Shivani braves Illinois winters and failing experiments—armed with grit, a mother’s unwavering love, and a dash of magical thinking. 

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Shivani Malik is a scientist and author.  She is the Senior Director of Translational Research at Kura Oncology. Her first book will come out in February of 2026!