The APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) is among the most respected awards in the Asia-Pacific, celebrating scientists whose work advances innovation while addressing real social needs. For many, even a nomination is an achievement — offering visibility on an international stage.

So when Dr Senthilmani Rajendran, better known as Dr Sindhu, was chosen to represent Malaysia for the ASPIRE 2025 Prize, she described the moment with gratitude. This year’s theme, “Toward AI-Bio Convergence: AI-based Inclusive Biotechnology Solving Social Challenges”, was a natural match for her work on MeMoSA® (Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere), a mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to detect early signs of oral cancer and connect patients to care.

At its heart, MeMoSA® was created to bridge healthcare gaps. By enabling remote screening, the app allows people in rural areas to receive expert assessment without long journeys to hospitals. In places where late-stage diagnosis is common, this technology offers a vital chance for early treatment. For Dr Sindhu and the team at Cancer Research Malaysia, it was never about building the flashiest tool, but about finding practical, sustainable solutions that save lives in low- and middle-income countries like ours.

Her years of clinical service with the Ministry of Health gave her a clear view of challenges in underserved communities. She recalls visiting villages in Sarawak where patients only sought help when the disease had already advanced. Instead of seeing obstacles, she worked with the Ministry and healthcare volunteers to create opportunities for innovation.

Dr Sindhu believes Malaysia has a unique voice in global science. While wealthier nations often drive high-tech advances, her journey shows that meaningful breakthroughs can also emerge from resource-limited settings, powered by creativity and commitment. “MeMoSA was never about being the most expensive solution. It was about being accessible, sustainable, and ultimately life-saving,” she explains.

Recognition on the APEC stage is not just personal success. For her, it opens doors for collaboration, strengthens support for digital health, and highlights the role Malaysia can play in global conversations on cancer control. Yet she insists the true measure of impact is simple: patients being diagnosed earlier and treated in time. As she puts it, “Science must always connect back to people. That is the heart of why we do this.”

Her path has been anything but traditional. Beginning as a dentist, then moving into clinical and digital health research. Today, her story inspires young Malaysians who want to create change. It is a reminder that persistence and purpose can open unexpected doors.

From villages in Sarawak to the international stage, Dr Sindhu’s journey shows how innovation, when rooted in empathy, can transform lives. And it demonstrates how the work of organisations like Cancer Research Malaysia can place local solutions on a global platform, ensuring no one is left behind in the fight against cancer.