From PhD to Research Scientist
Chandrakanth “Chandra” Emani, a Research Scientist at MyFloraDNA, shares how he went from a PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics to an industry career advancing crop transformation and CRISPR-Cas gene edit
👔 The Job 👔
Chandra is a Research Scientist at MyFloraDNA, a Sacramento-based company focused on crop genome modification through CRISPR-Cas gene editing.
He develops optimized plant transformation protocols, manages tissue culture and transformation pipelines, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and drives innovation in crop biotechnology.
Best part of the job:
The opportunity to understand plants at the molecular level and create novel plant varieties through gene editing.
🛣️ The Path 🛣️
After 25 years in academia, Chandra made the conscious decision to reinvent himself and transition into industry.
Key steps in his career journey:
PhD ➡️ Postdoctoral Fellow (12 years) ➡️ Assistant Professor (5 years) ➡️ Associate Professor (tenured, 8 years) ➡️ Research Scientist
🧠 The Decision 🧠
Leaving academia wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
Chandra had reached a plateau in his academic career. While he loved teaching, the combination of family needs, financial pressures, and the demand to continually secure large grants left him missing the excitement of cutting-edge plant science.
Encouragement from his wife and a process of self-reflection gave him the confidence to leave a tenured role—a move his peers described as “gutsy”—and pursue industry research instead.
💡 The Advice 💡
Believe in yourself: Self-confidence is the most important ingredient for any career transition.
Be strategic with your resume: Rewrite your long CV into a concise, tailored one-page resume for each application. Highlight skills, expertise, and your research philosophy.
Build your own opportunities: If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. Develop a diverse professional network—LinkedIn is a powerful tool to showcase yourself and connect with others.
For further inspiration, he recommends The Double Helix by James Watson and Advice to a Young Scientist by Peter Medawar.
🔑 The Takeaway 🔑
Chandra’s journey shows that reinvention is possible at any stage of your career. With self-belief, adaptability, and a willingness to pivot, you can leave the comfort of academia and find renewed excitement in science and discovery.
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”