Macro Problem, Micro Solution — Breaking it Down with Dr. Sukanya Punthambaker

Breaking Barriers with Sukanya Punthambekar, Co-Founder of Breaking In this episode of The Chai Break Podcast, we dive into one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: plastic pollution. Did you know that humanity has produced over 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since the 1950s? Only about 9% of that has been recycled, with millions of tons ending up in our oceans each year. On a mission to combat this crisis is today’s guest: Sukanya Punthambekar, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Breaking. Sukanya brings over two decades of experience in life sciences and biotechnology. She has worked alongside pioneers like Dr. George Church at Harvard Medical School on groundbreaking projects in synthetic biology, sequencing, and protein engineering. Her career highlights include teaching neuroscience, leading collaborative research teams, and earning prestigious awards like the Department of Biotechnology Junior Research Fellowship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award from the University of Michigan. With her Ph.D. in molecular biology, Sukanya has co-authored impactful publications in top journals like Nature and Science. In This Episode: 1. Immigrant Story & Entrepreneurial Journey • Sukanya shares how her journey from India to the U.S. shaped her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation. • Founding Breaking: Discover what inspired Sukanya to launch Breaking and the pivotal moments that pushed her to take the entrepreneurial leap. • Challenges as a Woman of Color: Sukanya discusses navigating unique hurdles in the climate-tech space and how she overcame the barriers of VC funding disparities. 2. Making an Impact & Sharing Advice • Creating Impact: Sukanya shares the mission behind Breaking and the transformative change she hopes to achieve in combating plastic pollution. • Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Learn how women’s leadership styles can bring fresh perspectives and Sukanya’s key tips for budding women entrepreneurs. • Childhood Memories of Sustainability: Hear Sukanya’s reflections on growing up in India, where sustainable practices were second nature, and how those roots continue to influence her views today. 3. Spill the Tea • Sukanya’s chai ritual and her favorite snack pairing • The book she’s currently reading • Her life mantra • Fun facts about her musical background and family connection to the film industry Connect with Sukanya & Breaking: Learn more about Sukanya’s company and their groundbreaking work at Breaking.com. Thank you for tuning into today’s chaiversation! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Until next time, happy chai sipping! ☕ chaiversations.org