Harbani Kaur Malik-Chaudhry, PhD • Protein Engineer

I am a

PROTEIN ENGINEER

Harbani Kaur Malik-Chaudhry, PhD

Presented by The Amgen Foundation

MY LIFE

MY PATH

MY WORK

FOR YOU

Featured

Making Art.

I’ve been doodling with a Sharpie and paper since middle school. I used to love to draw Henna-inspired patterns. Since then, I’ve helped my husband’s small business by designing and selling my artwork as personalized T-shirts. I like to use my iPad to create artwork that helps me to process emotions or events that I am going through, or create pieces that inspire me.

Food Tourism.

While my husband and I aren’t great chefs, we both love to eat wonderful food. In addition to enjoying Indian cuisine, we love to explore different places through their local food. When we travel, we visit restaurants that capture the flavors and spices of the region as a way of connecting to the culture.

Rollerblading.

I became a professional rollerblader in middle school and competed in both racing and roller hockey. I used to wake up an hour early to train with the boys’ team before school. My husband and I met as kids, we became friends by traveling to tournaments together. Rollerblading played a big role in teaching me discipline and work ethic through early morning practices, and providing a source of endorphins through exercise.

Spirituality.

My family and I practice Sikhism. Women’s equality and selfless acts of service are both major parts of our faith. I also learned to play the harmonium as a child as part of our religious practices. It’s a musical instrument that accompanies singing hymns, which are part of our scriptures. As a new mom, I enjoy sharing these musical and spiritual traditions with my daughter.

Family.

Family is very important to me. I have a husband, a goldendoodle named Simba, and most recently, my first daughter. As a homebody, we spend a lot of time together, sharing meals, watching TV, and playing board games. My family and my extended family are a close-knit crew. As this big Punjabi family, we enjoy performing Bhangra, a traditional dance from Northern India.

A Little About Me

I am passionate about advocacy and service.

I am dedicated to Sevā, a pillar of my faith that calls for selfless service without any expectation of reward. At the moment, I am helping and leading a nonprofit organization called Tera Hands that is committed to providing menstrual products to women in homeless shelters. I am also a strong advocate for gender and racial equity in my workplace.
I never considered myself 'nerdy' or a 'genius'.

I’m really proud to have earned a PhD and succeeded in my career as a scientist, but I don’t think it’s because of innate talents that others couldn’t pursue. I was raised with hard work as a value, and science is all about learning, brainstorming, and solving problems. If you are curious and determined enough, you can be successful.
I believe it's important for women to stand up and speak up.

I make a point of sharing my thoughts and standing up for the things I believe I (or others) deserve. As women, we’re often led to believe we shouldn’t be too “bossy” or “loud”, but my leadership skills are connected to being confident expressing my ideas, no matter who I’m talking to.

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MY ADVICE

“Be curious, excited, and humble. Put yourself out there and expand your mind to new possibilities.”

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WHO I AM

People describe me as..

Hard Working

I am a very motivated and dedicated individual. Whether I’m supporting a cause I care about or helping the fight against cancer, I pour myself into the things that I care about.
Candid

I am opinionated and confident in using my voice. I am not afraid to share my insights or speak up for what I believe in.
Creative

I love expressing myself and working through my experiences in creative ways, whether it be doodling, music, dancing, or creating digital art.
Supportive

I am always looking for ways to support others, whether it’s my family, friends, or colleagues at work.

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My Accomplishments:

PhD in Bioengineering from the University of California Riverside

The Basics:

Pronouns: She/Her

Title: Sr. Principle Scientist

Institution: Amgen

Expertise: Bioengineering, Antibody-based Therapeutics

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Where to Follow Me:

LINKEDIN →

RESEARCH GATE →

“No question is a ‘dumb’ question. People like being asked questions and sharing things that they know."

— Harbani kaur malik-chaudhry

MY PATH →

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Tandem Photo • Illustrator: Stephanie Singleton

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I am a

PROTEIN ENGINEER

Harbani Kaur Malik-Chaudhry, PhD

I am passionate about advocacy and service.

“Be curious, excited, and humble. Put yourself out there and expand your mind to new possibilities.”

WHO I AM

Hard Working

My Accomplishments:

The Basics:

Where to Follow Me:

“No question is a ‘dumb’ question. People like being asked questions and sharing things that they know."

Looking for teacher resources?