Her Story
About Soniya
Soniya Quick is a bioanalytical scientist whose career has been shaped as much by resilience and mentorship as by science itself.
Born and raised in India, Soniya's journey began with a simple ambition: earning admission to one of the country's prestigious IITs. At the time, she was not driven by a lifelong passion for chemistry or a clearly defined career path. She was motivated by the challenge and the opportunities that could come from it.
Once she arrived, the reality was humbling. Surrounded by exceptionally talented peers, she often questioned whether she belonged and whether she would successfully complete the program. Those experiences taught her one of the most important lessons of her life: success is not always about natural talent. More often, it is about resilience, perseverance, and the willingness to keep moving forward despite uncertainty.
During her undergraduate studies, Soniya earned the opportunity to work as a junior researcher in the Netherlands. Traveling internationally on her own for the first time expanded her perspective and gave her a glimpse of possibilities she had never imagined. The experience strengthened her confidence, broadened her worldview, and inspired her to approach her future with greater ambition and purpose.
Upon returning to India, she completed her degree and, for the first time, began to believe that a PhD might be within reach. That belief was not rooted in academic perfection but in the realization that determination often matters as much as ability. She went on to pursue a PhD in the United States, an experience she considers her greatest professional achievement. While the degree demanded intellectual rigor, perseverance, and personal sacrifice, it also provided something even more valuable: mentors who profoundly influenced the course of her life.
One mentor in particular helped redefine her understanding of leadership. Beyond scientific training, she observed someone who invested deeply in people, extended grace when it was easier to judge, challenged individuals to grow, and led by example both professionally and personally. Through those experiences, Soniya came to appreciate that the most meaningful impact we have often extends far beyond our job titles or accomplishments. A single person who believes in others can influence families, future generations, and countless lives they may never meet.
Today, Soniya works in pharmaceutical bioanalysis, supporting the development of therapies that have the potential to improve and save patients' lives. She also serves as a Laboratory Safety Officer and is passionate about helping early-career scientists develop confidence, technical capability, and a sense of possibility in their own careers.
Over time, her definition of success has evolved. While she values professional achievement, she believes success is measured less by titles, promotions, or recognition and more by the positive influence we have on others. The mentors who invested in her helped shape who she became, and she strives to create that same impact for the people around her.
Her guiding belief is simple: the opportunities we pursue can change our careers, but the people we invest in can change lives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Soniya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience and the people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
Throughout my journey, there were many moments when I questioned whether I belonged—whether it was studying at IIT, pursuing research opportunities abroad, or taking on the challenge of a PhD. I wasn't always the smartest person in the room, but I learned to keep moving forward, learn from setbacks, and stay committed to my goals.
Just as important were the mentors who invested in my growth. They challenged me, encouraged me, and demonstrated what leadership and integrity look like in practice. Their influence shaped not only my career, but also how I approach relationships, mentorship, and helping others grow. Looking back, I believe my success is the result of both perseverance and the generosity of people who took the time to invest in me.I attribute my success to resilience and the people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
Throughout my journey, there were many moments when I questioned whether I belonged—whether it was studying at IIT, pursuing research opportunities abroad, or taking on the challenge of a PhD. I wasn't always the smartest person in the room, but I learned to keep moving forward, learn from setbacks, and stay committed to my goals.
Just as important were the mentors who invested in my growth. They challenged me, encouraged me, and demonstrated what leadership and integrity look like in practice. Their influence shaped not only my career, but also how I approach relationships, mentorship, and helping others grow. Looking back, I believe my success is the result of both perseverance and the generosity of people who took the time to invest in me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to aim for impact over recognition.
Early in my career, I focused on my own achievements—delivering results, building expertise, and advancing professionally. Over time, I realized that lasting impact comes from sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and helping build stronger teams.
When I look back on a role, I don't just think about what I accomplished. I think about whether I contributed to a culture where people could learn, collaborate, and succeed. To me, that's a more meaningful measure of success than any title or promotion.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't confuse struggle with inability.
Early in my academic journey, I was surrounded by incredibly talented people and often questioned whether I belonged. What I've learned is that being challenged doesn't mean you're not capable—it often means you're growing. Science is a field filled with uncertainty, setbacks, and continual learning. The ability to persevere through those moments is often more important than being the smartest person in the room.
Give yourself permission to learn, make mistakes, and develop at your own pace.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our field is keeping pace with the rapid evolution of science and technology while maintaining scientific rigor.
At the same time, I think this creates one of the greatest opportunities for the next generation of scientists. The future will belong to professionals who can bridge disciplines—combining strong scientific fundamentals with data literacy, effective communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
Early in my career, I believed that technical expertise would be the primary driver of success. Over time, I've learned that the ability to learn continuously, adapt to change, and work effectively with others is just as important. For young scientists entering the field, developing those skills alongside scientific expertise can open doors far beyond the laboratory.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are resilience, integrity, growth, and investing in people.
Resilience has been a defining theme throughout my life. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my journey came with uncertainty and self-doubt, from studying at IIT to pursuing a PhD and building a career in pharmaceutical science. Those experiences taught me that growth often comes from embracing challenges rather than avoiding them.
Integrity is equally important to me. I believe in treating people fairly, giving them the benefit of the doubt, and doing the right thing even when it is not the easiest path. I've been fortunate to learn this from mentors whose character influenced me as much as their professional expertise.
I also value continuous growth and learning. I didn't begin my career with a clear roadmap, and much of my development came from being willing to step outside my comfort zone and pursue opportunities that stretched me personally and professionally.
Finally, I value investing in people. Looking back, the individuals who had the greatest impact on my life were those who took the time to mentor, encourage, and challenge me. Their influence shaped not only my career, but also how I approach relationships, family, and leadership. Because of that, I try to create the same kind of positive impact in the lives of others whenever I can.
At the end of the day, I hope people remember me less for what I achieved and more for how I treated others and the positive influence I had on their lives.
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