Shinjini Singh: Bridging Science, Wisdom, and Humanity
From a younger age, Shinjini Singh was drawn to 2 issues: individuals and books. Whereas books supplied her data, construction, and the huge expanse of science, individuals revealed a unique sort of reality—the unpredictability of feelings, struggles, and the deep want for connection. As she grew, she realized that understanding individuals was simply as vital as understanding analysis.
She labored as a Analysis Scientist at MD Anderson Most cancers Heart. Now, working as a Most cancers Scientific Trials Skilled at Cleveland Clinic, she sees this intersection come to life each day. She watched oncologists, surgeons, CEOs, and even sufferers flip to consultants—not only for scientific solutions however for perception past drugs. Science, to her, was not nearly knowledge and equations however about patterns—patterns of life, feelings, and therapeutic. She noticed knowledge in historic Indian sages, who lived not for recognition however for the betterment of others. She knew that the very best analysis wasn’t nearly discovery however about the way it touched lives.
In her journey, one lesson stood out: emotional intelligence is the center of management. The perfect leaders weren’t simply clever; they understood individuals, impressed belief, and created an surroundings the place everybody felt valued and empowered. She noticed that individuals hardly ever left jobs due to insurance policies; extra typically, they left as a result of they felt unseen by their leaders.
To Shinjini, her work is greater than a profession—it’s a calling, a accountability, and a bridge between data and humanity. She doesn’t see herself as only a researcher however as a medium of Shiv and Shakti, guiding her to make an actual distinction. Day by day she steps into work, she carries this understanding along with her, striving to heal not simply via science however via compassion, knowledge, and the ability of human connection.
A Journey of Information, Resilience, and Assist
Shinjini was born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, right into a extremely educated household. Her father, Dr. O. P. Singh, served as Professor and Head of the Division of Anaesthesiology at BRD Medical School, later turning into Dean till his retirement. Her mom, Mrs. Asha Rajput, devoted herself to elevating their household. Rising up on the medical school campus, Shinjini was surrounded by medical doctors, fostering a childhood stuffed with each educational excellence and a deep understanding of the medical world.
Her household roots hint again to Madhopatti village in Jaunpur, a spot famously often known as “The IAS Manufacturing unit of Bharat” for producing the very best variety of IAS and PCS officers in India. Nonetheless, her mom, a former NCC cadet and completed athlete, emphasised each lecturers and sports activities, guaranteeing that Shinjini had a well-rounded childhood. Excelling as an all-rounder, she was a high pupil, lead singer, greatest athlete, and head lady of her faculty.
Regardless of widespread misconceptions, Shinjini believes that astrology is deeply rooted in arithmetic and science. Her father, a agency believer in its ideas, was as soon as instructed that she would enter a discipline associated to medication and drugs, requiring excessive precision. Initially, he speculated neurosurgery, however as Shinjini pursued biotechnology, she realized that the prophecy had pointed towards molecular biology—a discipline that delves even deeper than organs and tissues, exploring the intricate pathways of DNA, RNA, and proteins inside cells.
Her educational journey led her to Banaras Hindu College (BHU), India’s premier establishment, the place she was chosen for a PhD program on the Institute of Medical Sciences. Whereas pursuing her doctorate, she married Anuj Srivastava, her childhood greatest buddy and strongest pillar of help. On the similar time, Anuj secured a job as a software program engineer at Infosys, identified for its rigorous entrance exams and coaching in Mysore. Now, he works as a Senior Information Engineer at Warren Buffet’s firm within the US. Coming from an equally completed household, his father, Dr. S.Ok. Srivastava, retired as Director Common of Well being Providers, at UP Authorities, whereas his mom, Mrs. Mala Srivastava has at all times been very supportive and happy with Shinjini’s educational {qualifications} and achievements. His brother, Akshay Srivastava, has held a number of management positions in IT and healthcare companies within the US, serving as a major motivator throughout Shinjini’s job search in Dallas.
Managing a long-distance marriage whereas pursuing a PhD was difficult. With Anuj working in Chandigarh and Shinjini finding out in Varanasi, their time collectively was restricted. They by no means had the prospect to construct a house collectively in India earlier than Anuj was supplied a chance to maneuver to america via Infosys. As she neared the completion of her thesis, this transition introduced uncertainty. Across the similar time, her father fell critically in poor health and was admitted to the ICU, including to her emotional turmoil. Regardless of the hardships, she persevered and efficiently submitted her PhD thesis, drawing power from her household and family members.
Her sister, Shalini, a devoted instructor in India, and her brother-in-law, Pankaj Singh, a politician, have at all times been immensely proud and supportive of her work. Lifelong friendships have additionally performed a vital function in her journey. Her childhood greatest buddy, Dr. Shalini Shukla, a pathologist in Delhi, stays a relentless supply of power, whereas the buddies she made throughout her PhD grew to become her second household, offering educational, emotional, and private help. She typically displays that she navigated the hardest occasions of her PhD due to their unwavering presence.
A particular point out goes to her mentor, instructor, and elder brother determine, Prof. R.Ok. Singh, whose steerage and encouragement made finishing her PhD attainable.
Shinjini’s journey is one in every of mental pursuit, resilience, and deep-rooted help from household and mates. From a childhood stuffed with educational rigor to navigating private {and professional} challenges, she stays steadfast in her perception that dedication, emotional intelligence, and powerful relationships are key to success.
A Pivotal Second in Her Profession
Working below Prof. Aggarwal, a extremely famend scientist, marked a turning level in Shinjini’s profession. He had performed a key function in discovering Tumor Necrosis Issue (TNF) at Genentech, a then-emerging biotech startup. His pioneering work on curcumin (present in turmeric) as an anti-cancer agent and its protecting function in chemotherapy and radiation remedy impressed her deeply.
In the course of the preliminary years of doctoral analysis, an sudden shift within the thesis subject occurred, transitioning from a molecular examine of Alzheimer’s illness to an investigation of the p53 gene in breast most cancers sufferers. This modification resulted from the unavailability of the required variety of sufferers as outlined within the unique speculation.
This part proved to be some of the arduous and difficult levels of the doctoral journey. Assist from household performed an important function in adapting to this transition. Help from a father’s community of medical colleagues on the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, facilitated the adjustment, whereas a father-in-law’s reference to an expert on the North Indian Railway Most cancers Institute expedited the gathering of tissue samples for protein and DNA evaluation. The unwavering help from each households proved invaluable, highlighting an vital lesson for guardians, significantly in India, to prioritize the profession aspirations of their daughters.
With a PhD in Most cancers Biology, specializing in the p53 gene in breast most cancers sufferers, she discovered herself immersed in groundbreaking analysis. Day by day, she witnessed main oncologists, surgeons, CEOs, and most cancers sufferers in search of Prof. Aggarwal’s steerage. Probably the most profound moments had been when most cancers sufferers, from early to superior levels, personally thanked him for his analysis and life-saving suggestions. It was then that Shinjini absolutely grasped the ability of being a scientist—analysis was not nearly discovery; it had the potential to vary and save lives.
A New Path in Scientific Trials
Simply as her profession gained momentum, one other sudden flip got here when Anuj needed to change jobs and visa standing, inflicting Shinjini to lose her work allow. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and on the finish of 2014, they discovered that PhD holders might apply for a Inexperienced Card below the Extraordinary Potential (EB1A) class. Decided to safe her future, she began engaged on her petition.
Her solely lacking qualification was editorial expertise—she wanted to serve on editorial boards of worldwide journals and overview scientific manuscripts. Rising to the problem, she labored tirelessly to achieve this expertise. By the point they submitted her petition, she was serving on the editorial boards of 7-8 internationally famend oncology journals and had reviewed round 200 scientific manuscripts.
Regardless of the struggles, Anuj remained her unwavering help, very similar to her mom had been throughout her early years. In 2017, she lastly obtained her Inexperienced Card, permitting her to work once more. Although she had initially looked for a fundamental science analysis place, she unexpectedly landed in Most cancers Scientific Trials—and that is the place the prophecy from her childhood absolutely unfolded.
Her father had been instructed that she would work in a discipline associated to “medication and drugs”, however much more exact than neurosurgery. Now, she was instantly concerned in drug improvement and scientific analysis—an end result she had by no means anticipated however discovered extremely fulfilling. Since 2017, she has remained in Most cancers Scientific Trials, utilizing her experience to contribute to medical developments that assist sufferers worldwide. She is grateful to all scientific trial sufferers for his or her invaluable participation, braveness, and contribution to advancing medical analysis, serving to to form the way forward for healthcare, and bettering numerous lives worldwide.
The Energy of Assist
Shinjini’s journey was not with out immense private struggles. The interval in Dallas was one of many hardest phases of her life, as she skilled extreme despair attributable to job search challenges and isolation. Being removed from family and friends, which had at all times been a vital a part of her life, solely deepened her struggles. Anuj supplied limitless help, comforting and inspiring her each night after work. Each of them suffered, but they by no means gave up.
When she lastly secured a place at MD Anderson, Anuj’s job required him to relocate to New Jersey and Chicago, forcing them aside but once more. Throughout this era, her siblings, Ajay and Neelam, graciously invited her to reside with them in Houston, offering the heat of household she wanted.
For Shinjini, household and friendships have at all times been the muse of her life. Simply as her family members have supported her, she has at all times stood by them, proving that success is not only about achievements—it’s concerning the individuals who stroll alongside you on the journey.
A Scientist’s True Calling
As a fundamental scientist turned scientific researcher, Shinjini by no means pursued her profession for identify or fame. She firmly believed that if her work contributed to curing debilitating ailments like most cancers, the popularity would come as a byproduct of her dedication. For her, the actual reward was the affect on sufferers and their households.
As an Indian-American scientist, she deeply respects her cultural heritage and sees a profound connection between historic Indian sages and trendy scientific analysis. She displays on how visionaries like Sage Vishwamitra and Sage Vyas not simply religious figures had been however scientists and physicians forward of their time. The Rig Veda, humanity’s oldest scripture, states that solely probably the most accountable, persevering people can dedicate their lives to this career, because it exists solely to serve society via data, analysis, and discovery. Shinjini sees this as a timeless reality—even right this moment, scientists and innovators form the way forward for nations, with america main as a worldwide powerhouse.
For her, science is a sacred obligation, not a way to private glory. “If somebody enters this discipline chasing fame, they’re on the mistaken path,” she says. Each morning, as she steps into work, she reminds herself: that her goal is to make a distinction in sufferers’ lives.
A Profound Loss & A Father’s Final Present
Like many, COVID-19 modified her life eternally—however for her, it introduced the deepest sorrow she had ever identified. She misplaced her father—her greatest buddy, her guru, her best supply of power. She had at all times dreamed of working at Cleveland Clinic, the highest multi-specialty hospital within the U.S., and used to ask her father when that dream would come true. On the time of India’s second COVID wave, she had a number of interviews lined up—however on Might 6, 2021, her father left for his heavenly abode.
The Indian borders had closed on Might 4, making it unattainable for her to journey. She couldn’t be there for her mom. The ache was insufferable. Overcome with grief, she needed to cancel her Cleveland Clinic interview, however an in depth buddy reminded her, “Isn’t this what your dad needed for you?”
Summoning all her power, she wrote to the professor, explaining her state of affairs. To her astonishment, he responded, saying he was ready for her. What adopted was a grueling eight-round interview course of—going through a number of the world’s main physicians, scientists, and scientific analysis consultants. By means of all of it, her thoughts was clouded by grief, and he or she cried typically, however she stored going, believing that her father was guiding her.
The evening earlier than her last interview, she noticed her father in a dream, smiling at her with satisfaction and pleasure. The following morning, earlier than the final spherical even started, the professor emailed her with a job supply. Overwhelmed with emotion, she collapsed in tears. It felt as if her father himself had made it occur—as if he now had powers past this world, shaping her future from above.
Her husband, Anuj, consoled her, reminded her of her power, and helped her collect herself for the ultimate interview.
Braveness, Dedication, and COVID-19
Even after securing the job, she by no means stopped pushing ahead. She labored tirelessly day and evening, carrying the load of loss in her coronary heart. In August 2021, one other storm hit—her mom fell significantly in poor health. With out hesitation, Shinjini and Anuj rushed to India to be along with her household.
Returning to work, she discovered herself on the frontlines of the pandemic, fearlessly working within the lab and hospital whereas COVID-19 surged round her. She witnessed firsthand the sacrifices of medical doctors, scientists, and caregivers, dedicating themselves selflessly to the struggle.
She salutes these true heroes—those that labored day and evening throughout the pandemic in each nation. And although she endured loss, separation, and wrestle, she continues her journey, understanding that science is not only her profession—it’s her karma, her goal, and her father’s best present to her.
A Lifetime of Resilience, Dedication, and Impression
All through her life, Shinjini has demonstrated exceptional power, perseverance, and dedication. She has confronted a number of the hardest challenges, but she has by no means given up. Whether or not it was battling despair throughout her time in Dallas, tirelessly working to safe a Inexperienced Card below the distinguished EB1A class, or transitioning fearlessly from fundamental science to scientific analysis, she has at all times proven resilience within the face of adversity.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a number of the deepest private losses she had ever identified. Shedding her father, her father-in-law, and one in every of her greatest mates, Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, inside a brief interval modified her life eternally. Regardless of being in such a state of affairs, she works each day now to make her dad and father-in-law really feel proud that he raised a very good and powerful daughter who needs to be a very good human being at all times and is making a distinction on this planet via her work and powerful conviction. She at all times devoted her achievements by retaining any award or recognition that she obtained, of their toes for his or her blessings.
Strengths & Progress as a Chief
Her best power lies in her relentless perseverance and willpower to make a distinction. Irrespective of the problem, she by no means allowed negativity or doubt to outline her. Nonetheless, one of many key classes she discovered in her profession was the significance of delegation. Having at all times been a scientist accustomed to dealing with each element herself, she initially struggled to delegate duties and belief workforce collaboration. Over time, she embraced teamwork as an important facet of management {and professional} development.
A Heartfelt Dedication
Shinjini is honored as IFAH – High 100 Visionaries in Healthcare & Well being 2.0 – Excellence in Healthcare. She can be serving as an Editorial board member in Internationally famend publications and has written quite a few guide chapters. Shinjini dedicates all her achievements and success to her dad and mom—particularly her father. She acknowledges that who she is right this moment is due to them. She additionally expresses deep gratitude to her husband, Anuj Srivastava, her greatest buddy and soulmate, who has been her unwavering help via each excessive and low. His love, encouragement, and perception in her have stored her robust via the hardest moments of their lives.
Ultimately, her journey is not only about private success—it’s about service, resilience, and making an enduring affect on the world.
Recommendation for Aspiring Leaders
For these moving into management roles, Shinjini Singh believes that one high quality stands above all others: emotional intelligence. She has noticed that true leaders aren’t simply outlined by their titles however by their skill to attach with individuals, perceive their wants, and encourage them. Addressing the ladies leaders, she talked about, “Each girl’s success is a step in the direction of a stronger nation. Their braveness, dedication & management are remodeling the world and provoking generations to come back with resilience.”
The Energy of Spirituality & Meditation
A deeply religious particular person, Shinjini meditates each day, believing that meditation brings readability, focus, and path in life. She shares that in moments of uncertainty or confusion, merely specializing in one’s breath can deliver steerage from the next energy.
As a Sagittarius in Vedic astrology, she resonates with the image of the half-human, half-horse archer—a seeker of data, knowledge, and reality, at all times aiming excessive and bridging the earthly and the divine.
A Lifetime of Goal & Service
Shinjini sees herself as a medium of Shiv & Shakti, right here to serve society, uplift humanity, and make individuals’s lives higher via her work. For her, success is not only about private achievements however about giving again, serving to others, and making an enduring affect on the world.
