had the incredible opportunity to work on a project aimed at developing a device to detect Parkinson’s disease. This experience ignited a deep interest in neurodegenerative diseases, propelling me towards a future focused on understanding and finding solutions for these conditions.
To further my education and delve deeper into the field of Biomedical Engineering, I knew that pursuing a Master’s degree was essential. I soon realized that gaining admission to reputable schools in the United States without work experience would be challenging. Determined to acquire practical skills and knowledge, I decided to work for a year in a pharmaceutical company in India. This invaluable experience provided me with hands-on exposure to a wet lab environment and allowed me to work with cutting-edge analytical lab equipment.
In 2018, I made the decision to pursue my Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering in the United States. I was accepted into Binghamton University, where I immersed myself in my studies. With a particular focus on neurodegenerative diseases, I continued my research, eager to contribute to the growing body of knowledge and make a tangible impact in this field. I focused on detecting Alzheimer’s disease using digital biomedical engineering techniques. This research not only deepened my understanding of the field but also exposed me to various programming languages and software tools, enhancing my technical skills.
During my Master’s program, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with a PhD student. This collaboration sparked my initial interest in the field of oncology, as I witnessed the profound impact that research could have on improving cancer treatments and patient outcomes.
Upon completing my Master’s degree, I secured a job as a biomedical engineer. In this role, I primarily worked in process development, applying the engineering principles I had learned throughout my education. After a few months, I realized that my true passion lay in the research aspects of my work, particularly in the field of immuno-oncology.
Motivated by my passion for research and the desire to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in cancer treatment, I made the decision to join as a research associate in a biotechnology industry company. Here, I have been fortunate to work on groundbreaking research aimed at developing transformative cancer treatments for patients. Along the way, I have gained valuable skills, both technical and interpersonal, that have furthered my growth as a researcher.
Throughout my journey, I have come to realize that my training in engineering has been instrumental in my ability to excel in the research field. The problem-solving mindset, analytical thinking, and attention to detail that I developed during my engineering education have proven to be invaluable assets in my research endeavors.
As I look back on my experiences and the skills I have acquired, I am grateful for the opportunities that have shaped my path. With each step, my passion for research and dedication to improving patient outcomes in the field of immuno-oncology continue to drive me forward. From my beginnings in India to pursuing my passion in a foreign land, I have encountered numerous challenges along the way. But my determination and unwavering commitment to making a difference have propelled me forward.
Chemical Engineering Fellow
career options
The biotechnology and biomedical engineering fields offer a wide range of career options for individuals interested in applying science and technology to improve human health and advance medical research. These fields involve the use of biological systems, engineering principles, and technology to develop innovative solutions and products. The different careers offer opportunities for research, development, manufacturing, and consulting in various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, research institutions, and medical device companies.
The field of biotechnology and biomedical engineering is vast, with many diverse career paths. A few options have been described below, but these only encompass some career paths.
Chemical Engineering Fellow
skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Aseptic techniques in the biotechnology industry are essential for maintaining the sterility and integrity of biopharmaceutical products. These techniques involve creating a sterile environment, ensuring personnel are properly trained, sterilizing equipment, and performing aseptic manipulations. Regular monitoring and validation are also crucial to ensure the effectiveness of these techniques. By implementing aseptic techniques, biotechnology companies can prevent contamination and ensure the quality and safety of their products, meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining product integrity.
I used Minitab, Power BI software for design experiments and data analysis. Specifically, I used response surface design, Design of Experiment etc, and statistical analysis such as fitting, ANOVA etc.
In order to store the data correctly, I personally learnt relational and NOSQL graphical database and tried to make databases for our technical team. Afterwards, the company decided to outsource database creation, and I was assigned to be contact window of new database installation of our business unit.
Data analysis skills are crucial in biotechnology and biomedical engineering, allowing for interpreting and extracting insights from complex datasets. Proficiency in statistical analysis, knowledge of data analysis techniques, and familiarity with software and statistical packages commonly used in these fields are essential for effective data analysis.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Product development is always complicated since customers, sponsors and members in each function have their expectation and priorities. As project leader, I have to hear and understand their voice. A material company is trying to create something that does not exist in the world today. I need to clarify where the highest technical hurdles are and discuss with technology members on what tests and ideas need to conducted to find the right solution in time.
Communication is the most important part of product development. We need to communicate well to hear what the customer says. This will be translated to our technical target through internal communication. Then the plan is made, and I will raise this to corporate sponsors to have their buy
We cannot serve new materials to the world alone. Someone will design the material and prove that it work, other member optimize the processes so that we can make the material robustly so that we don’t create quality issues. We also need to write patent to protect the technology. We need to work as a team to succeed in business. As a project lead, my main work was to make sure each team members collaborate and function well as a team.
Kazutaka
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Chemical Engineering Fellow
:
In my master's program, I had several options. Accept an offer from a professor to go to a doctoral program, work for a chemical manufacturer in Japan or overseas, or work in the chemical industry analysis at a well-paid financial securities company. All of the paths were interesting and it was hard work to narrow down. Therefore, I researched myself. I tried to write down all the events that have become memories for me from my upbringing to the present, what I felt at that time, and why I think they remain as memories. As a result, I understood that I am a person who enjoys creating impactful products.
Then, I looked for a job mainly at major chemical manufacturers in Japan and overseas. After interviewing with several companies, I chose DuPont. While most interviews at other companies ask me about my research and how I approach the topic, DuPont was the only one that asked me about my way of thinking, motivation, and what path I would choose when I faced a problem. I remember about a minute before the end of the interview, the interviewer told me that he had forgotten to ask me about the research, but that it didn't matter, because he wanted to know about me. I got a call right after the interview and was told they wanted to hire me.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
Know which suffering you can enjoy. Work isn't always fun, and it's often tedious. I think it's good to know what kind of suffering is really painful and what kind of difficulties you can enjoy, so that you can select an enjoyable difficulty path rather than pure pain. For example, I seem to like the frustration of unraveling a messy situation one by one and finally getting rid of the fraying. This requires a lot of time and concentration, but I really like the pleasure when you were able to untie the knots, and let everyone know how to solve it. This kind of challenge I can take it. As a result, I got thrown into several messy projects, and I used a lot of time to carefully sort out the situation to make suggestion on how we should move forward.
This is how I differentiate myself in the market. Not many people want to work like this, but I can handle it. Although it should look totally different in your case, you should find something that not many people can do, but you somehow enjoy it. That is where you can compete. That is not just hard skill, but sometime soft skill or combination.
Final thoughts & tips
After I started my career in a material company, for the first seven years or so, I enjoyed the work I was given. I enjoy development, I feel like leading projects suits me, and I try to improve myself by taking on new challenges every year. Although things were going well, I started going through a period where I was wondering again what I really wanted to do. So I read a variety of books, including technical books, business books, future predictions, and philosophy books, and came up with a theme that I wanted to challenge for the rest of my life. I don't know if that vision has any value. I want to validate that throughout my life. But as long as I’m challenging in this direction, I am happy. I hope you can do something like that too.
Resources to dig in more
IChemE
the chosen professional home for over 31,000 chemical, biochemical and process engineers across the globe
AIChE, The Global Home of Chemical Engineers
With more than 60,000 members from more than 110 countries, AIChE has the breadth of resources and expertise you need whether you are in core process industries or emerging areas, such as translational medicine.
The Chemical Engineer
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