Nilendra Krishna Nair’s aspiration to combat pollution has driven him to significant academic achievements. The son of a former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Itendra Nair, he left Fiji in 2009 on a Public Service Commission scholarship to study in Canada.
“Growing up in Nasova and witnessing the pollution along the coast motivated me to pursue this path,” Mr. Nair shared. He made history as the first Fijian to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Planetary Health, Climate Change, and Nutritional Epidemiology from Harvard University.
His journey over thirteen years has not been easy, yet his resolve led him to achieve a double degree from Harvard, beginning with a Master’s in Epidemiology. Now at 31, Mr. Nair is a clinical genetic scientist at Mount Sinai Health System, the largest hospital network in New York City.
Having witnessed environmental injustices during his upbringing, he was inspired to be an agent of change. “Growing up in an urban community sparked my desire to initiate change within my household and eventually my community,” he explained.
Residing in the Nasova Police Barracks near the sea, he was particularly aware of pollution contributed by nearby communities. This environment shaped his interests and aspirations for environmental solutions.
Mr. Nair attended Nehru Primary School and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School in Suva before relocating to Canada in 2009 on a PSC scholarship, not completing his Form 7 education. After two years in Canada, he furthered his studies in the USA, completing his PhD in just four years, despite the typical six-year duration. “Surrounded by talented peers was challenging but also an opportunity for me to set high standards for myself,” he remarked.
Hanging onto his dream, despite moments of doubt, he found motivation in the sacrifices made by his parents for his education. Born in Labasa, he is now traveling globally, focusing on genetics and microbiome research to address the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the South Pacific.
“I aim to understand the genetic basis of diseases within the diverse Fijian population, an area often overlooked. I shifted from biological to clinical research to fill critical gaps in our understanding of diabetes and related NCDs,” he stated.
As part of his PhD thesis, he collaborates with the government of Kiribati to study the factors driving nutrition transitions in the area. Currently visiting Suva, he is also engaged with the Fijian community.
“My goal is to work closely with the Health Ministry and Fiji National University, and the feedback on my research concerning NCDs has been overwhelmingly positive,” he noted. His research seeks to redefine existing frameworks by exploring the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind NCD development, identifying genetic contributors to these diseases while considering environmental factors as well.
“I focus on disease prevention for future generations and aim to discover the most effective treatments,” he added. Mr. Nair’s work will continue at Harvard, where he has become the first Fijian postdoctoral research fellow and instructor, delving into the interconnectedness of climate change, planetary health, and human health.