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A 24 year old Auckland biotechnologist with a flair for enterprise, Privahini ("Priv") Bradoo, has been named as the latest recipient of New Zealand's most valuable scholarship to the United States - the Fulbright-Platinum Triangle Scholarship in Entrepreneurship.
The US$100,000 scholarship gives Priv the opportunity to complete an MBA at the prestigious Harvard Business School, where she will join a class of the brightest and most accomplished young leaders in the world. Born in India and educated in Oman, Priv moved to New Zealand alone, aged 16, to start university in 1998. She completed the University of Auckland's four year Bachelor of Technology programme with first class honours (specialising in Biomedical Science) in just over three years. One of the youngest recipients of a Foundation for Science, Research & Technology Bright Futures Enterprise Fellowship, she started her soon-to-be-completed PhD aged 20. Her doctoral research at the University of Auckland's Liggins Institute for Neuroscience, carried out in conjunction with biotechnology company Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd., has included the discovery of a novel gene family involved in brain repair, and proving the existence of a drug that has the potential to help millions of sufferers of brain disease. Professor Peter Gluckman, founder of the Liggins Institute and supervisor of Priv's PhD, has been impressed not only by her scientific achievement. "Privahini is arguably the brightest and most enthusiastic PhD student of the over 100 I have supervised, but it is her work outside the PhD that has been inspirational," Gluckman says. "She has been a superlative student and has wisely chosen a future based on her strengths as an entrepreneur and leader rather than as a pure scientist." While studying, Priv has exercised a passion for entrepreneurship in her extracurricular activities. Aged 21 she became the inaugural CEO of Spark* - The University of Auckland Entrepreneurship Challenge. The student-led voluntary venture aims to turn students' first class ideas into world class enterprises through training, mentoring and business plan challenges. Her contribution towards an ensuing "entrepreneurial revolution" at the university was recognised with the inaugural University of Auckland Business School Dean's Excellence Award in 2004. The success of Spark* led Priv to found Chiasma, an initiative aiming to encourage the spirit of enterprise amongst the university's biotech community. Professor Barry Spicer, Dean of the Auckland Business School, predicts a bright future for the up-and-coming entrepreneur. "From her background as a scientist, and her involvement with Spark* and Chiasma, Priv has come to understand better than most that science and technology are necessary but not sufficient conditions for wealth creation, which also requires business knowledge and expertise. I am confident that when she graduates she will make a major contribution to the commercial development of a science-based enterprise." At Harvard, Priv looks forward to the challenge of the business school's unique 'Case Method' of teaching. "I see the MBA as an experiential programme which will teach me as much about life as about business," she enthuses. "I look forward to being part of an environment where a lecture theatre is transformed into a dynamic arena where intense discussions, debates and sharing of experiences will help me attain insights into the realities and challenges of real-life business issues." Fluent in five languages, Priv possesses a vibrant personality, infectious enthusiasm, a passion for public speaking and an artistic flair, and is driven for success. "To me, being the best I can be is about constantly challenging myself everyday, making the most of every opportunity that ever comes my way with a spirit of enterprise, learning from every experience, and always dreaming the impossible dream without ever compromising my principles and integrity." Fulbright New Zealand's Executive Director Mele Wendt sees Priv as a superb ambassador for the Fulbright Programme's aims and values. "Priv is very special with her huge academic success, potential for business success, leadership skills and wonderful personality. I have no doubt that she will make the most of her time in the US and be an excellent Fulbright ambassador for this country. We are proud to have her take up this award. " Privahini Bradoo is undoubtedly a young New Zealander with a bright future,
and she plans to make her mark on the global business scene. "I want
to return to New Zealand and help fill the need for science-savvy business
leaders. With my growth as a science-savvy business leader at HBS, I want
to extend my classroom learning and step into an entrepreneurial career
in the biotech start-up area. In 10 years, I hope to lead the establishment
of a globally competitive, internationally recognised, innovative New
Zealand biotech enterprise and list in on the NYSE." ENDS Applications for 2007 Fulbright Graduate Awards close 1 August 2006 Links:
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