Page 32 - The Indian EYE 050324

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 03, 2024 | The Indian Eye 32

NEWSMAKERS OF THE WEEK

Selected stories about Indian diaspora from our website www.theindianeye.com

RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI DR GEETIKA SRIVASTAVA

Congressman awarded the 2023 Physician leads ‘Project Asha’ for

Public Officials Award oncology clinical trials in India

n Indian-American physician Dr Geetika Srivastava is leading an initia-
tive of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with
Athe White House Cancer Moonshot Program which will significantly en-
hance access to oncology clinical trials in India. Named ‘Project Asha’, it aims
to enhance care and outcomes for cancer patients through joint efforts.
ongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was awarded the 2023 Public Offi- Dr Srivastava, a hematologist-medical oncologist and medical officer in
cials Award by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) for his “doc- the FDA’s Division of Oncology 3, Office of Oncologic Diseases, brings enor-
Cumented, significant contribution in the areas of clean water legislation, mous expertise to this role, particularly in gastrointestinal malignancies. In-
public policy, government service, or another area of public prominence that dia’s population comprises nearly 20% of the global populace, yet only a mere
resulted in improvements to the water environment.” 1.5% of global trials are conducted within its borders. Project Asha arises as a
Congressman Krishnamoorthi was recognized for his contributions and crucial response to this disparity.
advocacy for water safety, including supporting the Great Lakes Restoration The project’s focus on clinical trial/research training aligns with the pri-
Act, the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Action Act, and local orities outlined in the US-India dialogue. It emphasises training for early ca-
water projects from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. reer researchers and the facilitation of patient-centred clinical trials in low-re-
“I want to thank the Water Environment Federation for the honor of the source settings, supported by Indian pharmaceutical expertise.
2023 Public Officials Award and for their continued efforts to improve water The project stems from the landmark Official State visit of Prime Min-
quality across the country and the world,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. ister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2023, where he and US President Joe
“Clean water is essential to a strong and functioning society, and since Biden committed to alleviating the cancer burden in India. The two leaders
1928, WEF has prioritized training its professionals in the field to make announced a US-India Cancer Dialogue aimed at advancing cancer preven-
healthy and safe water a reality for everyone. I look forward to continuing to tion, early detection, and treatment.
work with WEF and my colleagues in Congress to make critical investments Prior to her tenure at the FDA starting in 2022, Dr Srivastava served
in the water infrastructure on which we all depend.” as the Oncology Section Chief at Memorial Hospital, University of Colorado
Krishnamoorthi was elected to Congress in 2016 and is now in his fourth in Colorado Springs. She received her medical training at the prestigious All
term representing Illinois’ 8th District, which includes Chicago’s west and India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi before pursuing a Master of
northwest suburbs as well as the 41st ward of the city. Epidemiology degree at the University of Texas, Houston.
Born in New Delhi, Krishnamoorthi migrated to US alongwith his par- Her professional journey also included a stint as a graduate assistant at
ents and was raised in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from Princeton Uni- the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center, followed by residency training
versity with a degree in mechanical engineering and a certificate from the in Internal Medicine at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, and a hema-
Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. He then graduated with tology-medical oncology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
honors from Harvard Law School.
Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com