Leadership

Dr. Taher Sathaliya brings his three passions — Community, Science, and Food — together through SciCook. A trained immunologist with extensive experience in cancer and autoimmune disease research and drug development, Taher combines scientific insight with a deep compassion for people and their well-being.

His love for food began when he moved from India for his graduate studies. Missing his grandmother’s home-cooked meals, he realized that the only way to recreate that comfort was to cook them himself. The kitchen soon became his second science lab — a space to mix ingredients, apply the right temperature at the right time, and discover how science and flavor could come together to nourish both body and soul.

As a drug development scientist, Taher often faced a difficult realization: while billions of dollars are spent creating new drugs and therapies, far less effort goes into disease prevention, even though food plays a profound role in health and chronic illness. SciCook emerged from that awareness — an effort to create a nucleus for growth in preventive health, grounded in the science of nutrition and the culture of compassion.

Taher’s sense of purpose deepened through his volunteer work at soup kitchens and community food programs, where he was struck by the lack of quality and dignity in how charity was often delivered. This experience inspired the idea of an equitable eatery — a place where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can enjoy nutritious meals served with dignity.

He believes that nutritious food is essential for the optimal function of both mind and body, and that people facing hardship deserve real nourishment — not leftovers. As he often says, “We don’t put any fuel or oil in our cars; we choose the right one for it to run well. How can we put just anything into our bodies and expect them to function optimally?”

Through SciCook, Taher channels his scientific expertise, culinary passion, and community spirit to create wholesome, evidence-based meals that empower people to live healthier, more dignified lives. His vision is to build a world where good food, knowledge, and opportunity are shared by all.