A community medicine specialist, an associate professor at Jamia Hamdard, author and of late, the nodal officer of the Covid-19 vaccination centre at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSAR), Dr Shaikh dons many hats. Growing up in Mumbai’s Malad, Dr Shaikh struggled with identity issues ever since she was a young boy and stereotypical, negative reinforcements of the transgender community from those around only furthered her mental trauma. But epitomizing the saying, "However many storms are within you, there is always room for more,” Dr Shaikh, previously known as Zakir Hussain, has never turned down any opportunity to take adversity in her stride.