As a student in UBC’s Faculty of Science, I often hear my peers talk about how they plan to use their education to earn a six-figure income. In truth, it frustrates me to see how selfish my generation has become. We are receiving the best education in the world, and yet, it seems that the mindset of many science students and professors alike, has now become: get a lab, make a drug, set up your own company, and sell the drug for big bucks.
Yet, I recently had the pleasure of listening to a presentation given by Dr. Kishor Wasan. Dr. Wasan, director and co-founder of UBC’s Neglected Global Diseases Initiative (NGDI), renewed my hope in the type of science that goes beyond just me and my needs.
Dr. Wasan’s accomplishments are incredible, to say the least. In the seventeen years that Dr. Wasan has been an independent researcher at UBC, he has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 240 abstracts. He has won numerous awards, including the Canadian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences Leadership award for outstanding contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences. However, upon meeting Dr. Wasan, you will realize that despite all of his articles and awards, he is most proud of his work through NGDI.
Truth be told, Dr. Wasan was inspired by a medical student to co-found NGDI. When the president of the UBC Chapter of the Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) club approached Dr. Wasan one day in June 2009 and proceeded to tell Dr. Wasan how he should use his research and development of oral lipid-based Amphotericin B formulations (PubMed) to treat a neglected disease called leishmaniasis, which is a prominent cause of death in third world countries, Dr. Wasan did not even know what leishmaniasis was. Dr. Wasan says that at the time when the UAEM president challenged him to take action, he was more ready to start his own business and make millions of dollars, than to help others. Yet, the hope, determination, and inspiration he saw in his students moved him from greed to greater good; Thus, NGDI was created.
Image: Skin ulcer due to leishmaniasis
NGDI-UBC serves to unite research and initiatives for neglected global diseases and to ensure the delivery of essential medicines, vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, micronutrients, and prophylactic measures to those in need. For Dr. Wasan, this means that his development of oral lipid-based Amphotericin B can be delivered to countries where patients are suffering from leishmaniasis. Although it is a grass roots initiative, the essence of NGDI is to take UBC research on neglected global diseases from conception of the interventions to the final use in afflicted individuals.
All this being said, I hope that more and more scientists will also choose the path of helping others over the path of making money, much like Dr. Wasan did. After all, it is incredible to realize and necessary to understand that what we gain from our education can truly be used to save a life.
References:
- CBC Radio One Interview with Dr. Kishor Wasan
- NGDI – UBC
- Leishmaniasis – (PubMed Health)
- Dr. Kishor Wasan
