Pabodha Hettige

Pabodha joined the Methods Development lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard as the Research Scientist I in 2026. Her work focuses on building scalable, high-throughput single-cell multiomics tools to better understand how CRISPR perturbations affect cellular systems.

Pabodha completed her Ph.D in Biochemistry from University of Massachusetts Lowell focusing comparative transcriptomics behind skeletal muscles and muscular dystrophy. With completion of her PhD, she joined Fluent Bioscience where she contributed to the development of PIPseq single cell assay and later at Illumina following its 2024 acquisition. There, she continued her work on advancing single-cell CRISPR assays.

Outside the lab, Pabodha enjoys recreating nostalgic tastes and gardening. She also loves exploring quiet nature trails and soaking in the scenery with her family.