Dr. Chétna Rao is a pioneering figure in STEM strategy. As the head of global R&D STEM strategy at Bristol Myers Squibb, she directed STEM initiatives across the organization and played a key role in launching programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her commitment to establishing diverse and inclusive talent pipelines has been central to her mission of nurturing the next generation of scientific innovators. During her more than three-year tenure as co-chair of the BMS STEM Council, Dr. Rao devised comprehensive initiatives for students—from elementary school through graduate studies—that fostered scientific inquiry and provided critical academic and professional support, especially for those from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
With over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, her career is distinguished by numerous patents, scholarly publications, and contributions to the approval of three FDA-sanctioned drugs. Dr. Rao earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Florida, where her dissertation earned the Best Thesis Award from the College of Medicine. She further honed her expertise as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida and the University of California, Davis.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Rao is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion. She devotes her personal time to mentoring young women, ensuring that individuals from all ethnic backgrounds have equitable opportunities to realize their potential. Her outstanding contributions were recognized in 2021 when the SF Business Times named her one of the top 100 most influential women in the Bay Area.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ch%C3%A9tna-rao-ph-d-0329964/