Rachel Desai (2024)

NIH
Milwaukee, WI

I served as a Health Specialist at the National Institutes of Health. My job involved identifying and translating the latest and greatest scientific research on chronic disease, chronic pain, the health of people with disabilities, and conditions disproportionately impacting women. I ensured the value of this research was communicated in an accessible way back to the American people and to Congress. I was essentially ensuring the accountability and efficiency of the research funded by NIH. The elimination of my role, and multiple others in my branch, means that this important research will be delayed in getting into the hands of medical doctors, patient organizations, and other scientists who build upon that work.

I truly believed in the mission of NIH and in serving the public. I have always wanted to be a team player and to contribute my skills in health research, policy development, and strategic thinking to advance our agency's collective goals. I took pride in my work, knowing that I was making a difference and advancing our "fundamental knowledge... to enhance health" as is the mission of the NIH. I'm formally trained as a research scientist myself, but I wanted to ensure at a high level that NIH-funded chronic disease research was making a real impact on the lives of everyday people.

The PMF program, for the one year I was involved, was absolutely life changing. It connected me to a whole community of talented alum and fellows, along with valuable leadership development trainings and courses. It showed me that I could be a true leader in my division and equipped me with everything I needed to get there one day. I've met people who I know will become life-long friends and colleagues. The PMF program allowed me to easily connect with anyone, including revered NIH leadership and scientists.