Scientist Spotlight: Malvika Singhal

Welcome to Enable Biosciences’ Scientist Spotlight, a semi-regular blog post highlighting one of our scientists working to bring Enable’s technology to fruition.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I am a recent college graduate from UC Berkeley, and I am interested in pursuing research broadly in developing diagnostic tests using gene technology and modeling disease spread. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of the lab?

I enjoy learning new languages like Welsh, writing, and tutoring as hobbies outside of work. I am fortunate to also have time to start pursuing my interest in public policy and science communication through wonderful organizations like the National Science Policy Network. Science policy literacy is important in understanding the impact that one’s science has directly on the community, and this will always be relevant.

How did you find Enable?

I found Enable Biosciences through my own research in local Bay Area companies that are tackling diagnostics for COVID-19. I realized that my background would lend me the skills to be able to help with this developing effort. When I read the company’s paper on ADAP technology, I had so many questions and was drawn to Enable Biosciences as a workplace.

What are you working on at Enable?

I have had the great opportunity to work on many projects so far. My projects have mostly been centered around testing for Type 1 Diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 virus. I am glad to be working on my current project for SARS-CoV-2, because it deals with the intersection of sciences and Public Health. It is humbling to be part of the effort to better understand the virulence of SARS-CoV-2, so the negative effects of the pandemic can be better managed in the future. In addition, I have been also working ardently in improving the equipment management in the lab and working with the Hamilton robots to achieve efficient testing methods.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Enable Biosciences?

I really appreciate the sense of community and common understanding among the scientists that work here. The environment is very supportive, and I thrive in the collaborative setting. I am also fortunate to work at Enable Biosciences, since the small group setting allows me to learn about the projects other fellow scientists are working on as well.