Giving Compass' Take:

· In an interview with Lyrical Science, Rakitha Malewana discusses the opportunities he's had and motivation that drove him to design a preliminary stage HIV drug at a young age. Malewana goes on to talk about his future research goals and hope for advancing medicine.

· What can be done to improve health outcomes for people around the world? How can philanthropy help to fill research funding gaps? 

· HIV is a widespread disease affecting the lives of millions. Read about the investments needed to fight it.

Q: Rakitha, what are some of your proudest scientific accomplishments? If you could have unlimited funding for your research, what would you like to achieve in the next 10 years?

A: At age 15, as the youngest medical researcher in the history of Sri Lanka, I successfully designed a preliminary stage HIV drug which was able to grab the attention of many national and international authorities. My aim was really to help people achieve better health and well-being.

Q: Have you ever faced funding obstacles to your research? What kinds of resources are available to a well-published researcher like you who nevertheless lacks the official Ph.D. degree?

A: As a young scientist, the most crucial challenges I had to face were the absence of a medical research culture for non-degree holders — especially for young students. It was extraordinarily difficult for me to apply for grants. Now, we can apply for government and private grants, but the waiting time is often too long because we lack paper qualifications and can’t get on with our valuable research.

Now, we can apply for government and private grants, but the waiting time is often too long because we lack paper qualifications and can’t get on with our valuable research.

Read the full article about Rakitha Malewana’s story and the preliminary stage HIV drug he designed at Medium.