Dr. Namita Gandhi is a scientist with a Ph.D. in immunology and over two decades of experience battling rare and immune diseases in the biotech world.

By Dr. Namita Gandhi

Amid measles outbreaks and rampant health misinformation, it's more crucial than ever for children to understand their immune systems. That's why I wrote my first children's book, "Immune Heroes."

As a scientist and immunologist with 20 years in biotech, including developing groundbreaking therapies like Dupixent®, I know the immune system's vital role in overall health. Learning about our bodies helps us care for them better.

Few children's books on immunology exist, and those that do often read like dry lists of facts. Science should be told as a story, an approach I use in my professional work and find essential for engaging children. Recognizing this gap, I wrote “Immune Heroes” where immune cells come to life, led by Captain T, the helper T cell, uniting to defend the body from invading bacteria. I represent the workings of our immune systems in a fun way, tapping into multimodal learning with visuals and repetition—techniques I used to overcome my reading disability.

Several obstacles stood in my way when I decided to become a scientist. Countless times, I questioned, "Am I smart enough?" By embracing my passion for learning, I unmasked my intellect behind my reading difficulties, using unconventional study methods. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, I was not expected to prioritize my career ambitions. Even as I advanced professionally, there were forces that tried to silence my voice. Creating this book brand has allowed me to reclaim my voice.

With 20% of STEM graduates discovering their passion for science before high school, I hope "Immune Heroes" inspires children to be curious and imagine beyond their barriers. I especially want to encourage young girls to see science as creative and beyond the stereotype of wearing a lab coat.

My next book will explore vaccines and boosting our immune systems to outsmart viruses.

Dr. Namita Gandhi is a scientist with a Ph.D. in immunology and over two decades of experience battling rare and immune diseases in the biotech world. When she's not busy developing groundbreaking therapies, she's inspiring the next generation of scientists through mentoring, sponsoring science labs, and leading global educational initiatives.

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