Before beginning medical school, Shivani earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering. During her time as an undergraduate, she had the privilege of working on biomedical research that sought to address real-world health challenges. This research simply would not have been possible without federal and institutional funding. It gave her the opportunity to engage in meaningful scientific work and laid the foundation for her path toward medicine.
Investing in research is not only about investing in scientists, but also in patients, families, and the growth of American medical innovation. Arkansas has the potential to be a leader in healthcare innovation and we can’t get there without congressional support.
Now, as a medical student, she’s continued to witness firsthand how vital research is, not just for scientific discovery but for delivering better care to patients. Unfortunately, she’s also seen many passionate researchers struggle due to the cuts in funding. Talented researchers are being forced to scale back or abandon promising work due to a lack of funding. These setbacks don’t just affect labs. They delay life-saving treatments, prevent innovation, and ultimately impact patients across Arkansas and the nation.
Her advocacy is rooted in these experiences. She joined this work because she wanted to go beyond the clinic and help push for policies that improve lives. As both a former pre-med and current medical student, she has seen patients whose lives have been saved by research and life-changing treatments. She encourages her members of Congress to oppose cuts to biomedical research funding. Continued investment is essential in improving the lives of many more patients in the future.