Undergraduates on the Cutting Edge of Discovery

Transcript

Part of the appeal of college is focusing on things that matter to you. Prarthana was given the freedom to explore her lifelong interests while pursuing her career goals, by taking advantage of UIC’s unique and competitive pathway that guarantees admission into one of more than 20 professional programs. Over to you, Prarthana.

– Thanks Alex. Hey everyone, education has always been a priority in my family. I knew I wanted a college that would help me explore different academics, research opportunities and my artistic interests. Because I found a program that has already guaranteed me a seat in the medical school, I can explore it all. Here at UIC, I’m combining math and computer science with my pre-med studies. With medicine and technology growing more intertwined, having a computer science background will help me provide better and more innovative care for future patients. UIC’s emphasis on experiential learning encouraged me to get involved in research even as a first year undergraduate. In fact, I’m part of a team studying how nutrients can impact the response of specific chemotherapy drugs on cancer cells. Conducting bench work and working with other driven students and faculty researchers has taught me focus, patience, and persistence with the underlying drive for discovery. UIC does a great job supporting student research. Recently, I was awarded with a travel grant from the UIC Honors College to present at Harvard’s National Undergraduate Research Conference. But I’m not always studying, you can catch me exploring my creative side by learning Bharatanatyam, a South Indian classical dance form. I enjoy performing across Chicago and conducting residencies at Chicago public schools. On campus, I’m part of Downtown Voices, the premier acapella team. We enjoy singing at performances, UIC sports events and even at an occasional Cubs game. I could not have asked for a better college experience. I’ve been able to explore each and every one of my interests in the beautiful heart of the city of Chicago. I can’t wait to continue my future education at the College of Medicine, integrating my research background with patient care. That’s all for me, back to you Alex.

– That’s an amazing example of how the impact from UIC student and faculty research can create a difference in people’s lives, especially for an undergraduate student. Keep up the great work Prarthana, that was awesome.