What do you find most rewarding or enjoyable about the LSM program?
Upon joining the LSM program, I expected my classmates to have similar academic and career interests. However, I quickly discovered a diverse cohort with varied passions and impactful contributions to their communities. The most rewarding aspect of the program is this inspirational network. I am constantly motivated by my peers' dedication to excellence and their innovative approaches to solving real-world problems.
Working on interdisciplinary projects has allowed me to apply my skills in real-world contexts while learning from my peers. The supportive and collaborative environment within LSM really encourages me to challenge myself and strive for the stars. That and the forever friends.
If you have completed an LSM internship, where did you work and what did your work involve? What was the most rewarding feature of your internship?
The summer after my sophomore year, I completed my life-sciences side internship at ByHeart as a clinical research intern where I supported the Nutrition Science team with infant formula formulation. My work involved engaging in the first-ever comprehensive study on immune cytokine profiles of human breast milk and putting the results and analysis together in manuscript form. I also data mined 5+ years of unstructured data using various statistical sofrwares to identify trends that could directly impact product line development.
The experience was particularly rewarding because the re-launch of their flagship product was scheduled during my internship time- for which much of my research and work was contributing to. Beyond this, being the sole intern on the Nutrition Science team as a part of an already very streamlined company, I was able to do a significant amount of cross-divisional work where I was able to see how my clinical research translated to R&D and impacted other sectors of the company.
Are you doing research currently? If so, where and on what, and what do you like about it?
I am currently doing research at CHOP in the Nutritional Policy lab where I am coordinating a program focusing on nutrition intervention for low-income or overweight parents to learn fundamental cooking skills and nutrition best-practices. I deeply enjoy being able to see the immediate impact of my work through the gratification showed in the conversations I have with the trial participants post-call. The smaller-lab setting allows for much more oversight and a true understanding of the processes and impact involved with the work!
What is the favorite thing you’ve done at Penn so far?
Participating in the Y Prize competition at Penn has been one of my most rewarding experiences. This opportunity allowed me to leverage my cross-sector background in crafting a business pitch for a life sciences application. My freshman year a large group of LSMers and I spent nights working on a finalist-winning project and a year later we won the grand prize, which transformed into a year-long project. This journey provided invaluable learning experiences and was supported by a fantastic network, enriching my personal and professional growth.
What main extracurricular activities do you do at Penn?
My primary extracurriculars include PennThillana, the Indian classical dance team on campus, for which I’m a co-captain. Much of my role involves choreographing our show pieces and mentoring underclassmen. I'm also involved with Locust Bioventures, the biotech consulting club on campus, as well as Wharton Women in the Pro-Bono Consulting group. I also serve as one of the editorial print editors for WALK Fashion Magazine!