5 Questions with Amrita Madabushi, Professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus and Founder of EmpowerBio

April 26, 2024

This article is part of our 5 Questions With series, one of our ongoing People & Places Features. We love it because despite the consistent questioning, the answers are all unique. Be sure to FOLLOW us on LinkedIn to tell us what you think.

1. What did you want to be when you grow up? How’d you get from there to here? 

My fascination with science began at the age of five. Watching stars and planets through a telescope atop the university where my parents taught Physics left an enduring impression on me. Their influence and my curiosity sparked a deep-seated interest in science and my career as a scientist and an educator. 

My interest continued to morph and one day while pursuing my undergraduate degree in Physics, I landed in a biology lab at the same university. I found myself fascinated by the world of molecular biology and eventually dedicated countless evenings and late nights to working on research projects there. I graduated with a dual Master’s degree in Physics and Life Sciences. As my academic journey unfolded, I realized the importance of allowing myself to navigate in the direction of my interests.

With a background in Biophysics, I was naturally drawn to the intricate world of protein structure and function. This drove me to pursue a PhD in crystallography and characterizing proteins. Soon after, I embarked on my journey as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland where I worked on DNA repair pathways and their relevance in cancers. As I allowed myself to explore careers beyond postdoc, I realized my passion lay in teaching and training the next generation of professionals in biotechnology and allied fields. My professional journey took me from undergrad teaching at Baltimore City Community College to serving as Associate Director overseeing doctoral and postdoctoral programs at NIH. 

I am currently a collegiate professor of biotechnology at the University of Maryland Global Campus where I serve students in undergraduate and graduate programs across the globe. I coordinate and teach a capstone course that supports biotech companies in the region to help take their products from innovation to market. In addition, I also teach a course on Gene Therapy for the Johns Hopkins Masters’ program. Leading up to this point, navigating through my career path, I have learned the importance of following one’s passions and believing in yourself no matter how difficult the path is or how many times you face rejection. 

2. How are you helping to build a more connected community? 

I believe that ‘an engaged community is a successful community’. I have been volunteering, serving, and working to build a more engaged community since the start of my professional career journey. 

As they say, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, I believe ‘it takes a community to help a student succeed in STEM’. Forming a STEM community in Maryland has been a top priority for me. I, along with 3 other colleagues from other community colleges, co-founded the Maryland Collegiate STEM Conference in 2013, which provides opportunities to over 400 STEM students and faculty from 16 community colleges in Maryland to showcase their work and advance their knowledge and career goals through an annual conference. We recently received the Maryland Governor’s citation for our conference and its role in serving the STEM community.

I also initiated the Maryland BioEducators Network, a forum for all biotech teaching faculty from community colleges, to universities, to high school teachers. This forum continues to bring all the biotech educators together and help support each other. 

I have been dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion for all women in life science careers. I have been serving as co-chair of the Women In Bio (WIB) Sponsorship Committee to raise awareness as well as funds for their mission in the Capital region. WIB does a phenomenal job not only in bringing women within the DMV community together but also in uplifting and supporting each other. 

Though I have received awards as an educator at the institutional and national level, I was truly humbled and honored to have my efforts recognized as an educator, community champion, and WIB volunteer as the 2023 Rising Star award honoree at the HERStory gala. This award is bestowed every year to one woman to celebrate her trailblazing impact in the life sciences sector.

BioBuzz’s mission is simple: to be more connected. Our regionally-focused storytelling, programs, events and experiences create, connect and amplify impact across the life science workforce in growing biohubs. We vibe with people who value community and connection like us. We’d love for you to share how you’re building a more connected community… and any support that you need from our community to continue to accomplish this mission. 

3. What are currently buzzing about? Anything and everything…   

I am honored and thrilled to be selected into the inaugural Class of 2024 of the Emerging Leader Program organized by Leadership Maryland. This includes a cohort of 40 rising stars and high-potential employees from across the state poised for upward growth and ready to hone their core leadership skills toward supporting and building their communities.  

I have also founded a company EmpowerBio, to provide customized training and mentoring solutions to organizations and companies. Last year we conducted training programs during the summer at universities and successfully mentored individuals to achieve their career goals.

One of the events I am most excited about at this time is the annual signature event of the Women In Bio (WIB) Capital Region, the HERstory gala. HERstory Gala is a premier event that attracts about 200 men and women from industry, government, nonprofits, and academia across the Capital Region Metro Area. The event highlights women trailblazers in the life sciences who have made a significant impact in the region while providing unique opportunities to meet with some of the region’s most successful women. At WIB Capital, we have been working hard for the last couple of months to plan this wonderful event, and I look forward to attending it. 

4. If you could travel back in time – what early career advice would you give yourself? OR What career advice would you shout from the rooftops now?  

The main career advice I believe in and would share is ‘To believe in yourself and follow your dreams and passion’.

Reflecting on my career journey as well as the lessons learned from shared experiences, I would say while it’s great to have a goal, it is equally important to enjoy the journey to reach it. In the same breath, it’s ok for the goal or plans to change. Rather than viewing shifts from one plan to another as a failure, I would perceive them as a transition to a new and more fitting “Plan A”, that works better for you. It’s ok to let yourself explore and take a detour to a new goal and a new destination.

As you work on your education, academic or professional journey, remember that you are preparing for your future self. If you look back at yourself 10 years ago, you will realize you were a very different person. So, prepare not just for today, but for tomorrow, because both you and the world around you will have evolved by the time you are ready to take on that new or a different role.

For many of us, we are building our professional and personal lives at the same time. I would suggest prioritizing family time alongside work commitments. I love spending time with my family. Work is a priority but so is carving out time for cherished relationships and personal endeavors. Without my family’s unwavering support, I would not be where I am today.

5. FUN question. What would you do if you had all the time in the world? 

If I had all the time in the world, I would write more. I might even embark on the creation of a collection comprising my own poetry or short stories.

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Join Amrita Madabushi at Women In Bio (WIB) Capital Region’s HERstory gala.