[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – Not just an infectious disease doctor, but also the leader of one of the latest clinical trials of a Covid-19 antibody to treat patients with the virus.
Dr Shirin Kalimuddin, a consultant in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Singapore General Hospital, is the principal investigator for a clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody.
The monoclonal antibody will prevent the Sars-CoV-2 virus from entering cells.
Dr Shirin says: “I am hopeful that this trial can contribute in some way to finding an effective treatment for Covid-19.
“As there has been no effective treatment for the virus so far, this antibody could be used to treat Covid-19 patients if it is shown to be effective.”
The trial, which is run by SingHealth’s Research Medicine Unit, began last month after about four months of preparation. The antibody is being tested in healthy volunteers and the trial is currently in the first phase of three.
As principal investigator, Dr. Shirin, 39, oversees the entire research process, from recruiting volunteers to patient care, follow-up, and data analysis.
He is also conducting research to study how the immune system responds to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and saw Covid-19 patients last year.
The demands of working on the front lines have affected the mother of two daughters aged six and nine, who worked up to 12 hours a day during the peak of the pandemic.
Dr. Shirin, whose husband is an orthopedic physician, says, “When my youngest daughter was in kindergarten last year, I was unable to attend her school performances, not even Zoom’s.
“I felt a bit guilty about missing out, but for those I can attend, I make sure to be fully there and present.”
She says her hope for International Women’s Day next Monday is that women have more opportunities to realize their full potential.
“I hope people realize that in the workplace, women are not one-dimensional but multifaceted, so different women will have different talents and abilities.
“Their opinions have value and should be valued and respected.”
[ad_2]
