Zankha Patel is skilled at making lateral career moves. In January 2001, she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry with a minor in biology from Temple University. A few years later she received a master's degree in quality assurance from the same university.

One of Zankha's first jobs as a college graduate was as a chemist with a pharmaceutical company. After exploring various branches of chemistry (including biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry), Zankha took a job as an assistant analytical chemist with another pharma group.

By 2003, she landed a position as a quality assurance auditor with a healthcare company, where she rose to senior level. In 2007, Zankha joined Abbott's Point of Care Division as a senior quality systems specialist. She went on to serve in various roles as a senior supplier quality auditor, division supplier quality auditor, and division quality systems manager.

In regulatory affairs, Zankha helped Abbott obtain federal government approval for drugs and permission to create new products.

During the fall of 2017, Zankha joined Abbott corporate engineering, where she held the position of director of quality with oversight of associated harmonization projects. Two years later, she moved to Abbott Transfusion Medicines as a director.

Zankha is a member of the American Society of Quality. Her certifications include ASQ Certified Biomedical Auditor and Certified Lead Auditor with emphasis on ISO 13485. She is a member of several employee resource groups at Abbott. They include Women Leaders of Abbott, Women in STEM, and the Asia Leadership Network.