Sara Nochur, PhD
“Don’t let anybody tell you what you cannot do.”
I love traveling and experiencing new cultures. I enjoy hosting family and friends and cooking for them. I sing in the shower, and every now and then I can hold a tune! I can be impatient and have a hard time holding back my opinions, but I try my best to be kind. I work with my colleagues to reduce bias, hire diverse team members, and educate people to understand the importance of inclusivity. I am a Diversity Officer.
What does diversity have to do with science? Well, quite a lot. Research has shown that diverse perspectives can lead to greater innovation and creativity. Plus, when you work in a field like biotechnology that’s constantly shaping society, it’s essential that individuals from across communities and backgrounds are represented throughout the process. After earning my PhD in biochemical engineering from MIT, I spent over 25 years working with biotech companies to help bring new medicines to patients. I developed a deep understanding of many different aspects of both science and business, and also a deep desire to see these institutions become more diverse and equitable spaces. Now, I leverage my knowledge of how companies work, how science works, and how people work to design our company’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices. I help guide critical factors like how we hire, how we train, and how we make our work environments more equitable and inclusive. By creating conditions for everyone to thrive in science, we can improve our company’s ability to be as innovative and impactful as possible as we work to help patients in need.
When I moved to the US from India, I was a young woman of color in a class mostly full of men. It wasn’t going to stop me, but I also recognized the pressure and assumptions that can come with stereotypes. I spent many fulfilling years working as a scientist and regulatory affairs professional in the biotech industry in Boston, striving to bring novel medicines to patients in need. But when I was given the opportunity to become a Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, I simply couldn’t pass up the chance to make the company and the biotechnology industry a more inclusive space for everyone. There’s no easy path to equity, but I believe that by learning to navigate our biases, reducing barriers for others, and cultivating respect for every human being, we can make great progress both as individuals and as a society.
I grew up in India as the youngest of five siblings. My father worked for the government and we had to move around the country a lot, although I didn’t mind. I was easy-going, hard working at school, and made friends quickly, even across differences in language and backgrounds. Despite the fact that neither of my parents studied beyond high school, they emphasized education, discipline and hard work. They were loving and supportive of my pursuits as I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Microbiology at the University of Mumbai. When it came time to go to graduate school, I decided to move to the US with my soon-to-be husband.
We got married soon after my arrival in the US, and I also simultaneously started a PhD program in biochemical engineering at MIT. Things weren’t easy the first couple of years. I struggled in some of the introductory engineering classes since it had been several years since I had studied mathematics. My husband was very supportive and with a lot of determination and grit, I passed my exams. During this time, I had my first son and took 9 months off from school, but I still managed to graduate alongside the rest of my class.
I love entertaining guests, cooking vegetarian dishes, and hosting parties. In my social circles, I’m often the one who takes initiative and plans fun experiences. My family and I love exploring different countries, spending time in nature, and discovering unique landscapes all over the world. I also like to read books and watch movies (especially the classics). I like looking at the big picture and motivating others to do their best and have a positive attitude. When I’m not around everyone else, I like to take long walks by myself. I have an adventurous side, and one day I’d like to give skydiving a try!
I’m also very driven to serve my community however I can. Since 2003, my family has hosted scores of patients and caregivers from across the globe as part of a nonprofit organization called Hospitality Homes (hosp.org). We provide a temporary home for those who need a place to stay in Boston while receiving specialized medical care at our renowned hospitals. My husband and I also work with a nonprofit in India that brings education to rural and tribal communities. I am also on the board of the Biomedical Sciences Careers Program (bscp.org), a non-profit organization that aims to increase the representation of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged individuals in all facets of science and medicine.
I’m proof that just because you take your work seriously doesn’t mean that you have to take everything seriously. At work, I’m very focused, detail-oriented, and hold myself and others to high standards. But I also love to let loose and have a great time. Sometimes my colleagues are surprised when they see me outside of work – laughing, making connections, entertaining, and being fully present in the moment to enjoy all that life has to offer.
When I’m asked for advice, I like to encourage people to engage in what I call “The Three Ls”: learn, lean in, and love what you do. Learning means not being afraid to ask questions and striving to learn at all times from every experience. This builds your confidence and prepares you to lean in, which means engaging fully, and giving yourself permission to take risks and accept the challenge of reaching beyond your comfort zone. But above all, it’s important to find a career that sparks your passion and fits your interests, so that you love what you do every day.
