Read an exclusive excerpt from At the Wheel of Research, the biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan

The former chief scientist at WHO recalls her early years, the deep friendships she forged, and strategies she evolved for coping with pressure.

The scenic beauty of Geneva and its surrounding areas held allure for the WHO staff. Among Soumya’s friends were Dr Mariângela Batista Galvão Simão and Dr Princess Nothemba Simelela from South Africa. Soumya and Mariângela, who hails from Brazil, hit it off quickly and along with Dr Simelela, fondly known as Nono, planned weekend getaways whenever it was possible to get away from work.

Geneva is surrounded by majestic mountains and an hour’s drive takes one to the French Alps,