Laboratory products that are used by researchers, pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic laboratories around the world, help scientists study diseases, develop new diagnostic tests, and improve healthcare.
Sai Aparna, our next pathbreaker, Scientist in the Quality Control Department at Meridian Bioscience (Germany), develops products used in molecular diagnostics and life science research.
Sai Aparna talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her brief stint in the IT industry at TCS, and realising that her true passion still lay in biotechnology which motivated her to return to the field of life sciences.
For students, don’t worry if you don’t have your entire future planned. Very few people do. Be open to learning, don’t be afraid to change direction if you discover something you truly enjoy, and don’t compare your journey with someone else’s.
Sai Aparna, tell us about your background.
I grew up in Mayiladuthurai, a town in the central coastal region of Tamil Nadu, in an average household where education was always considered the key to a better future. As a child, I was very fond of Tamil literature and history, and I even dreamed of building a career in literature or the arts.
Interestingly, science was not always my favourite subject. It was only in the 9th standard, thanks to a few wonderful teachers who made the subject so engaging, that I developed a genuine interest in science. Until then, I was an average student academically. Those teachers not only helped me enjoy science but also inspired me to believe in my own abilities. Looking back, they played a significant role in shaping my future.
Outside the classroom, I loved reading books by Tamil authors, which nurtured my curiosity and imagination. Like many students, I did not have every step of my future planned from childhood. However, in the 9th standard, I developed a strong dream of becoming a doctor.
What did you do for graduation and post-graduation?
After completing school, I was unable to secure admission to medical school because my scores were not high enough. Instead of giving up on my dream of contributing to healthcare, I chose Biotechnology for my undergraduate studies. It felt like it was the closest path to my original goal, as biotechnology also plays a vital role in improving healthcare, agriculture, and people’s lives. I completed my Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) degree in Biotechnology from SASTRA University in Tamil Nadu.
After my undergraduate studies, I worked in the IT industry for about three and a half years at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Although I learned many valuable professional skills there, I realised that my true passion still lay in biotechnology. That realisation motivated me to return to the life sciences.
In 2019, I moved to Germany to pursue my Master’s in Agrobiotechnology at Justus Liebig University in Giessen.
I had four Master’s admission offers — two in Bioinformatics, one in Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources, and one in Agrobiotechnology. Since my goal was to move back into experimental biotechnology after three and a half years in IT, I decided against Bioinformatics because it would still involve considerable programming.
My choice then came down to Insect Biotechnology and Agrobiotechnology. At that time, insect biotechnology was quite specialized and the industry around insect-derived products was not as established as it is today. So, considering that I was already making a major career transition, I chose Agrobiotechnology as a broader and relatively safer option that would keep more opportunities open. Despite the name, it wasn’t limited to traditional agriculture and gave me a broader biotechnology foundation.
I didn’t apply for a scholarship before coming to Germany because I wasn’t aware of how the scholarship system worked here. However, during my Master’s, I received scholarships twice based on academic excellence and my grades — once for six months and once for seven months — amounting to close to €8,000 in total.
During my master’s, I had the opportunity to work with different research groups through coursework, internships, and my master’s thesis. My thesis focused on developing a rapid molecular diagnostic test for respiratory viruses using molecular biology techniques. These experiences strengthened both my technical skills and my confidence, and they confirmed that I had made the right decision to build my career in the life sciences.
What made you choose this career?
I don’t think there was one single moment that made me choose this career, and I wouldn’t say I am someone who gets influenced very easily. Instead, I have always been guided by ideas and values that resonated with me. From a young age, I wanted to do something meaningful, even though I wasn’t always sure what that would be.
My interest in life sciences began because of my biology teachers in school. Their enthusiasm made biology one of my favourite subjects and inspired me to learn more. During my undergraduate studies, Senior Assistant Professor Dr. Meera, who taught Biomaterials, had a lasting impact on me. She had a wonderful way of explaining complex ideas in a simple and engaging manner. She showed me how a passionate teacher can make students truly enjoy a subject.
Another important influence was Dr. V. Badrinath, Dean of the School of Management at SASTRA University. Through his interactions with students, he introduced us to opportunities in Germany and encouraged us to think beyond our comfort zones.
Two thoughts have stayed with me throughout my journey. One is a quote by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam about determination being the foundation of success. The other is the famous Thirukkural,
தெய்வத்தான் ஆகாதெனினும் முயற்சி தன்
மெய்வருத்தக் கூலி தரும்.
That reminds us that sincere effort never goes unrewarded.
A classmate of mine from UG, Rasikapriya, once told me, “There is a difference between what you CAN do and what you WANT to do.” That simple sentence made me realise that although I could work in IT, my real interest was biotechnology.
The biggest turning point in my life was leaving a stable IT career and moving to Germany for higher studies. It was not an easy decision, but looking back, it shaped not only my career but also made me more confident, independent, and resilient.
How did you plan your career path?
I never had a perfect roadmap for my career. Instead, I always asked myself one simple question: “What is the next step that will help me learn and grow?”
For my bachelor’s thesis, I worked for seven months as part of a group in my university’s downstream processing laboratory. Our project focused on the extractive fermentation of a fibrinolytic enzyme from bacteria isolated from slaughterhouse soil.
In simple terms, fibrinolytic enzymes are enzymes that can help break down fibrin, which is one of the main components involved in blood clot formation. We chose soil from a slaughterhouse because it had been exposed to blood and biological material for a long time. Our hypothesis was that some bacteria living in that environment might have adapted to utilize or break down blood-related components and could therefore produce enzymes with fibrinolytic activity.
We isolated bacteria from the soil, cultured them, and looked for fibrinolytic activity. We did find some activity, and the project also involved studying how the enzyme could be separated during fermentation using an aqueous two-phase extraction system, or ATPe. Since it was a small lab-scale Bachelor’s project, we didn’t take it further into detailed characterization or larger-scale development.
After completing my bachelor’s degree, I hoped to work in biotechnology. However, the only job offer I received was from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity, I accepted the job and made the most of it.
At TCS, I worked on a Warehouse Management System for a British retailer. Although it was different from biotechnology, I learned valuable skills such as professionalism, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and taking ownership of my work.
Over time, I realised my long-term interest still lay in biotechnology. While working full-time, I learned German and completed the B1 level, with the goal of studying in Germany. During my language classes, I met people who shared the same dream, and we encouraged one another throughout the language examination and application process for master’s. That experience taught me how motivating it is to be surrounded by like-minded people.
Moving to Germany was one of the biggest decisions of my life. During my master’s, I supported myself through part-time jobs while also working as a student assistant, completing an internship in molecular diagnostic.
A typical master’s degree is 2 years. But you did it for 5 years. Was that intentional?
This is a question I’ve been asked quite often, especially by people outside Germany. I started my Master’s in 2019 winter and completed it in July 2024 summer. Although the standard duration was two years, my university allowed up to 14 semesters, or seven years, to complete the program.
I finished all my theory modules within the first one and a half years. What took longer was finding and completing my mandatory industry internship and later finding the right master’s thesis position. Finding these positions in Germany can be quite competitive and the pandemic made it more difficult.
In Germany, extending your studies for valid reasons is quite common, if you maintain academic progress and complete the degree within the university’s permitted timeframe. So here, extending the duration doesn’t mean that you are academically unsuccessful. In my case, that additional time also gave me valuable industry and research experience.
I worked as a Student Assistant at the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute in Giessen, in a research group studying mitochondrial physiology and lung diseases, including conditions such as COPD.
In simple terms, the group was trying to understand what changes inside lung cells during chronic lung diseases and how those changes could potentially be targeted for treatment. My role was mainly on the experimental side. I worked with mammalian cells and lung tissue samples and used techniques such as cell culture, protein and RNA extraction, Western blotting and qPCR to study changes in proteins and gene expression.
This position was particularly important for me because it gave me hands-on laboratory experience again after my years working in IT and helped me transition back into biotechnology research.
Next as an Intern at Sartorius, my role was product-focused but also very experimental, because I was working directly on the development and improvement of a real product.
The project was about adapting an existing PCR-based bacterial detection kit for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, or ATMPs. These are advanced treatments such as cell and gene therapies, where bacterial contamination can be a serious safety concern.
My work was to help extend the kit so that it could specifically detect certain high-risk bacterial species in ATMPs before the products were administered to patients. I worked on selecting suitable primers using bioinformatics and then experimentally tested and optimized them using PCR, qPCR and gel electrophoresis.
So, unlike purely academic research, this experience showed me how laboratory experiments are translated into product development and quality control applications within a company.
I carried out my master’s thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute, where I worked on developing a rapid diagnostic test for respiratory viruses.
Today, I work as a Quality Control Scientist at Meridian Bioscience, ensuring molecular diagnostic products meet quality standards before they reach customers.
Looking back, every stage of my journey – even those that seemed unrelated at the time helped prepare me for where I am today.
How did you get your first break?
My first real break into the biotechnology industry did not come from applying to large companies.
Although I had returned to biotechnology academically after spending three and a half years working in the IT industry., I knew that getting back into research after such a long gap meant starting from the basics again. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me, I decided to create them. I started cold-emailing professors, postdoctoral researchers, and research groups whose work interested me, expressing my willingness to learn and contribute.
After four to five months of continuously sending applications and emails, I finally received an opportunity as a student assistant. Interestingly, the opportunity did not come from the research group I had originally contacted. A PhD researcher from a completely different group happened to come across my CV and connected me with a position.
My supervisor, a postdoctoral researcher in the field of cardiopulmonary research, played a significant role in helping me regain my confidence and integrate into the academic research environment. At the same time, I made a conscious effort to bridge the knowledge gap by reading scientific literature, learning about new laboratory technologies, and refreshing concepts that I had not used during my years in IT.
That first opportunity became the foundation for everything that followed. The experience I gained as a student assistant led to research projects, internships, my master’s thesis, and eventually my current role in the biotechnology industry.
Looking back, one opportunity led to another not because I chased well-known organisations or prestigious job titles, but because I focused on learning, improving myself, and making the most of every opportunity I received.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Taking the leap to study in Germany
The biggest challenge was deciding to leave a stable career and move abroad for higher studies. It required financial planning, convincing my family, and accepting uncertainty.
Before making the decision, I carefully considered the risks, the benefits, and my backup plan. I believe every important decision involves some risk, but it should always be a calculated one. Once I was confident in my decision, I explained my reasons to my family and earned their support.
Challenge 2: Starting a new life in Germany
Moving to Germany meant adapting to a new language, culture, and education system. Soon after I arrived, the COVID-19 pandemic made life even more challenging.
To support myself, I took different part-time jobs while continuing my studies. Living alone also taught me resilience and the importance of looking after both my physical and mental health.
Challenge 3: Finding the right career opportunity
Finding a job after my master’s required patience and continuous learning. Instead of becoming discouraged, I focused on improving my skills and applying for opportunities.
I also realised that everyone has different priorities. While salary is important, I personally wanted a workplace with supportive people and a good learning environment. Eventually, I found a role that matched both my career goals and my values.
Where do you work now?
I currently work as a Scientist in the Quality Control Department at Meridian Bioscience in Germany, a company that develops products used in molecular diagnostics and life science research.
Our products can essentially be considered building blocks (eg., dNTPs, buffers, master mixes, enzymes) for molecular biology and diagnostic applications. We have customers around the world, both in academia and industry, including research institutions, biotechnology companies and diagnostic companies.
Some customers use our products directly for their research, while others integrate them as components into their own products or diagnostic kits. For example, an enzyme or PCR master mix that we manufacture could become one component of a larger molecular diagnostic or research kit developed by another company.
Depending on the product and customer, our products may either reach the end user directly under our own brand or be integrated as a component into another company’s product or kit.
What problems do you solve?
My responsibility is to ensure that the products we manufacture consistently meet the required quality standards before they are released. Every batch has to perform accurately and reliably because even a small variation can affect scientific research or diagnostic test results.
In simple terms, my job is to make sure that scientists and healthcare professionals can trust the products they use.
What skills are needed?
Quality Control is a combination of science and critical thinking. Some of the most important skills are laboratory techniques, analytical thinking, scientific reasoning, problem-solving, teamwork, attention to detail, good documentation and effective communication.
While university provided me with the scientific foundation, I developed these skills further through internships, research projects, and my day-to-day work in the industry.
What is a typical day like?
No two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my work.
A typical day involves planning experiments, performing quality control tests, analysing experimental data, documenting results, investigating unexpected findings, discussing technical issues with colleagues, and working with different departments to ensure products meet the required quality standards before release.
Every day presents a new scientific question or challenge to solve.
What do you love about this job?
The part I enjoy most is troubleshooting. I like investigating why something behaves differently and doesn’t go as expected. I see it as an opportunity to understand science better rather than as a failure.
I also find great satisfaction in knowing that my work contributes to products used by professionals around the world. That sense of responsibility and purpose is what makes my work meaningful to me.
How does your work benefit society?
Although I do not work directly with doctors or patients, my work helps many people in different ways.
The company I work for makes important laboratory products that are used by researchers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and diagnostic laboratories. These products help scientists study diseases, develop new diagnostic tests, and improve healthcare.
My job is to make sure these products are reliable before they are sent to customers. When researchers and laboratories use reliable products, they can trust their results and continue their work with confidence.
It is satisfying to know that, even though my work happens behind the scenes, it supports scientific research, helps improve diagnostic testing, and ultimately contributes to better healthcare for society.
Tell us about a memorable project.
One of the most memorable projects I worked on was my master’s thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world realised how important it is to detect diseases quickly. That experience inspired our research group to think beyond COVID-19. We wanted to develop a simple and rapid test that could detect other common respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) and RSV, which can cause similar symptoms.
My project focused on developing a rapid diagnostic test that could identify these viruses in a short time. The idea was to create a test that could eventually be used close to the patient, without the need for large laboratory equipment, making testing faster and more accessible.
Like most research projects, not every experiment worked exactly as expected. We often had to analyse the results, adjust, and try again. That experience taught me to be patient, work closely with my team, and approach problems systematically.
This project is especially close to my heart because it showed me how scientific research can one day be transformed into practical tools that help people and improve healthcare.
What advice would you give students?
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: focus on becoming a good human being before becoming a successful professional. Values such as honesty, kindness, humility, and integrity will stay with you throughout your life, no matter which career you choose.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your entire future planned. Very few people do. Be open to learning, don’t be afraid to change direction if you discover something you truly enjoy, and don’t compare your journey with someone else’s. Learn from every experience, whether it is a success or a setback. Skills and qualifications will help you build a career, but your character and ethics will determine the kind of person you become.
Finally, never hesitate to put in the effort, even if your chances seem small. Sometimes, a single email, application, or conversation can change the direction of your career. I hope my journey encourages students, especially those from smaller towns, to believe that their dreams are not limited by where they come from. With curiosity, continuous learning, and perseverance, it is possible to build a meaningful career – even in places you never imagined calling home.
What are your future plans?
In the coming years, I would like to continue building my career in the field of Quality, taking on greater responsibilities and eventually progressing into leadership roles such as managing a Quality department.
I am also very interested in Regulatory Affairs. In simple terms, Regulatory Affairs is the field that ensures healthcare products, such as medicines and diagnostic tests, are safe, effective, and meet all the rules and standards before they reach hospitals, laboratories, or patients. It acts as a bridge between science, industry, and government regulations. I hope to gain expertise in this field and, in the future, take on leadership roles.