Finding purpose and building belonging: Kumudra Nyun’s journey at Helix

Before she found her footing in the lab at Helix, Kumudra Nyun was chasing sunshine — and maybe something more.

Born and raised in Myanmar, Kumudra moved to the U.S. as a teenager. She finished high school in San Francisco, then moved to San Diego for college and never looked back. “It was love at first sight,” she says. “The sunshine, the ocean, the people. It all felt like home.”

That sense of familiarity and assurance didn’t come as easily in her career, though. After graduating, unsure of her next step, she got a job at Helix with the intention of exploring a future in medicine. What she didn’t expect was to find purpose in her career and belonging with her teammates and leaders. So much so, that she reshaped her career goals.

Today, Kumudra is known for her kindness, her energy, and her dog Arlo (who hikes, jogs, and paddleboards right alongside her). But she’s also built something deeper — a career rooted in science, mental health advocacy, and community.

Keep reading to learn how Kumudra found purpose in her work, what keeps her grounded, and her advice for finding a workplace where you can grow and feel like you truly belong.

From uncertainty to purpose: A career reimagined

When Kumudra joined Helix, she didn’t think of it as a long-term career move. She was imagining a future in medicine and viewed her lab role as a stepping stone to medical school. But that plan started to shift. “Helix was my first real experience in a clinical lab setting,” she says. “I never imagined that working here would inspire me to pursue becoming a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist.”

As she settled into the work, she discovered she liked the structure, the problem-solving, and the quiet sense of impact. But more importantly, she liked who she was becoming in the process. She had space to grow, take on new challenges, and feel ownership over her contributions.

The company culture played a big part in that shift. “I’ve always been someone who strives to give 100%. I’m a bit of a perfectionist,” she says. “But it’s the leadership at Helix that has made me feel seen and supported in that journey.” With that support, Kumudra stopped thinking about roles and started thinking about impact. And what began as a job started to feel like a calling.

Finding meaning in the mission

In her four years at Helix, Kumudra has worked on thousands of patient samples. But there’s one story that changed how she views her work forever.

“A few months ago, a dear friend of mine lost their mother to cancer,” she says. “By the time they discovered it, it was already too late.” That loss brought the mission of Helix into sharp focus. “What if she could’ve known sooner? What if DNA could have told her what was coming?”

Helix’s commitment to empowering lives through DNA suddenly felt personal.

“Cancer is like a silent thief that hides behind the curtain until it’s too late,” she says. “But the work we do at Helix… feels like shining a light into that darkness.”

For Kumudra, lab work isn’t secondary background healthcare work like people tend to think it is. It’s the foundation of care. “We’re the ones behind the scenes, testing samples that directly impact diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes,” she explains. “We are the backbone of healthcare; quiet, but vital.”

That perspective fuels her drive. Every test, every result, is a step toward a future where healthcare is more predictive, preventative, and personalized. And for Kumudra, that’s where purpose lives.

Support in action: What a healthy team looks like

What makes it possible for Kumudra to show up and do this meaningful work day after day? A group of coworkers that works like a real team. Walk into the Helix lab on any given day, and you’ll see teamwork in motion. If one person finishes early, they jump in to help someone else; no questions asked. “Our lab team is small and closely connected,” Kumudra says. “We’re all cross-trained, so we’re able to support each other seamlessly.”

That kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose. It also comes from the top. “[Our leaders] don’t just assign tasks,” she says. “They ask questions, listen to feedback, and invest in my growth.”

It’s that combination of trust, respect, and connection that makes even the toughest days feel manageable. “The camaraderie, support, and laughter we share have created a work environment that feels more like a community than just a job.”

Creating space for healing: Leading the Mental Health ERG

Kumudra didn’t set out to be a mental health advocate. But after years of personal struggle, the opportunity to lead Helix’s Mental Health Employee Resource Group (ERG) felt like a calling she couldn’t ignore.

“I’ve been navigating mental health challenges long before I joined Helix,” she says. Growing up in a culture where mental health and emotions were rarely discussed, she often suffered in silence. “I didn’t have the language for what I was feeling or to understand what I was going through.”

At one point, the weight became too much. “I believed I was a burden,” she shares. “That moment remains the lowest I have ever faced, but in many ways, it also became the turning point of my life.”

With time, therapy, and a strong circle of support, Kumudra began to heal and wanted to help others do the same. So when a colleague asked her to take over the Mental Health ERG, she said yes. “It felt like the perfect opportunity to turn that passion into action.”

Since then, she has hosted mindfulness events, led open conversations about burnout, and run monthly drop-in sessions for anyone who just needs a reset. “Sometimes we stretch together for ten minutes. Sometimes I lead a short meditation,” she says. “They’re simple, low-pressure moments; but they matter.”

Her goal is clear: to create the kind of safe space she once needed. “I know what it’s like to suffer in silence,” she says. “And I never want anyone else to feel that way if I can help it.”

Leading with empathy: Lessons from ERG leadership

Leading the Mental Health ERG has changed how Kumudra shows up — not just for others, but for herself. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the power of active listening,” she says. From the start, she made it a point to ask employees what they actually needed, and then to actually follow through.

She’s also learned to speak up with intention and to rest without guilt. That balance helps her show up with consistency and care in both her ERG and lab roles. “It’s easy to give and give, especially when you care,” she says. “But I’ve learned to balance care for others with care for myself.”

That mindset has shaped her in all areas. She’s become a stronger teammate, a better leader, and someone who leads by example.

Advice for job seekers: What to look for in a workplace

After years of growing her career and building community at Helix, Kumudra has learned what it really takes to thrive professionally and personally. Her advice for job seekers is clear: don’t just look for a job. Look for a workplace that makes you feel supported, valued, and safe to be yourself. Here’s what she suggests:

• Speak up for yourself. “No one can read your mind, and your needs won’t be met unless you voice them,” she says. If something isn’t working, start the conversation. Chances are, you’re not the only one feeling it.
  
• Protect your energy. “Work will always be busy, but how you show up to it matters.” Set boundaries without guilt. Your well-being is just as valuable as your time.
  
• Don’t ignore burnout. “Rest is not a reward. It’s a necessity,” she says. Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human. The best workplaces recognize that.
  
• Ask thoughtful interview questions. Don’t be afraid to ask how the company supports employees’ growth and mental well-being. “You’ll be spending 40+ hours a week there, so you deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported.”
  
• Passion isn’t everything. “You can be passionate about your work and still feel exhausted or unsupported,” Kumudra says. “Find a place where you don’t just survive but truly thrive.”

Kumudra’s journey shows what’s possible when a workplace makes space for growth, healing, and purpose. At Helix, she found more than a job. She found a community that values both scientific impact and human connection.