WASHINGTON: An orthodontist and researcher-turned-legislative aide, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D, is a Congressional Fellow, sponsored by the American Dental Association. He has worked for the past two years as the Senior Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), a member of the House Science Committee.

He has worked on NASA policy in the wake of the Shuttle Columbia disaster, a stint which he described as both “challenging and rewarding.”

In an interview with News-India Times, Sawhney said that he handled science and health issues for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee whom he met two years ago, while “pounding the pavement looking for a first job on Capitol Hill.”

He recalled that he “had come from private practice and a research lab, and was talking to anyone who would listen, explaining how I wanted to get involved. One staffer on the Science Committee clued me in that Jackson Lee was looking for a scientist to handle her Science Committee work and cover health care. It was a great match. “I love the work. There is a constant barrage of information on every issue under the sun. I like knowing what is going on, and working with others who are committed to making this nation better.” Very soon, Sawhney would move to the Senate side as his Congressional fellowship takes effect from this month.

About his Congressional fellowship, Sawhney said, “I start in September as a Congressional Fellow. The fellowship is administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and sponsored by the American Dental Association.

“After that year, I hope to find a way to continue working in the realm of health policy four days per week, and spend one day per week as an orthodontist, either in private practice or at a dental school. If it works out, I’ll be one happy Indian-American dentist.”

Sawhney has a B.S. in Biology from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (1989); D.D.S. from UNC-CH (1995); a Masters Degree in Orthodontics — University of Washington (1997); an Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology — University of Washington (2001). He was also a Rotary Foundation Scholar at Sydney University in Australia (1991).

The son of an immigrant Punjabi couple who came from New Delhi to North Carolina about 45 years ago, Sawhney’s father was professor in the Sociology Department of the North Carolina University, while his mother worked as an accountant. Sawhney was born in North Carolina. Both his parents are now retired and live in Raleigh. He also has a sister who is married and is a dentist in Raleigh.

Asked about his views on the need for Indian- American community participating in the political process, he spoke of how important it was for the community, which has a heavy involvement in health care system, to get involved because “real changes come from the Capitol and not the lab.” Clarifying this, he said: “I am an orthodontist and a researcher. I had planned to go into academics, using my knowledge of health as a clinician and a scientist to push American health care to a higher level. A few years ago, I realized that what is holding back the American health system is ineffective and inefficient health care policy. Real change would need to come from the Capitol, not from a lab. So, I came to Washington to learn how the policy is made, and how I might be of service in making it better. I think there is a huge potential for improvement, but it will take a grassroots movement of knowledgeable and caring individuals to make progress.

“I think Indian Americans, with our heavy involvement in health care, in academics and in small businesses have much to contribute, and much to gain from the discussion. I hope more people will get involved.”

About his commitment to his career, Sawhney said: “I just really want to make a difference. I am curious and work hard, and have gotten excellent training over the years. Now, I am looking for a way to put it all to work. People seem to appreciate that and have given me some wonderful opportunities. “Now the American Dental Association has given me a Congressional Fellowship, so I can move to the Senate side and concentrate on health policy for a year. I hope my luck lasts.”

Despite his busy schedule, Sawhney finds time to pursue his hobbies of playing golf, tennis, and soccer, and is learning whitewater kayaking. He also reads a lot to try to keep up with what is going on in science.