Dr. Praveen Huber on the love for science, worldly experience, and the innate drive to genuinely enhance the wellbeing of others.

We spend at least 15 years in the hallowed halls of a school. So much of our worldview, our opinions, our likes and dislikes are shaped by these four walls, by the people we encounter within them. Then, the doors flood open and we are sent out into the ‘real world’. Some of us choose to study further. Whether it is because we liked it so much the first time around or because it is the stepping stone to a fruitful career is up to each individual. Then there are those who wish to pursue it even further. These are the people whom I envy; people who feel so passionately about a subject, they become experts in their field.

Dr. Praveen Huber, maiden name Chansrichavala, a PhD in Immunopharmacology from Mahidol University, is one such individual. Since she is based in Germany, I had the pleasure of meeting her on a sunny Friday afternoon through Microsoft Teams. With a bright smile, Dr. Huber immediately put us both at ease when she confessed that she had not done many of these interviews before, and she was pleasantly surprised at being asked. Emboldened, I also confessed that I was no expert either. We shared a laugh and concluded that we could go on this learning journey together.

A second-generation Thai-Indian, Praveen is the eldest child in her family. She studied in Thailand for some time before she went to New Zealand. From New Zealand, Praveen moved on to England, where she completed her A-Levels in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Praveen has always been steadfast in her love for the sciences. An interest in medical soap operas like Grey’s Anatomy (2005-current) drew Praveen to harbour an interest in the medical sciences, though she no longer keeps up with the show (some things are too unrealistic for her to overlook). Instead, she enjoys shows like New Amsterdam (2018-2023) because they showcase an inspiring part of healthcare and how people are compelled to the aid of one another. The initial plan, she tells me, was to pursue a medical degree in England, but various factors compelled her to return home to Thailand and complete her degree in natural sciences at Mahidol.

You’ve dedicated so much of your life to the field of biotechnology and pharmacology. What inspired you to get into this line of work?

I’ve always wanted to help people. I am aware that what I do is a small jigsaw piece of the puzzle, but I believe that without that piece, the picture remains incomplete. My main drive is the fact that I want to make a difference in someone’s life. It does not have to touch many lives, just one is enough. What really inspired me was an old film starring Robin Williams called Patch Adams (1998). Williams played a doctor, and his character taught me to believe in equal access to healthcare and good treatment. At the core of it, I believe that social and financial status should make no difference to how a person is treated. Because of this, I became even more fascinated with immunology, with how our body systems work and how we fight against disease. I like to be at the forefront in these fields, to know and hope to know what will happen in the future, and to be one step ahead in a crisis.

Working towards a PhD is a massive undertaking that requires a lot of dedication and passion. What drove you to pursue a PhD, and what advice would you give to those who are aspiring to a PhD program?

In my education, in the department of pharmacology, there was no shortage of topics that I could study. One specific group of drugs caught my attention: drugs that modify the immune system. I had always been intrigued by the immune system. When I started my PhD, immunology was the sector scientists knew the least about. My fascination with the topic led me to dig deeper into the subject and that was when I stumbled onto the topic of my theses. I began to lay the groundwork on my PhD in 2005 and completed it in 2008. I am very grateful to my PhD advisor, Professor Sansanee Chaiyaroj, who let me hover around her with my questions and gave me plenty to work with.

I know my siblings will agree that full credit goes to our parents. I was taught the importance of education and to aim high. It doesn’t just take intelligence but also resilience and the ability to think critically. You must develop a voice, come up with ideas on your own, and be willing to accept a lot of failures along the way if you are determined to undertake a PhD.

In my own personal experience, there were so many experiments that were ultimately unsuccessful. I sat down with my PhD advisor in December of 2007 with plans to finish my PhD in March of 2008. Instead, I finished an entire year later in December 2008. My plan fell completely by the wayside. In a PhD, there can be a lot of discouragement, and I learned that endurance is key. In my opinion, a PhD is just as much about stamina. You have to ask yourself how much you are willing to stake and see through to the end. It taught me, and teaches you, the mentality of not giving up too easily and holding belief in the light at the end of the tunnel.

They say it takes a village, and the comfort we receive from those close to us can help prop us up. What does your support system look like?

My parents have always been the foundation of my support system. As we all know, growing up in Indian society can be quite difficult for women because it is very male-dominated. In that sense, I think I have been very lucky because my parents have always cheered me on. My mother was always steadfast in her support of me throughout my studies and my father, specifically, who graduated with a master’s in finance from New York University (NYU), instilled in me a sense of competitiveness. I remember telling him once that I would “beat” him in terms of education.

When my family threw me a party for graduating with my PhD, he ended up quoting me at the party, claiming that I had successfully “beaten” him.

Other than that, my friends have been cheering me on from the sidelines. One of them is my best friend of over 23 years, whom I have known since my time in England. My PhD advisor and I also grew quite close over the course of my doctorate. I believe it is really important to have people in your corner. It helps with your endurance and motivates you to keep going.

What drew you to Leukocare AG and Germany as a whole?

Moving to Germany was actually unplanned, in a sense. My husband is German; I met him when he was in Thailand as an expat. There was an option to settle in Thailand, but I wanted to experience working abroad and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. Since my husband is German, it only made sense for us to move our family to Germany rather than a third country to which neither of us has any ties. Although I had taken up Japanese and German during my time in New Zealand, I had no idea that I would someday move to Germany, so I didn’t keep up with my language skills.

Choosing Leukocare AG was also something akin to fate. They were supposed to be our client back when I was in Thailand, working with Siam Bioscience. The CEO invited me for an interview, and I was offered the job on the spot after the second interview. Leukocare was the perfect fit.

Tell us a little more about your position as Vice President, Head of Partnerships, and Client Project Management. What does a typical week look like for you?

No two weeks are the same. Some weeks are very operational, where I focus on finding solutions and giving advice to my team. Other weeks, however, are mixed with client calls and are more focused on the project management side. There is often a strategic lens these days, where we must find ways to add value to the business. Amongst all this, I still find the time to connect with my team. I do this through direct reports, mentoring the team, encouraging them, and helping them to develop their careers.

Outside of work, I am also a mother. Realistically speaking, women can do it all–just not all at once. Knowing what to prioritise when is also a skill that I have developed over the years. When I first started at Leukocare, I didn’t have a daughter. I went back to work one full year after having my daughter and returned full-time. There was a learning curve there as well. In Thailand, there are nannies and helpers, which is quite a privilege. Going without them requires a lot of discipline. When I am at work, I devote all my attention to work from 8 AM to 5 PM and try to get as much done as possible. Then, when I pick up my daughter, it is all about her. I try my best to avoid work when I am with her, choosing to be present in the moment.

What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced over the years? Do you think they’ve informed your experiences thus far?

In my family, I was taught to question things but to never be rude. They never told me, “You can’t do it”, and thus I never felt hindered from doing or accomplishing things. Of course, there are times when society might hinder you, but you must take this as a challenge to prove them wrong.

Every obstacle I have met in life has helped me become who I am. It has taught me to never be afraid of mistakes. As long as you are clear that something is a mistake, the important thing is to learn to pick yourself up and do better next time. I believe that where there is a will, there is a way. If it is something you really want, you must stand up for yourself and stick to your resolve.

It seems like Leukocare works with a variety of projects. What is the most interesting project to come across your desk?

For me, it’s the projects that are related to genetics and biostatistics as they pertain directly to my interest. Treatments that are used in, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or cancer, when they are not oral tablets but injections, can be incredibly expensive for the average consumer. Leukocare works with pharmaceutical and biotech companies that create biologics, biosimilars, and vaccines. I enjoy these projects because it is a topic I feel passionately for. Although Leukocare is a small company of 50 employees, their outreach extends beyond Europe, and into the United States and the rest of the world.

Since you are based in Germany, are there things you miss about Thailand?

Though I realise it sounds quite simple, what I miss the most about Thailand is the easy lifestyle and friendly atmosphere. Germany is incredibly structured. No shops and supermarkets are open on Sunday, but when you’re in Thailand, you can pop out to the market late at night if there’s something you need or something you’re craving. This relaxed mindset and pace of life, despite the traffic, is something I miss.

What are some of the ways you like to unwind?

I’ve picked up the habit of reading once again and trying to read a variety of genres. I recently read a book called The American Wolf, which is about the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Coincidentally, I picked up the book in a gift shop when I visited the park with my family in April. I also enjoy doing cardio and going on runs. Hanging out with friends, going out for dinner, having a good chat, and sharing lots of laughs are all important ways to unwind.

As someone in such an esteemed position, what sort of impact do you wish to leave on the community?

I believe that education matters. Wealth is material, but nobody can take education away from you. I also want people to be kind and loving to one another. This is also a lesson I try to impart to my daughter. When people are kind, loving, and considerate of others, I believe it is only natural for them to want to give back to society.