Keerthana

As I was finishing my undergraduate degree, I felt that I wanted to keep learning. I decided to pursue an MS in Biotechnology because it would allow me to dive deeper into topics that I hadn’t previous learned about (such as stem cells), while also allowing me to expand my knowledge of the Biotech/Pharma industry. In undergrad, you learn a lot of basic biology but don’t get to know about the full process of drug development into FDA approval and entering the market. My time at Tandon was vital to filling in these gaps in my knowledge. I now have a much better understanding of the pipeline therapeutics go through all the way from the lab to patients.

My experience at Tandon helped me secure my first job after graduation as an Operations Assistant at the Ford Center Incubator at The Rockefeller University. Working closely with several Biotech startups, I help ensure that lab operations run smoothly and safely. My time at NYU gave me the knowledge I need to understand what startups face in the early stages and allow me to keep up during conversations with both the scientists and business development individuals at the companies.

Beyond preparing me for my career, my time at Tandon also gave me a deep appreciation for the vast potential in Biotech to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. Everything from rising cancer rates in young people to microplastic pollution could be tackled by employing biological techniques.