Shobana Jayapalan

I attribute my success to the values instilled in me by my family and upbringing, which have guided me in making thoughtful and purposeful career decisions. I believe that taking ownership of my work, pursuing my goals with determination, and remaining committed to continuous learning are essential to professional growth. Working in the biotechnology industry gives my career a deeper sense of purpose because our work ultimately contributes to improving patient lives and addressing diseases and disorders that still require innovative treatments. My success has been driven by combining a strong scientific foundation with a willingness to embrace advancing technologies, solve complex challenges, and take responsibility for making meaningful contributions to the field.

The best career advice I’ve received is to take ownership of my career. Mentors and experienced colleagues can provide guidance, perspective, and encouragement, but ultimately, I am responsible for deciding what I want to learn, which opportunities I want to pursue, and what kind of professional I want to become.

That mindset has taught me to take initiative, seek out people who challenge my thinking, and remain open to opportunities that push me beyond my comfort zone. I’ve learned that career growth is rarely a straight path, and some of the most meaningful opportunities come from being willing to take an unfamiliar step.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that I don’t need to have my entire career mapped out. I need the confidence to take the next step, the humility to learn from others, and the ownership to keep shaping a career that creates meaningful impact.

My advice to young women entering the biotechnology industry is to trust your knowledge, speak up, and take ownership of your career.

At different points in my career, there were times when I was the youngest person or one of the few women in the room, and I sometimes hesitated to share my perspective because I was conscious of how others might perceive me. Over time, I learned that waiting until you feel completely confident can mean missing opportunities to contribute and grow.

You don’t have to know everything to have a valuable perspective. If you have an idea, a question, or a different way of approaching a problem, have the confidence to bring it forward. At the same time, listen carefully, understand your environment, and communicate with purpose.

I also encourage women to advocate for themselves. Make your contributions visible, seek mentors who challenge and support you, and pursue opportunities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

Most importantly, don’t feel that you need to change who you are to succeed. Confidence isn’t about being the loudest person in the room; it’s about trusting your perspective, having the courage to share it, and knowing when your voice can add value. Your career is yours to shape, and you deserve to take up space in the rooms where decisions are being made.

One of the biggest opportunities in biotechnology today is the ability for scientists to expand beyond traditional laboratory roles and apply their expertise through customer engagement, project leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and broader business discussions. For women in STEM, this can also mean developing the confidence and communication skills needed to transition from primarily hands-on technical work into more visible and collaborative leadership roles. I see tremendous potential in advances in technology, the growing complexity of novel therapies, and the increasing need for reliable analytical solutions. These developments create opportunities for professionals who can combine strong scientific expertise with adaptability, leadership, and effective communication. For me, the opportunity is to continue learning, embrace emerging technologies, and apply sound scientific principles to challenges that can ultimately make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

The values that are most important to me, both personally and professionally, are positivity, resilience, collaboration, and maintaining a strong connection with the people around me. I am naturally easygoing and make a conscious effort to find something positive even when circumstances become challenging. I believe life and work will always have highs and lows, but maintaining a positive mindset helps me stay focused, adaptable, and motivated to keep moving forward. I also value collaboration and building strong relationships with the people I work with, because understanding and supporting one another creates a stronger team and helps us accomplish more together.