Protein Leaders: Garima Sinha

Tell us more about how you found yourself studying science and what drove you to the Pharma industry?

As early as I can remember, I was inspired to explore answers to biological questions. Growing up in a home where my father was a physician and my mother a zoology teacher, I was constantly exposed to discussions about advancements in biological and clinical research. I often found myself wondering: How do scientists study the complexities of different diseases? How are medicines standardized for treatment? How do drugs specifically target diseased tissues? Among all diseases, cancer has always been at the center of my concerns. Losing both of my grandparents to cancer deeply affected me. Despite the relentless efforts in cancer research, a definitive cure remains elusive. These concerns fueled my passion for understanding cancer biology, with the ultimate dream of contributing to research that could one day make the world cancer-free.

How do you see Super Refined™ Poloxamer 188 supporting the business' promise to “Empower biologics delivery”?

We live in an era when therapeutic manufacturing is no longer confined to concrete buildings filled with complex machinery. Instead, we harness the power of living systems—cells—as biofactories to produce therapeutic biomolecules. However, for these cells to function optimally outside the living body, they must first survive and thrive in controlled environments. This demanding process requires good cell health, which is directly influenced by the nutrients provided. Cell culture media, the nutrient-rich environment supporting these biofactories, is a complex mixture of essential chemical ingredients. Among these, Poloxamer 188 is critical in protecting cells from shear stress—a common challenge in bioreactors. Shear stress can compromise cell integrity, affecting both the quantity and quality of biomolecule production. By acting as a stabilizing agent, Poloxamer 188 ensures cell resilience and optimal performance. The purity of Poloxamer 188 is key to maximizing bioproduction efficiency. Super Refined™ Poloxamer 188 offers an ultra-purified version, minimizing impurities that could negatively impact cell health. By safeguarding cells against stress and ensuring consistent, high-quality biomolecule production, this refined ingredient is an essential component in advancing the field of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

What was your involvement in the Super Refined™ Poloxamer 188 project?

This project began before I joined Croda in 2022. Prior to my onboarding, we relied heavily on third-party testing for cell health assessments. However, this approach had several limitations, including a restricted number of samples, high costs, and issues with reproducibility. After joining the project, I became actively involved in generating cell health data for both developmental and final products. As each developmental sample was produced, the impact of altering certain factors on cell health was communicated back to the synthesis and manufacturing teams. On a technical front, this collaboration made it a truly global project, with the synthesis, manufacturing, analytical, and data development teams exchanging valuable information with one another. By building this internal capability, we established our own knowledge repository—allowing us to refine our processes, enhance reproducibility, and make data-driven decisions on what works and what doesn’t.

If you had to give one piece of advice to someone in the research field, what would you tell them?

Treat research like a mystery novel where you are both the detective and the storyteller. The unexpected twists—failed experiments, puzzling data, and dead ends—aren't roadblocks; they are clues guiding you to the truth. Stay relentless in your curiosity, question everything, and let the pursuit of knowledge drive you. The most groundbreaking discoveries come from those who dare to see beyond the obvious and persist when the answers seem just out of reach

Let’s end on a fun fact! Tell us more about your hobbies and what you do outside of the lab? Who is Garima without the lab coat?

When I’m not in the lab worrying about cell health and setting up experiments, you’ll probably find me staring up at the sky, wondering if today’s the day we finally get undeniable proof of extraterrestrial life. I’m obsessed with aliens, UAPs, and space science—basically, if it involves the unknown, I’m all in. That love for mystery extends to my other hobbies too, like devouring horror novels and movies (the scarier, the better). But when I need a break from intergalactic enigmas and things that go bump in the night, I switch gears to something a little more down-to-earth—taking care of my plants. There’s something oddly satisfying about nurturing greenery, like tending to my own tiny, oxygen-producing, low-maintenance alien colony. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll accidentally grow a plant that’s actually from another planet!