Divya Khanna is working as a Project Scientist III for a multicentric government project at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi. The project “Indian Breast Cancer Genome Atlas” is to build a cancer genomics database focusing on Indian Breast Cancer patients. The outcomes of the project would help to build better understanding of the disease and holds an immense clinical translational potential. Divya completed her Doctorate in Biotechnology in 2009 and since then have worked across profiles including administrative and scientific research nationally and internationally. She has completed her post-doctoral training from Department of Biochemistry, Latrobe University, Australia. Post that worked as a Program Manager for “Indo –USA Collaboration of Innovation and Translational Research.” For few years now due to her work profile, she has associated with many hospitals for patient samples and clinical data information. Here she finds a deepening gap wherein a lacuna exists between hospital management and research institutes. Moreover, she also sees a lack of information about research amongst clinical community. Although now many schemes and opportunities have been created but still can see a gap. It has always intruiged her to find a reliable solution to bridge this lacunae. Raising awareness on the role of genomics studies in clinicians as well as netizens is a key solution here and participating in the STEM leadership program will provide me with a necessary boost and mentorship to delve around this issue.
