Diyana became interested in a STEM²D career because of her curiosity about how shampoo works when she was just 12 years old. She was intrigued by how shampoos are created, how one might bubble up while another doesn’t, how one shimmers like pearls while another is clear. Although she didn’t know what kind of job or academic path she should look for to learn how to make shampoo for a living, she knew she needed to pursue science. The path led to her to specialize in industrial chemistry. From there, she found the path to research and development (R&D), and her childhood dream became a reality in 2006 when she began an internship at Revolution Cosmetics developing shampoos and conditioners.

Diyana joined Johnson & Johnson in 2008, where she worked in product development for skin cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and gel creams. Diyana was also responsible for making sure every product that was developed in a small batch worked just as well when it was scaled up to large quantities during the manufacturing process. Today, Diyana works in Regulatory Affairs in the Essential Health department, helping Johnson & Johnson follow the correct regulatory pathways to get products to market. Specifically, she works on products for babies.

In her spare time, she loves baking for friends and coworkers. She has been featured on POPSUGAR as a skincare expert and is one of only four millennial R&D scientists to be featured on a global platform, highlighting her work to develop a new skincare line.

Check out some of Diyana’s impressive awards and features:

• https://www.neutrogena.com/the-bar/meet-the-bright-young-minds-behind-bright-boost.html

• https://www.popsugar.com.au/beauty/what-skincare-products-should-i-be-using-in-my-20s-47454481

• https://www.popsugar.com.au/smart-living/interview-with-female-scientist-diyana-sudarsono-47557671

Diyana’s STEMspiration: Rosalind Franklin

Diyana's STEMspiration is Rosalind Franklin. Despite her family’s disapproval, Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) continued to pursue her dream of becoming a scientist. She faced gender-based discrimination and social barriers, but they did not stop her. Her research created the foundation of modern virology. Learn more about Rosalind.

What’s On Diyana’s Desk?

Want a sneak peek into Diyana’s day-to-day worklife? Taking a look at her desk gives you clues as to how she works and what she does! Here’s how she describes her workspace:

• (upper right): External Monitor to help me multitask and help my eyes, so it will not be too strained.

• (clockwise from upper right): Wireless headset to attend virtual calls without the wires circling around my body.

• I am still a pen-and-paper person. I have opened a new notebook this month. This has my to-do list and notes from my meetings. Some pages have my kid’s scribblings and drawings, too.

• Scrolling using a wireless mouse is so much easier and faster than using the in-built mousepad on the keypad.

• My handphone is always nearby so I can be reached in a jiffy. Most of the time, I also streamed Spotify and listen to music while I work.

• My work hub, the laptop. All my work is in here – emails, documents, data. If it decided to crash, I will be in huge trouble.

• I do not like clutter so maximum of three pieces of stationary on my desk, plus two colored pens to differentiate some notes. Highlighter to “cross out” the things I have completed from my to-do list.

• These sticky notes are to remind me of urgent things I need to get done by that day, and also questions I wanted to ask in a meeting I am attending.

• This squishy belongs to my daughter. I love to have it on my desk for days I need to release unnecessary tension. It serves as a cute paper weight too!

• I have dry lips which bleeds easily. This lip balm provides the right amount of moisture and has a natural pinkish tint, to brighten up my pale lips too.

• Facial spray is my midday pick-me-up. It will not only wake me up, but also provides my skin the hydrating boost.

• Water to keep me hydrated throughout the day.