BioChain Team Spotlight: Dr. Vidyodhaya Sundaram, V.P. of Business Development
“There are so many people at this organization with unconventional journeys. BioChain's culture is to see the spark in somebody – to give them the training and the resources they need to flourish.” – Vidyodhaya Sundaram, Ph.D.
Dr. Vidyodhaya Sundaram has an M.B.A. from San Jose State University and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Cleveland State University. In 2017, she joined BioChain Institute, Inc. as a sales representative and now serves in her current position as Vice President of Business Development.
Dr. Sundaram’s work focuses on building partnerships, expanding BioChain’s client and customer base, and introducing new technologies to BioChain’s products and services. Most recently, she spearheads BioChain’s work in spatial multiomics. Dr. Sundaram speaks on the culture of innovation at BioChain and the importance of risk-taking in scientific advancement and business.
Dr. Sundaram, to start things off, can you tell us about what your journey looked like before coming to BioChain?
Dr. Sundaram: I came to the United States from India more than three decades ago. Mine is a typical immigrant story. I came to the Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland State University for graduate studies. I completed my PhD, moved to Silicon Valley, and became a mother of two children. I also completed my MBA at San Jose University and did a teaching postdoc at Santa Clara University. I have always enjoyed teaching and started teaching part-time at various community colleges within the Bay Area. I still teach at Deanza College once a year. I’ve been a teacher for more than 18 years, and it has been the most rewarding part of my immigrant journey.
How long have you been working at BioChain?
Dr. Sundaram: I’ve been working here for over 7 years at multiple levels – as an inside sales rep, manager, director, and now in the last year and a half as VP of business development. In the last two years or so I’ve taken the lead on expanding BioChain’s services into the field of spatial biology in addition to sales and marketing projects.
What has your experience been transitioning through those roles?
Dr. Sundaram: It’s been interesting transitioning from director to VP. As director I had a leadership role – I was able to bring the idea of spatial biology to BioChain – but less external reach. Now, as VP, I have the opportunity to go out and build partnerships with leaders in bioinformatics, with customers, and with other service providers. It has been an amazing experience.
Your journey in the workforce has been an active and diverse one. Can you share what your role at BioChain means to you?
Dr. Sundaram: When I first started working, I never expected I would end up in the role I have today. I am very grateful and honored that Grace and Dong and the BioChain team believed in me when they hired me even though I had no sales experience.
That is the culture at BioChain. There are so many people at this organization with unconventional journeys. BioChain's culture is to see the spark in somebody – to give them the training and the resources they need to flourish.
What are some ways you feel BioChain’s collaborative and opportunity-minded culture has led the company to take on new projects?
Dr. Sundaram: Our company culture has enabled us to be confident risk-takers. One of the things we wanted was to find the right technology that complements our histology and genomics strengths. In that regard, I am really excited that we are making inroads as a premier spatial biology service provider.
In what direction do you see BioChain growing over the next several years?
Dr. Sundaram: I am really looking forward to continuing to leverage external partnerships and our own internal collaborative culture to go after new advances in science like spatial and other technologies that augment our strength.
We have some amazing partnerships with other organizations. For example, we have a very close relationship with 10x Genomics and Nanostring( Burker); BioChain is one of the four catalyst members in the world for 10x Xenium technology.
You’ve spoken a lot about spatial biology. From your perspective, what is the importance of spatial research?
Dr. Sundaram: When I did my Ph.D. in cancer biology I would have never imagined that one day we would be capable of spatial. Through BioChain’s investment in spatial technology, we have been given an opportunity to assist scientists in understanding basic biology, and disease,and find better treatment for cancer patients.
Dr. Sundaram, you shared a very compelling vision of BioChain’s past and future with us. As we come to a close, can you tell us what BioChain’s 30th Anniversary means to you?
Dr. Sundaram: BioChain has shown responsible and thoughtful growth in the last 30 years. We are always looking for new opportunities. But we have done it in a methodical way while knowing our strengths and limits. The fact that this company has grown so steadily over the last 30 years is a testament to that approach.
Dr. Sundaram, thank you so much for sharing your BioChain journey with us today; it was a pleasure speaking with you.
Dr. Sundaram: The pleasure was mine; thank you!
Read our 30th Anniversary Spotlight piece featuring Dr. Tong Lu, Spatial Biology Lab Manager.
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