Get to know two new coworkers through their answers to fun and goofy questions. And keep reading for a special “throwback” fun facts with a longtime Enterprises’ colleague.
Harinder Singh, Subject Matter Expert – Translational Sciences
How did you get into the industry? I have worked primarily in the academic world as a Professor at the University of Chicago (1989-2009) and also at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (2013-2018). I have also been an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a leading biomedical research foundation (1989-2009). Finally, I have crossover experience in the biotech world having managed Immunology R&D for Genentech in San Francisco (2009-2013).
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? Born in Chandigarh, India and grew up as a teen in Madison, Wisconsin. Consider myself a cultural hybrid. Lived in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Cincinnati.
Where in the universe would you like to visit someday? Would be ecstatic about visiting Mars if presented the opportunity.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? Two grown up kids who are working or studying in the Bay area.
What’s your least favorite word? Interesting.
What makes you a geek (if you consider yourself one)? Am I a geek? No, but I like to think critically and as deeply as I can.
Vani Srinivasan, Engineering Manager – Jupiter
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? India.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? One son.
What’s your favorite quote from a movie or TV series? “There’s tomorrow” from Gone with the Wind.
Do you have an unusual talent or hobby? I’m a writer. I have published short stories and written a novel. Working on my second novel now.
If any musician or band could give you a personal concert, who would it be? Ed Sheeran.
Which is better: board games or video games? Board Games.
Throwback Fun Facts
Bruce Gay, Senior Program Manager, NGI Program
How did you get into the industry? I have been in project management my entire career but have only been working in health care since 2011. That was when I started to work for a competitor health plan across town (one that shall remain nameless).
How long have you been working at UPMCE? I have worked at Enterprises since July 2013 when we were known as the Technology Development Center.
What’s changed the most since you started here? The Enterprises organization has grown tremendously over the past five years. We no longer have everyone sitting on the same floor in Bakery Square. In fact, we are now spread across several offices and locations.
Thinking about your work, what is the funniest thing you used to use tech-wise that you don’t use anymore? It’s not exactly funny, but earlier in my career I used the fax machine quite a bit to fax contract documents back and forth with vendors. The second funniest thing is flip phones.
As technology has evolved throughout the years, what stands out to you the most? There are both positives and negatives to the accelerated pace of technology as it pervades our daily lives. I love being able to look something up on the internet from my mobile phone or have maps and directions given to me when needed. The downside is that I find we are more distracted during the day by our phones, social media, and constant notification from emails.
What’s your favorite part about working here? I enjoy the complexity of the challenges, both human and technical, that we face in helping to improve delivery of health care. I find my colleagues are also passionate and have a sense of purpose that you may not find working in another industry.
Do you have an unusual talent or hobby? I have the ability to recognize subtle accents when others are speaking. Although I grew up near Raleigh, North Carolina, I do not speak with a southern accent unless I am around by brothers.
Share any fun fact: I recently started to listen to Jamaican dancehall (e.g. Sean Paul) and Dutch rap/hip-hop (e.g. Boef), both which I find surprisingly good, yet NSFW. I also blog at www.brucegay.com
