TEDxLSU speaker Hector Alila brings hope to the fight against cancer

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Esperance Pharmaceuticals CEO Hector Alila is no stranger to a challenge. While growing up in Africa, the 63-year-old pursued his education with a determination and faith that lead him to a successful career in the biotechnology industry. Today, he is taking on one of society’s greatest challenges: the fight to cure cancer.

Esperance is offering hope through the development of a new class of targeted anticancer drugs that selectively kill cancer cells without harming normal cells. Outside of his ground-breaking research, Alila brings hope to the lives of women and children in Kenya and Tanzania through his charity, the Mika Foundation.

I recently spoke with Alila, who is one of the speakers at the TEDxLSU event on March 5, to learn more about the passion behind his work and what inspires his spirit to give back.

What was your biggest inspiration when you were growing up in Tanzania?

I was born in Tanzania but I grew up for most of my life in Kenya. My biggest inspiration was education, especially science. I was always curious about how things work in biology. My parents inspired me that there was no limit to how far you can go if you work hard. My parents taught me God helps those who help themselves, and nothing is impossible if you hang in long enough to make it happen.

What does this year’s theme “Why” mean to you?

Asking “why” is the seed for new ideas. I have been able to come up with new ideas by questioning  “why” things look the way they do.

Now that you no longer live in Baton Rouge, what do you miss the most about the city?

I miss the kind people, friends, food and Dr. William Hansel, who is still working at 97-years-old. He was my professor at Cornell University, and he is my inspiration. I want to be like him when I grow up!

What inspired you to conduct cancer research?

I saw many friends die of cancer and I believed I could make a difference.

If you could ask another TEDxLSU speaker a “why” question, who would you ask and what question would you ask them?

I would ask Amanda Staiano what inspired her to conduct research in childhood obesity.

What’s your biggest passion outside of your research with Esperance Pharmaceuticals?

Helping poor children and widowed women who survived the AIDs epidemic in Tanzania and Kenya. I work with like-minded friends to develop products to improve their health, education, sanitation and nutrition.

If you could give your five-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

When you grow up, be smart, read a lot and play less! And never give up!

Your company’s name translates to “hope” — what’s your biggest hope for 2016?

That Esperance will make cancer history soon!

What’s your favorite way to relax after a day at work?

I read biographies of very successful people.

Do you have a special ritual or item that reminds you of growing up in Tanzania and Kenya?

My dad’s personal bible, in Swahili, that he gave me before he died in 1991. It reminds me of who I am and my time with him and our family. I also have art work and other paraphernalia of African origin and pictures of beautiful African savanna landscape; and oh yes, how can I forget, African Soukous music.

What’s your biggest motivation behind your work with the Mika Foundation?

To help the people of Mika lead a better life through education and providing them with the tools that can help them become independent and self-sufficient. I want their children to be as blessed as I am.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see behind-the-scenes sneak peeks. Want to see Hector’s talk? Visit tedxlsu.com.