Shakardokht (Shakar) Jafari isn't your typical entrepreneur. Her story is a whirlwind of war, resilience, and a groundbreaking invention that has the potential to change cancer treatment forever.
The scientist, whose company is based at the University of Portsmouth's Innovation Connect centres, will have her achievements commemorated with a special Purple Plaque this month (October 24).
The accolade is Innovate UK's twist on the blue plaques that commemorate influential and pioneering historic figures. Shakar is the founder of TrueInvivo, a pioneering MedTech company developing revolutionary cancer treatment technology.
Purple plaques are being displayed at schools across the country to recognise the achievements of the winners of the prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award. The Award also sees recipients receive £50,000 grant funding and one-to-one mentoring to scale up their businesses and bring their pioneering innovations to market.
There are over 200 Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award winners who are developing inspiring solutions to pressing societal, environmental, and economic challenges; from multi-grip bionic arms for amputees, an AI that curbs your unhealthy cravings, and satellite data to detect long-lost archaeological sites.
Anyone wishing to attend the public event on Thursday 24 October to celebrate Shakar's award can find more information on the Eventbrite page.
Defying Tradition: A Fight for Education and a Better Future
Born in war-torn Afghanistan, Shakar's life was shaped by displacement and loss. Losing her sister to illness due to a lack of proper medical care inspired her to fight for a future where these losses wouldn't be commonplace. Against societal norms, she fought two arranged marriages that had been decided at her birth and as a teenager, a bold move that initially strained relations with her family, and educated herself in secret, sneaking out at night to study by homemade lantern light. However, when she finally reached university, a rare accomplishment for girls in her community, her academic success became a source of unexpected pride. Returning home, she braced for tension, only to be met with open arms and congratulations. Her achievements had transformed her into a local celebrity, softening her father's stance on education. This outpouring of support solidified her determination to pursue a degree in radiation technologies, a field where she could make a tangible difference.
From Tragedy to Innovation: Sparking a Revolution in Cancer Treatment
After losing her own father to cancer, Shakar was fueled by a desire to make a difference, and delved into the world of cancer care. A scholarship for a master's degree in medical physics at the University of Surrey brought her to the UK, followed by her family as she embarked on a PhD. Juggling studies with a part-time job at a hospital and a growing family was a constant struggle, especially with her husband's job search. Just when the weight threatened to force her to quit, another scholarship arrived, allowing her to continue her pioneering work.
Shakar's research focused on a sobering reality: 30 per cent of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy experienced treatment failure or complications. Working in a hospital environment, she saw firsthand how research often lagged behind the immediate needs of patients - errors needed early detection to adjust further treatment sessions. This sparked a revolutionary idea. Inspired by the composition of optical fibres and the jewellery she had been making to help fund her studies, Shakar experimented with readily available silica beads as an alternative radiation dosimetry material for measuring radiation doses within the body. A trip to a craft store for these beads and an experiment yielded promising results as the beads allowed radiation to be more targeted with a more accurate dose.
Building TrueInvivo: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Shaping this discovery into a viable solution wasn't easy. Years of research, late nights with support from neighbours and friends, and a relentless drive to gather data in record time (three months compared to the usual thirteen) were just the beginning. After completing her PhD and achieving the accolade of being the first Afghan woman to earn a PhD in Medical Physics, Shakar recognised the need to take her innovation out of the lab and into the real world. Mentorship from an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Surrey equipped her with the skills to navigate the complexities of commercialisation whilst being a full-time student and also working part-time at the hospital. By the end of 2014, TrueInvivo was established.
Shakar's success has been recognised through a string of prestigious awards and impactful programmes. The UKTI programme facilitated crucial market research, while the Setsquared partnership offered invaluable insights into international markets. The Innovate UK Women in Innovation award financed the first working prototype of a fully automated reader for the detectors to have the results in timely manner for clinicians to take action and correct the treatment error for the next session of radiotherapy treatment. Their Incubation Programme provided a six-month training programme, equipping her with the knowledge to expand TrueInvivo's operations to the US, attracting interest from the world's largest cancer treatment centre.
But the road to success wasn't smooth. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed clinical trials, and the loss of a major investor due to the virus threatened to derail her progress. Even a personal battle with cancer, diagnosed just days before discovering her pregnancy, couldn't stop her. She persevered, navigating a delicate balance between her own treatment and its impact on her unborn baby. Despite wanting to test her own invention on herself, the technology hadn't yet received full approval. She was able to experience firsthand some of the frustrations of cancer patients, which only made her more determined.
Her achievements are celebrated by the Woman in Innovation Award, commemorated with a purple plaque soon to be displayed at the University of Portsmouth, and the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. These accolades sit alongside recognitions for COVID sustainability, and participation in the Academy of Engineering's Shott scale-up programme. This programme, focusing on leadership skills, empowered her to confidently return to the CEO role at TrueInvivo, allowing her to focus on the technological advancements driving the company's success. Shakar was recently named a Top 5 finalist in the Health Tech category at DiversityUK's 10th Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech event.
Shakar Jafari at Innovation Connect where her business is based.
A Global Mission: Making Advanced Care Accessible to All
Innovation Connect at the University of Portsmouth is dedicated to supporting innovation and providing an environment designed to accelerate groundbreaking work like Shakar's. Finding a home for her business at the University offers great convenience, placing her close to home and research students. Additionally, the vibrant business community fosters collaboration and the customisable workspace provides huge value. Innovation Connect tailored the space to Shakar's needs, ensuring ideal conditions for her research.
Shakar's relationship with the University extends beyond her current base at Innovation Connect. Since 2014, she has mentored MSc and PhD students, fostering academic excellence (nearly all graduating with distinction, some even receiving the "Best Project" award). Shakar actively involves students in TrueInvivo projects, giving them multidisciplinary experience and contributing to her own research through their learning outcomes. Her collaboration with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, helping to solve clinical problems, showcases her commitment to translating her research into real-world benefits for patients.
Now, with her sights set on the future, Shakar is determined to make her technology a global force for good. Her goal is to make advanced medical care accessible not just in developed countries, but also in resource-limited regions, bringing hope to cancer patients worldwide.
Shakar's message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: believe in yourself. Her journey is a testament to the power of unwavering determination and the ability to overcome any obstacle.
Want to learn more about Shakar's incredible story? Her book, available at major bookstores, offers a deeper dive into her remarkable journey. You can even get a signed copy by visiting her at Innovation Connect!
