Jeeshan believes the exciting applications of his research are just around the corner. What thrills him about space is that to study anything while on board a shuttle you have to be economical and use your resources to their fullest potential. His work on micro-fluidics has the same focus, and he foresees a time when it will translate from the laboratory into the lives of patients, providing improved care at reduced costs, effectively making the results available to those who would otherwise lack access to such treatment. He believes research for the sake of knowledge to be important but that progressing from abstract pursuits to concrete results is truly exciting. When asked to summarise the potential impact of his current research, he pauses before answering. “Well, we’re talking about a point-of-care solution that’s easy to use. This is the bio-medical equivalent of cellular telephone technology. In effect, it’s a handheld device allowing local caregivers to bypass huge infrastructures and take a solution to the patient.”
So how do Rhodes Scholars have fun? Do they actually have down time? In Jeeshan’s case, he spends his summer in France studying French. Why? Because as the youngest member of Canada’s Millennium Scholarship Foundation Board, he feels it is incumbent on him to be proficient in both our nation’s official languages. So, he’s doing something about it. Yes, he’s also trying to finish the fifth Harry Potter novel so he can go see the movie; and yes, he loves starting the day at the local “boulangerie,” enjoying a pain au chocolat (that’s a chocolate croissant for those of us back in Alberta) and a bowl of café au lait; and yes, admits he did go see Transformers, though he was disappointed. But above all, Jeeshan is all about applying research and helping others. There’s just no doubt that when he looks back in 30 or 40 years…when he remembers his first trip to outer space…when he reviews the accolades and prestigious appointments…he won’t have to wonder if his life was able to impact others. It will be there in black and white.