Dr. Manisha Saini
Vice President and Secretary
Leadership
The people behind SciCook's mission to build dignity, nourishment, and empowerment.
Founder & Executive Director
SciCook
Founded in San Diego
Dr. Taher Sathaliya (MBBS, PhD)
Founder & Executive Director
My three passions—science, community, and food—inspired me to found SciCook.
Science: With a background in medicine, immunology, and drug development, I have seen how much we invest in treating illness—and how much more we can invest in prevention. I believe food is medicine and one of our most powerful everyday tools for supporting health and preventing disease.
Food: The kitchen is a second science lab for me. I see cooking as a series of biochemical reactions, and I am always experimenting to create meals that are both nutritious and flavorful.
Community: I believe everyone in our community should have equitable access to nutritious meals, practical knowledge, and meaningful choices.
Together, we can build a strong, healthy community—one meal and one person at a time.
"We carefully choose the right fuel and oil for our cars, so why should we treat our bodies any differently? Food is the fuel that nourishes our bodies—and nutritious, high-quality food should be accessible to everyone."
Our Team
Our growing team of dedicated leaders, board members, and advisors brings together expertise in medicine, nutrition, community development, and business to advance SciCook's mission.
Samantha Elliot
CFO
Want to Make a Difference?
Join our team of dedicated volunteers and help us build a healthier, more equitable community.