While in college, Qi Lin was securing a double major and had a pivotal decision to make before graduation: pursue a career in marketing or a career in chemistry. Fortunately, she chose chemistry and has since had an incredible career at Abbott in our Nutrition business developing products that have made a difference in the lives of so many.

“From a young age I always wanted to be a scientist. I was so curious about everything,” says Lin. Her interest in marketing came from her father, an analytical chemist who started his own business. Lin’s desire to pursue chemistry, particularly in the field of nutrition and food science, came from her life experiences. “I wanted to work in healthcare and help people.”

Lin grew up in China and moved to Singapore to complete her master’s degree. She then moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in the U.S., to secure her doctorate in chemistry. Those experiences had a profound impact on Lin and her work. "It made me want to do something for others and help them live a healthy life."

Lin joined Abbott’s Nutrition business in 2011 as an analytical scientist at our Asia Pacific Research and Development Center in Singapore, where she is now the senior lead for analytical research. Lin also helps set strategy for analytical science and food science for the business, using her experience with external organizations, such as being an active member of the ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL ANALYTICAL COLLABORATION (AOAC) INTERNATIONAL by co-chairing the working group and her collaboration with the Vietnam National Institute for Food Control. She is one of the founders of the Southeast Asia chapter of the AOAC and works closely with other scientists in the industry.

She was recently inducted as one of our Volwiler Honorees, a recognition reserved for our leading scientists who have made exceptional contributions to Abbott science. Lin’s expertise has been instrumental in the development of numerous products in our Nutrition business that have gone on to help people worldwide.

Lin’s life experiences influenced her vocation, but her experiences at Abbott continue to shape how she approaches her work. “I work with 60 to 70 people from 12 different countries in my department,” says Lin. “We all have different approaches and different perspectives that help us see things in new ways. And we are all welcoming of each other. That is what makes working at Abbott different from what I see at other companies.”