Shreya Ahuja
Shreya Ahuja
Meet Shreya Ahuja! She is a Senior R&D Scientist at MilliporeSigma and is participating in our virtual panel discussion with women leaders in science on September 13, 2021. The panel discussion connects to our production of Digging Up Dessa, which tells the story of a young scientist struggling to process her grief and anger at the changes in her world and the comfort she discovers in a remarkable new friend, one only she can see and hear—Mary Anning. Mary was a 19th-century paleontologist who discovered a breakthrough dinosaur fossil at the age of 12 and became a pioneer in her field.
We asked Shreya about her career.
What do you do in your job?
I am a scientist and I conduct laboratory experiments to learn about viruses to see whether they can be used to deliver good genes into the body. This can essentially be used as curative gene therapy.
What is fun and exciting about your work?
No two days are the same and there are new challenges to be dealt with everyday. When I inject vials with test samples of bio-matter and initiate experimentation on multi-million dollar equipment, I know that I am generating data that helps understand and develop biotech and pharma products which help in curing diseases. This drives me to achieve more and aim higher.
What are you particularly proud of in your career?
I am proud of my accomplishments because my efforts contribute towards improving the society at large.
What made you choose your career?
As a child I accompanied my mother, a doctor by profession, to the hospital where I witnessed the unending suffering of humanity. I knew at that early age that I would go on to advance medical science by creating cures for diseases and illnesses that would alleviate the suffering of people forever.
Have you faced challenges as a woman in your career?
Women in science are constantly undermined in their efforts, sometimes unknowingly and sometimes even by other women. When a culture has ingrained in its psyche innate assumptions about the limitations of an entire class of people, all of humanity is shackled and forever held back until those assumptions are abolished forever.
Is this what you wanted to be when you grew up?
Yes. As a child I knew I wanted to be a powerful force of change. Today I think I am that person.
Anything else you would like to share?
Although my inner passion drives me everyday, I also need a nice espresso every day.
Shreya Ahuja, a native of New Delhi, India, immigrated to the United States to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana to obtain a Masters degree in Biotechnology with a certificate of business life sciences from the Kelley School of Business. Shreya currently works as a Senior R&D Scientist at MilliporeSigma in the Analytical Research and Development department. In her current role she is responsible for providing analytical support to biotechnology product and process development groups. Shreya has achieved many notable accomplishments in her tenure at MilliporeSigma including collaboration with a major pharmaceutical giant on developing a novel therapy to treat new patient populations. She was instrumental in establishing a multinational, 3-way collaboration with MilliporeSigma, a major biotech company in the U.S., and an international, world-class training institute in Dublin, Ireland. Within her group, Shreya is known as "the troubleshooting savior" after having solved several challenging problems in the lab. In 2019, Shreya was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as a 30 under 30 honoree for her professional and philanthropic achievements.