Novartis-NerdBlog

My transformation from
biologist to global citizen-
scientist
By Manishha Patel - April 20, 2015
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I’m a cancer biologist at the Genomics Institute of the
Novartis Research Foundation, and I adore my work. I love
Manishha Patel travels to Kenya with winners of a Novartis
Malaria Initiative employee fundraising campaign. Photos by
Nadine Schecker for Novartis AG
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trying to figure out kinks in cancer cells that we can
manipulate for drug discovery. I love studying and trying to
unravel molecular pathways. I love those moments, after
many failed theories and inexplicable results, when you say
‘eureka!’ and all the pieces fall into place. And I especially
love and feel blessed to work on projects that can have real
clinical impact and help patients. Until last month, I thought I
would spend my entire career working in research. But I just
took a trip to Kenya that changed the way I think about
everything. Let me explain.
Last year, Novartis employees were invited to participate in
an internal campaign to raise money for malaria. The internal
campaign complemented an external “Power of One”
fundraising effort by the Novartis Malaria Initiative and the
nonprofit Malaria No More. The principle was simple: $1 = 1
life-saving malaria treatment. I decided to get involved
because the premise was very clear-cut, and I thought that,
through my network, I should be able to generate a lot of
support for a global health issue that devastates so many
lives.
The response was amazing. I connected with family, friends,
colleagues and their contacts through phone calls, emails,
social networks and fliers, and I was able to garner over 330
supporters. As one of the winners of the internal campaign, I
was invited to fly to Kenya last month to witness first-hand the
physical and social devastation caused by the disease.
We visited a sugar production company in one of Kenya’s
hardest hit regions, where we met with local sugar cane
farmers. The region borders Lake Victoria, a breeding ground
for mosquitoes, which carry the malaria parasite. The rainy
season is particularly problematic. One farmer explained to us
how reliant they are on sugar cane production for their

livelihoods. He recounted how the rains are both a gift—
because they nurture such an important crop—and a curse—
because they foster the rapid growth of mosquito populations
that cause malaria outbreaks.
The farmers have all endured malaria-related tragedies.
Some of them have even suffered from the disease
themselves. While they are ill, the farmers have no choice but
to press on and work on their plantations for the sake of their
families. During the course of my visit, it became apparent
that these people don’t have access to education about
malaria. They also lack essential mosquito nets, diagnostic
tests and treatments, which could save many lives. Relatively
cheap interventions are simply out of reach for so many
Kenyans.
I had a similar realization when we met with medical
professionals and volunteers in Kibera, a Nairobi slum that
was another stop on the trip. We visited a clinic, and I was
struck by the lack of equipment and resources. Take the
histology lab. The histology lab processes patient samples for
a plethora of diseases, including malaria. I expected the lab to
be stocked with rapid diagnostic tests because the incidence
of malaria is so high in Kenya. Instead, lab technicians use
standard histology techniques to analyze blood samples and
make a diagnosis, which takes a minimum of 2 days. The
work is painstaking because technicians have to examine
each sample for parasites, which are often sparse. I was
impressed with the patience, dedication and community spirit
of employees and volunteers. They’re making a difference in
the face of tough odds.
And nowhere was the potential impact of such work more
apparent to me than in western Kenya, where we had a
chance to visit a school and attend malaria education

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12 Comments
corporate responsibility
Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation Malaria
Novartis Malaria Initiative
programs. I had a truly heart-wrenching moment there. I was
exploring the classrooms and halls, when I saw a little boy
lying on the ground. A teacher and I helped him up, and I felt
that his skin was on fire: most certainly a fever. He was
escorted home, which was literally just a few feet away. I
cannot stop wondering if this was a sign of malaria. I wish I
could have done something to help him.
I no longer see myself spending my entire career exclusively
in research. I’m determined to blend my love of science with
advocacy and outreach to the developing world. I eventually
want to be part of a team that brings research and resources
where they are needed most. I believe that if we all think as
global citizens, our advocacy can lead to extraordinary
progress.
Manishha Patel is a postdoctoral researcher at the Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation in La Jolla,
California. She is an avid aerial yogi and paddleboarder;
loves the sun, sand and salt of the ocean; and enjoys
globetrotting, meeting new people and learning about
different cultures.
12 ♥ 31 +
Benjamin Ndung'u

I cannot express how grateful I am to be part of Novartis and read
inspiring work and observations from scientist like Manishha Patel.
Having grown most of my life in what is considered Malaria belt
area of Kenya and experienced first hand the effect of Malaria
fever I cannot help but concur with Manishha observation. A small
fraction of Malaria patients dare to go to get professional care due
to the staggering cost (a typical dose of Malaria goes for $10) of
the tests and the time it takes to get the results back. Rapid
diagnostics kits that are cheap and accessible to local clinics
(health centers) will help to diagnose and safe life. Good job and
highlights Manishha.
+ Reply
April 21, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Thank you for your comments, Benjamin. I feel very blessed
to have been able to join the exceptional Novartis malaria
initiative team on this trip to Kenya.
I whole-heartenedly agree with you and am very proud to be
a part of Novartis. The malaria initiative is so vital for the
treatment and elimination of malaria in Africa.
Please publicize the ongoing Power of One campaign and
ask friends to donate $1 dollar for 1 life saving malaria
treatment!
https://www.malarianomore.org/po1/r=SOD4lLhFaK&b=whDhqgTmgX#/donate
+ Reply
Manishha
April 28, 2015 at 2:02 am
George Mwaura Mungai
April 21, 2015 at 6:07 pm

Kenya being a country in the tropical region of africa gives the
advantage for the vector to breed which causes high rates of
mortality especialy due to drug resistance.Special thanks to
Novartis for taking the initiative which boosts the government of
kenya,ministry of healt in Malaria prevention.
+ Reply
I support you! You’re a great soldier!
+ Reply
Qi Yang
April 27, 2015 at 2:22 am
Thank you, Qi! Although, the people surviving through this
awful disease are the real soldiers. We all need to help them.
Please donate $1 to Malaria No More. This is the cost for 1
life-saving malaria treatment. And get your friends to support
this cause as well!
Best wishes,
Manishha
+ Reply
Manishha
April 28, 2015 at 1:50 am
Izz
April 30, 2015 at 2:49 am

I am incredibly enchanted by your story. This is a once in a
lifetime opportunity, unless you make it your goal in life. I am so
proud of you and what you are accomplishing there. I truly hope
you get the opportunity to follow your dreams and make work like
this, your passion.
+ Reply
Izz, thank you for your wonderful comment.
My experience in Kenya has truly changed my career desire.
The work being done for tropical diseases is instrumental and
will have a global impact, I have no doubt. I look forward to
being a part of a team that helps to bring awareness and
eliminate neglected diseases in the future.
Best wishes,
Manishha
+ Reply
MANISHHA PATEL
May 5, 2015 at 12:51 am
Hi Manishha, It’s a wonderful initiative and I am very happy to
publicize your column with a 1$ donation.
+ Reply
Harsha
April 30, 2015 at 2:36 pm
MANISHHA PATEL
May 5, 2015 at 12:53 am

Harsha, you are awesome! Thanks so much for your support
of the Power of One campaign! It may be hard to believe for
some, but $1 really does make a difference for malaria
patients and their families.
+ Reply
This is an amazing article and is definitely working towards a great
cause! I think having a goal to have a career that blends
laboratory research and social outreach is inspiring.
+ Reply
Victoria Marando
April 30, 2015 at 10:58 pm
Awesome work and fantastic piece Manishha.
+ Reply
Brian Ouellette
May 4, 2015 at 6:52 pm
Thank you, Brian! And thank you also for your support!
+ Reply
MANISHHA PATEL
May 5, 2015 at 12:46 am

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MANISHHA PATEL
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