What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Leadership isn’t defined by a title; it’s defined by the support you provide to the team. As the developer of research tools, leading from behind the code—ensuring the data is robust—is just as vital as leading a presentation.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

Developing and deploying a specialized Research Software tool at Boston Children’s Hospital. Transitioning from a master’s student to lead developer in a world-class clinical setting has been incredibly rewarding.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

I am driven by the belief that software should never be the bottleneck of science. In the world of mass spectrometry, we generate massive amounts of data; my “why” is the challenge of turning that noise into actionable insights.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

Leading the development of our new research tool and getting to showcase it at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 2026 conference. It was a huge opportunity to step out from behind the computer screen and discuss my work with experts from around the world.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Impact.

How do you define it?

I love that my technical skills as a developer can have a real-world effect on science. For me, it’s not just about writing code; it’s about the impact that code has on the researchers using it and the pediatric outcomes we are striving to improve

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

I recently discovered AWIS, and it has already had a profound impact on me. It has been incredibly empowering. AWIS has given me the confidence to move forward with my career goals, knowing I have a community of women supporting me.

Raagasahithi Yarrabadi is a Research Assistant and lead developer at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she builds technical tools for mass spectrometry research. After earning her Master’s degree, she focused on creating software that turns complex data into clinical insights for pediatric care. She wants to ensure that technology helps, rather than hinders, scientific discovery. Raagasahithi is passionate about bridging the gap between behind-the-scenes coding and front-line innovation.