Currently the communications officer at Wagga's Local Health Advisory Committee, Dr Shaik is running for council on former mayor Rod Kendell's ticket Supporting Diversity.

Correlating with her science roots, her greatest focus is to see the council take greater action against climate change, developing long-term solutions rather than short fixes.

Additionally, wishing to facilitate more opportunities for Wagga's multicultural communities, she intends to also see an increasing inequality and support services for women and young people across the region.

Born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, she has always had a passion for nature and went on to study, research and teach horticulture before moving to Australia with her husband in 2007.

She went on to complete her PhD in agriculture from Charles Sturt University based in Wagga, falling in love with the region and choosing to raise her two daughters here.

"I lived in Sydney for a little while, but I felt that the community wasn't really friendly," she said.

"Here, I just walked past, receive smiles back, and it's such a warm, welcoming place to be."

Dr Shaik agrees that improvements need to be made to necessities such as roads and infrastructure, but her long-term aspirations if elected would see more support systems aiding youth and women, climate change addressed more effectively and multicultural inclusiveness grow.

"I want to see a better place for our children and future to thrive, and so I want to participate in the dialogue and policy making at that council level," she said.

"Coming from a scientific background, I will be somebody who can suggest and facilitate better outcomes."

When discussing roads and infrastructure, Dr Shaik thinks that it is important to consider the impacts climate change will have if long-term solutions are not implemented sooner.

"We have these extreme weather events where in summer our tar is just coming out," she said.

"It's really important that we are building our roads and our infrastructure to be subjected to more of the extreme weather events we're already experiencing."

While also advocating for more multicultural inclusion, she believes equality is just as important in terms of the rights of women to feel safe.

"We need more diversity everywhere we go, we need more equality and safety in terms of the workplace, and measures to protect those who may be affected by domestic violence," she said.

"I'm very passionate about making a change and making sure women get to live in a city that is safe for them."

In the lead up to this year's election, The Daily Advertiser has profiled the candidates looking to secure a spot on Wagga City Council.

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