Arun Hariharan
Summary
Dynamic Scientist & Lab Operations Strategist with 15+ years of experience in NGS assay development, scaling high throughput labs, strategic procurement, and cost optimization to drive efficiency and innovation. A dual-degree holder (MBA – Strategy & Operations, MSc – Molecular Biology) with a track record of leading high-impact projects and driving scientific and operational excellence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Scientist III
Strand Life Sciences Private Limited
12.2021 - Current
- Leading NGS Lab Operations, ensuring seamless execution of high-throughput sequencing workflows while optimizing costs and efficiency. Led a seamless lab transition to a new 22,000 sq. ft. facility, completing the move in under four weeks with zero downtime for clinical diagnostics operations
- Driving strategic procurement and vendor management, negotiating large value contracts with global suppliers (Illumina, IDT, Agilent, Thermo) to ensure cost-effective and uninterrupted reagent supply. Achieved ₹10 Cr+ in cost savings within 12–15 months through strategic vendor negotiations, multi-year contracts, and procurement optimization across reagents, consumables, and CapEx purchases
- Pioneered NGS automation adoption, evaluating various platforms like Beckman Coulter, Hamilton, SPTLabs, Dispendix, Agilent, and PerkinElmer to enhance accuracy, scalability, and reaction miniaturization
- Drove sequencing scale-up, transitioning operations from NextSeq to NovaSeq technology and spearheading the adoption of Oxford Nanopore instruments for expanded sequencing capabilities
- Optimized assay workflows, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational expenditures by 20%, ensuring high-quality data output without compromising performance
- Spearheaded commercial discussions for cutting-edge technologies and new assay implementations, aligning them with operational and budgetary goals to future-proof lab capabilities
Deputy Manager – Business Operations
Syngene International Limited
07.2021 - 11.2021
- Collaborated with the Operating Unit Head to drive safety, compliance, and operational excellence across business and laboratory operations
- Led CapEx and OpEx planning, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation and smooth lab operations
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to create synergies, ensuring seamless execution of deliverables
Manager – Research Informatics Lab
Strand Life Sciences Private Limited
09.2020 - 06.2021
- Spearheaded daily R&D lab operations, overseeing project management, client interactions, budgeting, and inventory management
- Partnered with Business Development teams to scope, cost, and draft proposals for high-value NGS projects
- Led a 10+ member team, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and operational efficiency
Scientist III / Senior Scientist I
Strand Life Sciences Private Limited
04.2015 - 08.2020
- Developed and operationalized a high-throughput NGS assay for Oral Cancer biomarker discovery, enabling scalable data processing and analytics for clinical adoption
- Standardized and validated liquid biopsy oncology assays, achieving CAP and NABL accreditation
- Scoped and managed client service projects, including cost estimation, resource allocation, and timelines for execution
Research Associate
Ganit Labs
03.2011 - 03.2015
- Mastered Next Generation Sequencing techniques in record time and developed protocols for nucleic acid extraction from various samples
- Contributed significantly to the sequencing and transcriptome analysis of Azadirachta indica (Neem), a global milestone
- Conducted nucleic acid extractions, library preparation, and sequencing for diverse applications, including whole genome, transcriptome, exome, and small RNA sequencing.
- Managed multiple concurrent projects while ensuring high quality standards were met.
- Exhibited excellent problem-solving skills by finding creative solutions to challenging issues.
Junior Research Fellow
SeriBiotech Research Laboratory,Central Silk Board
12.2009 - 03.2011
- Selected from a competitive pool to work on a DBT-sponsored project investigating stress response mechanisms in silkworms
- Discovered a novel mechanism enabling silkworms to combat parasite attacks
Education
MBA - General Management
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
MSc - Molecular Biology
Bangalore University
Skills
- NGS Lab Operations Management
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Strategic Vendor & Supply Chain Management
- Cost-Per-Test (CPT) Optimization
- Project Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Lab Automation
- Clinical Assay Development, Validation & Optimization
Timeline
Senior Scientist III
Strand Life Sciences Private Limited
12.2021 - Current
Deputy Manager – Business Operations
Syngene International Limited
07.2021 - 11.2021
Manager – Research Informatics Lab
Strand Life Sciences Private Limited
09.2020 - 06.2021
Scientist III / Senior Scientist I
Strand Life Sciences Private Limited
04.2015 - 08.2020
Research Associate
Ganit Labs
03.2011 - 03.2015
Junior Research Fellow
SeriBiotech Research Laboratory,Central Silk Board
12.2009 - 03.2011
MBA - General Management
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
MSc - Molecular Biology
Bangalore University