Q & A with Manoj Saxena: The motivation for being a researcher and a clinician

Manoj Saxena, Research Fellow in the Division of Critical Care and Trauma at The George Institute, PhD student, and Intensive Care Physician at St George Hospital in Sydney talks about why being a researcher and clinician is important to him.

What inspires your work?

As a clinician, I have the ability to be part of a team that makes a difference to patients and their families. As a researcher, I have the opportunity to make a difference to thousands of patients and the health care system.  It is inspiring to be involved in both.

What are you currently working on?

A program of work trying to understand how a patient’s body temperature can affect the way they recover after severe infections or different types of brain conditions, such as strokes or injuries as a consequence of trauma. We have also a very well developed program on fluid management for critically ill patients and I am beginning to get involved in this too.

What are recent research highlights you have been involved in?

The SAFE study, the CHEST study and the NICE-SUGAR study have added an enormous contribution to global health.  As a result of these studies, the world has learnt about intensive care fluids that are safe to use and how to manage blood sugar for patients who are critically ill.

What attracted you to working at The George Institute?

The people and the research. I really admire the quality of the work being produced in the field of critical care and trauma.  The large, globally relevant studies being conducted that answered questions that were relevant to clinicians caring for intensive care patients whether they worked in low-, middle- or high-income countries, are something I  wanted to be a part of and contribute to. Working here now, I enjoy the positive atmosphere and how there is always a solution to a problem.

A saying I live by is…

In dwelling, be close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.