Scientist Pritam Panda, originally from a remote village in Odisha, India, has overcome numerous obstacles to achieve success. From living in a thatched hut with his single mother to becoming a scientist at the renowned German Cancer Research Center, Panda’s journey serves as an inspiration to many. Despite facing rejection for his PhD applications nearly 200 to 250 times, he persevered and was eventually rewarded by former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Panda’s early life was marked by financial difficulties, but his mother’s determination and his own academic brilliance paved the way for his education. Although his family wanted him to pursue medicine or engineering, Panda aspired to become a scientist. In 2018, he had a disagreement with his family, who wanted him to take a loan for his studies. However, Panda was determined not to burden his family with debt and had a vision to contribute to his home state of Odisha. It was at this time that he discovered the field of Bioinformatics, which resonated with his aspirations.
As a scientist at the German Cancer Research Center, Panda specializes in cancer research and treatment. He highlighted the advancements in cancer treatment, particularly the use of Next Generation Sequencing Technology, which can provide a comprehensive profile of an individual’s cancer risk through a simple blood test. Panda has successfully treated over 1,100 young leukemia patients from around the world and aims to develop treatments that protect patients’ immune systems, leading to less invasive and painful procedures.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Panda seized the opportunity to publish a research paper and proposed 38 drugs using Bioinformatics Study for drug design, including a drug for asthma patients. One of the proposed drugs is currently undergoing clinical trials by a major pharmaceutical company, leveraging the understanding that COVID-19 affects the respiratory system.
Panda’s entrepreneurial journey began after completing his double Masters when he started a bioinformatics services company. Encouraged by his wife, he realized the value of his knowledge and decided to create something significant.
Rather than attributing his success solely to his family, Panda credits his enemies for motivating him. He recalls instances where people taunted his mother and belittled him for his poverty, which fueled his determination to prove them wrong. Now, those same individuals express pride in his accomplishments.
In his personal life, Panda is happily married to his college sweetheart, and they have a child together. Despite his achievements, he remains grounded and acknowledges the influence of his late grandfather, who served as a guiding light during his formative years.
Panda’s ultimate goal is to establish advanced technology for cancer detection and treatment in India, eliminating the need to rely on other countries. His journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
Prasanta Patnaik