Global Awareness
Global awareness is a key component to the viewpoint with which I view the world. Knowledge and appreciation of a diverse set of perspectives is critical to open thinking, and involvement with my own culture allows me to better appreciate and understand my own heritage and perspective. To this end, I have made a concerted effort to get involved with Indian cultural organizations, specifically the Indian American Association and OSU Genesis. Through IAA, I have served as an awareness chair, educating the Ohio State community on different aspects of the Indian American social group and raising awareness for issues affecting it. This experience has allowed me to learn about issues affecting my own community and has increased my knowledge about the Indian American community at OSU. OSU Genesis is an Indian Fusion All-Male Dance Team, and has given me a unique look at the creative expression present in Indian culture. Tying in choreography from rural Indian villages (Bhangra) and from Indian cinema (Bollywood), I have learned about the emotions and rituals tied to these unique cultures.
Original Inquiry
As a student on the premedical path, research and original inquiry are crucial to the progression of the field. Admission into medical school even requires involvement in scientific research to ensure students have the requisite skills and knowledge specific to the generation of new knowledge. To this end, I have taken a deep involvement in biomedical research, specifically through the Spinal Cord Injury lab of Dr. Jessica Lerch. I have committed 15-20 hours a week for the past year and a half to this endeavor in an effort to understand, learn, and practice the process of original inquiry and scientific research. I have learned laboratory techniques, the scientific research process, personal accountability, and project management through this experience, all skills that will equip me for a career centered around original inquiry and research in the future. I plan on continuing this commitment for the remainder of my time here at OSU, and possibly beyond.
Academic Enrichment
Undertaking a rigorous and thorough curriculum has been a cornerstone of my college experience. I have made an effort to take challenging and diverse courses, and have resolved to take as many courses as I can manage. While my first two years at OSU were heavy with premedical courses, I still made time to engage in courses from a diverse set of fields. Coursework in linguistics, philosophy, and food science allowed me to venture outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself in new ways. As I continue to take new General Education requirements I will be making an effort to venture into new fields and studies, expanding my breadth of knowledge. As I start to engage in graduate coursework next semester I will be challenged with a new form of academics, and I will be able to prepare for my studies into medical school. Continually raising the level of difficulty and diversity in my studies allows continued growth, and will serve as a head start for graduate studies to come.
Leadership Development
Through my extracurricular involvement I have strived to take on roles of leadership and responsibility. I currently serve as an awareness chair for Indian American Association, Vice President of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Outreach Organization, and as a Neuroscience Ambassador. These roles have allowed me to develop skills of communication and organizational management that will be crucial to my career as a physician. More specifically, I have been engaged in the Buckeye Leadership Fellows program through the Office of Student Life. This program has pushed me to work outside of my comfort zone, and has given me critical feedback to improve my leadership style. Through the lens of healthcare management, I have been able to apply leadership theory to specific, real world problems through the challenges of the program. I have seen immense growth and development since joining the fellows, and look forward to continued involvement.
Service Engagement
At the onset of my college experience, I set a goal of involvement in community service to achieve at the end of 4 years. I spoke with my premedical advisor and to other medical students, and determined that a goal of 700 hours would be both ambitious and feasible for my involvement. This would also translate well into my medical application, as would a diversity of experience in community service. To this end, I have volunteered with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the Emergency Department, at the Nisonger Center here at OSU, at my local temple, and with various organizations supporting those with neurological disease. I plan to continue this in the future and get involved with organization outside of medicine.