From Data to Decision-Maker: Dharma Dev’s Journey from Pharmaceutical Labs to Cambridge Judge

Dharma Dev grew up in the diverse cultural landscapes of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, experiencing a multitude of influences across South India. Raised in a Telugu-speaking family, he spent his early years observing his father’s dedication as a bank manager. Seeing his father emphasize fitness, health, and well-being sowed early seeds of his interest in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, this led Dharma Dev to a career in pharmaceutical research after his undergraduate studies in Pharmacy from Biju Patnaik University of Technology and a Masters in Pharmacology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. 

 

Graduating in 2013, Dev began his professional career at Cognizant, where he specialized as a statistical programmer working with pharmaceutical clients. Developing a keen interest to work at the intersection of data analytics and health research, Dev decided to pivot to  Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company with an international presence. Working at Novo Nordisk provided Dev the opportunity to travel outside the country. Traveling to Europe for the first time ever, he was mesmerised by the experience. Seeing a seamless blend of intellectual stimulation and relaxed professionalism in Copenhagen left a mark on him. Trvaling to Denmark over four times over the next four years, Dev realized that he wants to build his career in Europe.

In 2019, Dev joined IQVIA, a leading global provider of healthcare-related services, and relocated to Germany. During this period, he worked on multiple high-impact projects, including working on the COVID-19 vaccine for Johnson&Johnson. Handling programming of statistical reports in JNJ COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, Dev helped expedite the delivery of the vaccine to 100+ countries. Despite the urgent nature of this work, he noted a strong emphasis on maintaining work-life balance and team collaboration, a core pillar of the European work culture. 

 

Switching to AstraZeneca in 2022, Dev took on the role of a Senior Statistical Programmer in the firm’s Cambridge office. That’s when he realized that while he excels in the technical aspects of his role, he wants to create a bigger imapact within his organization. he wants to take on a leadership role and become more involved in the firm’s leadership and decision-making. This realization prompted Dev to consider pursuing an MBA, specifically at a business school, wherein he can learn alongside peers from diverse cultures and professional backgrounds. Living in Cambridge made that choice easy for him. 

 

Scoring a 760 on the GMAT solidified his determination to pursue his MBA dreams. Aware of the highly competitive nature of top MBA programs, Dev sought guidance from Admissions Gateway. Working closely with Piyush, an Admissions Gateway MBA Admissions Consultant, Dev tailored his applications for each school, ensuring that his passion for healthcare, along with his diverse professional journey resonated in every essay and interview.

 

He received offers from Judge, Oxford, HEC Paris, IESE, and Warwick, while his applications at LBS and INSEAD were waitlisted. Despite the financial aid offered by Warwick, Cambridge Judge remained his top choice. After thoughtful discussions with his wife, who also works full-time in the city, and considering his young daughter’s needs, he decided to embark on his MBA journey at Cambridge.

 

At Judge, Dharma Dev has already immersed himself in the school’s culture and extracurricular opportunities. An experienced marathon runner, he has joined the university’s running club. Through the club, he has found his friends who share his passion for fitness. Additionally, he is exploring Cambridge’s Taekwondo and rowing clubs, aiming to connect and engage with the local student community. True to his entrepreneurial spirit, Dharma Dev joined the university’s entrepreneurship club, where he is working with a team of fellow students to support budding startups, contributing three to four hours weekly to brainstorm strategies and provide insights based on his professional experience in healthcare.

 

Looking back at his journey so far, Dev believes that his international exposure has greatly shaped his professional perspective. His initial trip to Denmark was eye-opening, exposing him to a work culture that prioritized independence, flat hierarchies, and intellectual engagement. These experiences reinforced his belief in the importance of psychological safety in the workplace—creating spaces where employees feel comfortable expressing ideas without fear of judgment. At Cambridge Judge, Dev hopes to gain the skills necessary to champion these values in future leadership roles.

 

MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School marks the beginning of a new chapter in Dev’s life, one that bridges his technical expertise with leadership acumen. He is excited to contribute to the field of healthcare at a strategic level, driven by a deep-seated commitment to advancing public health on a global scale. As he continues to grow, Dev remains focused on creating meaningful impact, inspired by the journey that has brought him from the pharmaceutical labs of India to the historic halls of Cambridge. 

To read more such stories of folks who got into their dream business schools to pursue their lifelong passion, check out our success stories.

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