Biology Beyond the Bench: Industry, AI, and the PhD Decision

Sakhi Naik ’24, a recent graduate of the Computer Science and Biology departments, will share how her interdisciplinary undergraduate experience shaped her path after Lafayette. Now working at Johnson & Johnson as a data science analyst, Sakhi creates machine learning tools to enhance business decision-making. In this talk, she will reflect on how combining technical and biological training informed her transition from academia to industry, and introduce the concept of ikigai as a framework for balancing passion with practical career planning. She will also discuss her decision to pursue graduate school for computational biology, including advice for students considering a PhD or other advanced degree. Additionally, she will share how artificial intelligence is reshaping the post-academic landscape and why staying ahead of technological change is critical for today’s students. The session will include practical advice for undergraduates and an open Q&A.