2022-2023 Student of the Week Profiles
Nash Benton
Even as a child building models in his spare time, Nash Benton has always exuded a
passion for civil engineering. He realized as he grew older the staggering scope of
our crumbling infrastructure in need of updating so that it can continue to serve
communities in the 21st century. Now as a freshly minted graduate with degrees in
Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, Nash anticipates starting his own
engineering firm to
help with that need – one that will strive to reduce infrastructure’s environmental
impact.
Though exciting, starting his own firm would just be expanding the work that Nash
has already begun implementing. For his Honors capstone, he devised a way for a construction
company to decrease its carbon footprint by producing electricity from the water drained
out of a quarry into the surrounding watershed. Nash proposed installing a wind turbine
into an existing stream and then tying the electricity produced there into the nearby
power grid.
These creative problem-solving skills were cultivated during Nash’s co-ops. For his
first, he tested materials on an Ann Arbor construction site to ensure they met appropriate
design specifications. He later helped edit designs for highway bridges during another
rotation. Nash’s most recent co-op was a bit less traditional, though, and had him
travel internationally to Berlin to work for the startup Neurospace GmbH. The company
designs and manufactures rovers that will be able to operate on the moon. Nash worked
mostly on the business side of the company helping with marketing, editing papers
that were being presented at conferences, and applying for awards on behalf of the
company to gain more recognition.
With his diplomas in hand, Nash plans on refining his digital design software skills
so he can next pursue positions engineering large aerospace, defense, transportation,
energy, and manufacturing facilities.
Leadership Positions: “I've held many leadership positions within my department. Those include President
of the student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Structural
Engineers Association of Ohio, and Chi Epsilon – a civil and environmental engineering
honorary society.”
Madhu Rami Reddy
Taking inspiration from the pain and chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Biology
major Madhu Rami Reddy has set out as an undergraduate researcher to tackle another
deadly virus: Ebola. Better understanding the transmissibility of the dreaded pathogen
is only one of the many ways 
that the Honors Rocket and aspiring physician is striving to save lives globally and
locally.
The insidiousness of Ebola is due to how it spreads – hijacking healthy cells to replicate
as it eventually overwhelms the host organism. Madhu is working in Dr. Malathi Krishnamurthy’s
lab to investigate which Ebola proteins affect the host cells' pathway and how these
proteins interact with the host cell’s defense mechanisms to assume control of it.
The insight provided by his findings will hopefully be useful in developing new Ebola
therapeutics. Stopping its spread is no small task, but Madhu brings to it laudable
determination. When he graduates this semester, he will have been conducting this
research for an impressive three straight years.
The hours racked up in the lab have not been the only outlet for Madhu’s humanitarianism.
He serves as the Vice President for GJ – Alleviating Hunger and Food Waste, a volunteer
organization that distributes surplus food to food banks, soup kitchens, food pantries,
and religious centers. Other campus roles include the Vice President of the campus
chapter of HOSA – Future Health Professionals, a Presidential Ambassador, and a member
of Levis Leadership UToledo. Madhu somehow finds the energy on top of all of that
to work part-time as an emergency medical technician!
When Madhu starts medical school in the Fall at UToledo’s College of Medicine and
Life Sciences, he will be continuing a journey of healing that had begun years earlier
as an Honors Rocket.
Proudest Achievement: “I made the President’s List seven times throughout my time at the UToledo.”
Eliana Charnock
Though she has yet to graduate, Eliana Charnock’s budding career as a social media
influencer is already off to an impressive start! The skills she has learned through
her Digital Marketing major and minor in Entrepreneurship, Family, and Small Business
have been amplified by an incredible set of opportunities to create digital content
for her fellow Rockets and analyze how they consume it.
Eliana works for the UToledo Office of Marketing and Communications as one of their
Social Media Interns, posting to the university’s official channels and editing campus
promotional videos. The ability to practice growing a brand and implement industry
techniques learned in her social media strategy courses has provided an invaluable
jumpstart to her professional future. She has also grown tremendously in her video-editing
skills as well in the role, having just learning the basics a few years ago.
Beyond gaining career experience as an undergraduate, Eliana is also capitalizing
on her Honors capstone project as a chance to conduct market research. She is creating
a film that will compile interviews of Toledo area college-aged peers about their
experiences with and thoughts on social media. The common themes Eliana detects throughout
the interviews will then be edited together into a conclusion video.
With graduation right around the corner, Eliana cannot wait to begin the next chapter
of her life and grow as a professional. She has already lined up two freelance digital
marketing jobs for over the summer, but her ultimate goal is to build her own wedding
videography business. She has already begun work to realize this aspiration and has
a few weddings booked for later this year!
Campus Involvement: “I am very involved with Soul Purpose – a women’s organization on campus. I have served
as a leader in the organization for three years and am currently the president. We
help to show women on campus their value, worth, and identity, and I have made lifelong
friends from it!”
Samie Kummar
Samie Kummar aims to help save the environment one sustainably designed product at
a time. Industry and manufacturing could benefit greatly from the kind of innovation
made possible by a Chemical Engineering major who minors in Chemistry as well as Green
Chemistry and Engineering. Food, energy, pharmaceuticals, and plastics – the sky is
the limit for this forward-thinking Rocket!
Samie has been involved in the UToledo Engineering Council, having served as the Vice
President of Community Outreach, the Vice President of Programming, as well the Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Liaison. In that role she has helped provide accommodations
for people with disabilities, assisted with visa and Green Card issues, highlighted
all cultures in the organization, and promoted inclusion of LGBTQI+ individuals. Samie
has also promoted opportunities for members to further their career development through
plant tours and mock interviews.
The organization also recently hosted an event under Samie’s leadership that focused
on addressing issues many women face in the workplace and highlighted their representation
in STEMM fields. Responding to a theme this semester of challenging subconscious bias
in the workplace, the goal of the panel was to undermine relevant stereotypes in an
attempt to create a more productive and understanding workplace.
Over the last two years, Samie has also worked as a research assistant for the Chemical
Engineering Department’s rheology lab. She even attended the North Central AlChE conference
and competed there in the student technical presentation competition. Samie placed
first at the regional competition and will represent the North Central district at
the national competition in the Fall!
Along with research, education, and student organizations, Samie has also completed
multiple co-ops and will be conducting another over the Summer. She has previously
worked at First Solar, a Perrysburg solar panel manufacturer, in Product Management
and Technical Sales. This Summer she will be working in the Manufacturing Integration
Engineering area.
Campus Involvement: “I am additionally a part of Glass City Community Solar, which is an organization
dedicated to installing solar panels on low-income housing – spreading the benefits
of solar while securing a reduction in their electricity bill.”
Viraj Joshi
In combating a disease that requires comprehensive treatment, few advocates are more
tirelessly dedicated to blunting cancer’s harm than Viraj Joshi. The pre-med Honors
Biology major does it all: research to prevent the adverse side effects of cancer
treatment, medical scribing to support care for cancer patients, and community support
for children of those impacted by the disease.
Viraj works in Dr. Heather Conti’s lab researching the role of immune pathways involved
in oral mucositis, a debilitating possible reaction to radiation and chemotherapy
treatments. She is currently spearheading an effort to set-up a human tissue bank
for the lab to develop novel treatments that do not rely on animal modeling using
mouse tissue. Her work there has dovetailed well with the medical scribing she does
for Dr. Mohamad Issa, an area otolaryngologist who specializes in oncology. “Although
it can be heartbreaking to see patients withering away in front of you because of
cells that just won't stop dividing,” Viraj said, “it is amazing to see how Dr. Issa
is able to treat them – both mentally and physically.”
Equally rewarding to the work Viraj does clinically responding to cancer is the support
she offers families affected by the disease. She is the co-operations coordinator
for UToledo’s Camp Kesem chapter, an organization that helps children navigate a parent
or guardian’s cancer treatment. They hold events throughout the year for the children
and their families as well as a week-long summer camp for the children – a welcome
respite from the stress of their daily lives. Viraj’s job is to develop fun activities
for kids like “Animal” – a camp nickname. “I felt honored that she felt close enough
to me to even mention her parent having cancer,” Viraj said, “let alone describe her
feelings as the parent's daughter.
Campus Involvement: “I am Vice President of UToledo CARES, a recently founded club that promotes community
service and activism. Currently, our main focus is addressing hunger and food scarcity.”
Jaden Maschack
Jaden Maschack’s enthusiasm for science and medicine has been evident since elementary
school, laying the groundwork for a decision in high school to major in Biology and
minor in Chemistry at UToledo. What might have come as a surprise all those years
ago would be her second minor in Entrepreneurship, Family, and Small Business. The
unlikely merger is perfect for this pre-dental student who aspires to open 
her own dental practice one day!
Jaden is busy preparing for her professional future as a member of a club designed
for pre-dental students. The organization participates in charity events supporting
oral health and offers undergraduate students a way to learn about their intended
career in dentistry. UToledo alumni in the field will often meet groups of Rockets
just like Jaden and offer advice on topics such as entrance exams, applying to dental
school, navigating that experience, and what the career entails.
In her current research with Dr. William Crawley, Jaden is responsible for imaging
microscope slides from experiments conducted by Dr. Crawley and his graduate student
assistants. This opportunity allows Jaden to become immersed in the lab – helping
to further the work while learning about lab protocol and the research of those around
her. Her work there will probably culminate in a sustained investigation of her own
that will be reflected in her Honors thesis!
Fun Personal Fact: “I have been practicing martial arts for nearly 12 years. I practiced Taekwondo and
judo before coming to UToledo, and now I’m trying out jiu jitsu!”
Laney Hoyt
The decision for most students to pursue a career in the medical field is ultimately
a personal one. The impact of a cured patient or a clinical breakthrough is made all
the more poignant by watching a loved one struggle with an illness or having to navigate
the healthcare system personally. Sophomore Biology major Laney Hoyt’s journey to
become a pediatric physician has been no different. Her passion for youth development
and building a community for children was shaped by her own experiences as an adoptee.
Witnessing the impact of traumatic 
events on the personality development of children firsthand led to her desire to serve
as an advocate.
Though she is involved in many organizations, Laney is perhaps proudest of being the
founder and President of the Adoptee’s Circle of Empowerment. The group, started last
Spring, offers a safe space to encourage and learn more about adoption. Laney was
adopted from China when she was 11 months old along with her younger sister, who was
adopted a few years later. Before college, Laney did not often talk about adoption.
Few adoptees lived where she grew-up, so most people she knew were unfamiliar with
her perspective. But after coming to UToledo, she met a group of fellow adoptees and
found comfort in the connection. The community has offered her and others strength
to learn more about adoption and talk about feelings to which most people cannot relate.
Beyond what it offers its members, the ACOE also seeks to give back to the community
by supporting foster care kids in the Toledo area. Additionally, the group allows
members to explore their cultural roots in a way that they could not previously. The
ACOE also often invites guest speakers to share their experiences with adoption and
how they worked through any issues related to it.
The Value of ACOE: “The ACOE has allowed me to learn and grow with my adoption experiences. I have healed
and come to terms with years’ worth of feelings with the support of ACOE members.”
Whitley Gross
Whitley Gross is in many ways the quintessential pre-med student – an Exercise Science
major with a passion for learning about human anatomy, fitness, healing, and nutrition.
This senior is also quite active on campus, a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority
and the Autism Advocates 
organization, as well as a medical scribe for ProMedica Toledo Hospital. While Whitley’s
future may have her donning a white coat, she is often clad these days in military
fatigues – a proud member of the Army National Guard and the Reserve Officers’ Training
Corps on campus!
Whitley got her start with ROTC during the initial weeks of her first year after attending
a campus involvement fair. Her grandfather was in the U.S. Air Force, and Whitley
herself has never backed away from a challenge. After starting as a general cadet
in her first year, she graduated from basic training as a sophomore and became a team
leader overseeing multiple cadets. Junior year brought advance camp – a 40-day training
event where participants receive tactical skills training and are evaluated as well
as ranked. Whitley also served as a squad leader that year, promoting accountability
for team members and general cadets. This year she has additionally begun supervising
the medical and dietary specifications of all cadets.
One of Whitley’s favorite memories in ROTC has been participating in the Army Ten
Miler Club – an annual race from Arlington, Virginia to Washington, D.C. She says,
“it was amazing to see military veterans and civilians all running this large race
through our nation’s capital.” It still stands as the longest race she has ever run!
With graduation right around the corner, Whitley looks forward to her commissioning
ceremony in the late summer. There she will recognized as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Ultimately, she plans on joining the Medical Corps and eventually becoming an Army
physician. Whitley is grateful for her experiences in ROTC and encourages anyone interested
to try it out!
Value of ROTC: “Being in this organization I have made high-level friendships. We have become a tight
team that works together to achieve missions and attempts to make our battalion stronger.”
Morgan Spooneybarger
Rounding-out her junior year this semester, Morgan Spooneybarger’s academic journey
in Physics has come full-circle. Starting off with a concentration in Astrophysics,
a passion fueled by the works of Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, Morgan’s interest
shifted to Applied Physics after her “Jurassic Physics” course on campus demonstrated
cool facts about dinosaurs illustrated through fun weekly experiments. The research
she
recently began in the lab of Dr. Michael Heben related to solar cell development
effectively bridges these fields, though, exploring how different panel materials
can best harness the power of the sun.
Morgan is investigating how perovskites, a crystalline semiconductor that converts
sunlight to an electrical charge, will react when subjected to different atmospheric
stressors. She is doing this by building an electroluminescence environment – a sealable
box featuring a camera and various light sources – that will keep the samples from
moving while exposing them to light-gathering images.
While her enthusiasm for Physics is undeniable, Morgan’s involvement in the Honors
College has been instrumental in securing these kinds of enhanced learning opportunities.
Taking her Physics courses for Honors credit allows her to engage more deeply with
the material and develop skills as well as experiences that she would not have gotten
otherwise. Morgan notes that the JSHC has also helped her with writing, learning complex
information, and even determining what subjects she is most intrigued by within her
major.
Morgan plans on continuing her education by earning a doctorate in applied physics
after graduation before starting a career in research or working for industry. In
fact, she is currently applying for pathway internships designed to function as student-to-employee
pipeline programs!
Campus Gems: “I believe a very important resource on campus is the Office of Accessibility and
Disability Resources. They have allowed me to get academic accommodations based on
the struggles that I was facing due to my disability. The Success Coaches are also
awesome, as mine goes the extra mile whenever I have questions about college.”
Lucas Will
Even before stepping foot onto UToledo’s campus, Lucas Will knew he wanted to join
its Student Government. He served as class president in high school and discovered
in that role a love for affecting change and hearing everyone’s voice. A double-major
in Spanish and Economics with dreams of someday working in an embassy or consulate
abroad, Lucas tirelessly advocates for his fellow Rockets while demanding that their
voices be 
heard.
During his first year in Student Government, Lucas focused on promoting campus safety
and equity. He campaigned for better lighting and communication with campus police
to promote a greater sense of security for those walking alone at night. Another one
of Lucas’ signature projects was an initiative to put menstrual products in all female
and gender-neutral restrooms on campus. To achieve this, he had to obtain 500 student
signatures and put the referendum on the ballot. The effort was a huge success, garnering
significant support from his Rocket peers.
Having been elected Recording Secretary in Student Senate this term, Lucas serves
a critical role in connecting students with their elected representatives. His position
requires him to take comprehensive notes at both executive and general Senate meetings,
allowing students to know about and thereby influence the proceedings of their government.
Lucas also serves on the External, Internal, Campus Culture, Sustainability, and Government
Relations Committees. He is also a member of the RocketFest Planning Committee and
Student Allocation Committee, a group of students who dispense funds to requesting
UToledo organizations.
In light of his passion for civic engagement, Lucas has decided to run for student
body President in the upcoming election on a ticket with his best friend and fellow
Honors student, Tanner Schultz! Lucas hopes to improve with his candidacy communication
between professors, students, and offices across campus. “Regardless if I am elected,”
he says, “I would like to increase accountability, communication, and transparency.”
Interesting Personal Fact: “I am attempting to start the Pan-Slavic Association, a campus organization dedicated
to educating others about the different Slavic cultures and cuisines.”
Alex Simpson
The field of organic chemistry doesn’t only examine intense reactions – it also inspires
them, often among students who simply pass through the area of study begrudgingly
out of necessity! Others, like Biochemistry major Alex Simpson, are actually attracted
to the discipline’s rigor and specificity. Then again, this aspiring emergency room
physician is juggling two minors, a pre-med concentration, involvement in campus 
organizations, and research on campus. Rigor is kind of her thing!
Appreciating the wide range of applications the chemistry of biological systems has
in both the medical and research communities, Alex joined Dr. John Bellizzi’s lab
over a year ago to study a group of enzymes called halogenases. The team is looking
for undiscovered varieties of these enzymes, and the research has found success. Alex
herself previously discovered one from a bacterial gene! The hope is that these enzymes
can be utilized to create synthetic molecules useful for the development of new medicines.
“This lab work has been a pillar of my education at UToledo thus far,” she said.
In addition to an accomplished researcher, Alex is also a fluent Spanish speaker –
even earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy in the language last semester. She is quite
proud of the achievement, having studied Spanish since eighth grade. The fluency will
prove a powerful asset as a healthcare provider, a skillset helped along by a course
she took last year in Spanish medical terminology – one of Alex’s favorites at UToledo.
Campus Involvement: “I also participate in Student Government at UToledo as chairperson of the Internal
Affairs Committee, where we aim to improve the inner workings of the organization.
Plus, I am a member of the American Medical Women’s Association!”
Lia Raftis
Success in college is not measured just in aced exam scores and the number of degrees
awarded. Preparation for a career and life beyond that is shaped at least as much
by the experiences we have networking with others and getting involved in campus community.
Fortunately, Honors Pre-
Nursing major Lia Raftis has all of these bases covered as she works toward her future
in healthcare!
The Michigan native from Allen Park has always been interested in the medical field
but ultimately gravitated toward Nursing for the quality time it would allow her to
spend caring for patients and their families. Her conscientious appreciation for human
connection has led her to join on campus the Pre-Nursing Student Organization, the
Red Cross Club, and CHAARG – a female exercise group.
The Honors Learning Community, though, has offered Lia some of her favorite college
memories to date. About her HalloWeekends trip to Cedar Point, she said, “I had never
been there before, and it was a great way to spend time with my new friends.” Another
cherished experience was of seeing a performance of The Nutcracker with the HLC. Lia’s initial hesitation to join was soon replaced by relief that she
had. “It is so easy to meet new people on these trips, so it’s okay to go even if
you don’t know anyone else at first,” she said.
Lia’s dedication to the group was serendipitously rewarded recently when she was announced
as one of the winners of an HLC membership giveaway! She cannot wait for upcoming
trips with the group to the FLY Dance Company performance and The Lion King musical.
Value of the HLC: “As a winner of the membership giveaway, I am super excited to have the opportunity
to go places I wouldn’t normally have the chance to and meet new people at each event.
The HLC events are a great way to create new interests and experience new things!”
Olivia Kiskadden
Sustainability and environmental preservation have long been passions near to Olivia
Kiskadden’s heart. With a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Urban and
Regional Planning, she aspires to work in urban agriculture after her graduation in
May. Tackling food deserts may afford her a livelihood, but more importantly would
offer the food insecure in her community a much-needed lifeline.
Olivia grew up in Kent, Ohio – a community “built by educators and artists” that left
her with a deep appreciation for knowledge and creativity, she said. The presence
of the Cuyahoga River near the city’s downtown area, a waterway famous for catching
fire, also figured prominently in her education. Olivia studied the river and its
surrounding ecosystems in school, fueling her love for protecting and restoring the
environment.
Through organizations on campus, Olivia has further developed her advocacy. She is
a member of Building Ohio’s Sustainable Energy Future and cites the organization as
one of the reasons that she decided to attend UToledo. The group has as its central
goal working to promote sustainable practices at the university and in Ohio. She relishes
all of the friends she has made through the group and thoroughly enjoyed hosting an
Earth Fest celebration through BOSEF that brought clubs from across campus together
to support sustainability. Olivia also helps tend the UToledo Outdoor Classroom Garden,
saying of the experience, “For people who love plants and gardening, volunteering
here has been so much fun!”
Earlier in her college journey, Olivia even worked with Dr. David Krantz on a grant-funded
proposal for a community garden that would have been housed on the Health Science
Campus. “Though the grant application wasn’t successful, we still learned a lot through
the process!” she said.
Reflections on Sustainability: “I will always support sustainability, especially in adopting relevant habits as an
individual. However, sustainability can become a classist issue quite quickly. Not
everyone can afford more expensive products that may last longer. Instead, we should
focus on demanding major corporations, governments, and the wealthiest adopt sustainable
practices. They are having the most negative impact on climate change and are the
ones who should have to pay for what they have done.”
Ira Snahoshchenko
The complexity and nuance of modern life in a globalized society inspires some to
retreat into isolated corners of geography or worldview – but not Ira Snahoshchenko.
The first-year Honors student and soon-to-be Data Science major is driven academically
to understand and analyze the constant flow of information shaping our daily lives.
Culturally, the native of Sumy in Ukraine has challenged herself with an enriching
high school 
and college experience thousands of miles away from home.
Though transitioning into life in a new country hasn’t always been easy, Ira has enjoyed
sharing her culture with other Rockets and, by extension, new perspectives on the
world. “Home feels different for each of us, so I like to show what it is like for
me,” she said. A highlight for Ira has been sharing a Ukrainian dance with the members
of the Catholic Student Association, allowing her to express and teach others about
her culture.
Ira’s bid to acclimate to life at UToledo also led her to join its Student Government
last semester. What began as an effort to better connect to the campus has grown into
a powerful opportunity to bring positive change to the community that has warmly welcomed
Ira as a fellow Rocket. Outside of the university, she is also involved in a project
focused on helping Ukrainian youth learn English!
Transcending borders and linguistic barriers, Ira’s love of learning has offered her
ready common ground with her Honors peers. The JSHC has provided “me an abundance
of ways to enhance my learning,” she said, in addition to fun memories made through
the Honors Learning Community. Her favorite thus far has been the annual Lights Before
Christmas trip to the Toledo Zoo. As one of the winners of an HLC membership giveaway
last semester, Ira is looking forward to experiencing even more of what Toledo has
to offer!
Value of Honors: “The Honors College is the ideal example of the quote by Jerzy Gregorek: ‘Hard choices,
easy life. Easy choices, hard life.’ By choosing to pursue Honors, one enters a journey
of academic explorations, bright insights, exciting projects, and a little bit of
work. And the best thing is, it is good work. It is one of those times when ‘doing
extra’ brings joy!”
Ashley Villa
In so much of what she does as a Rocket, Ashley Villa is guided by a desire to help
others. The sophomore Pre-Pharmacy student eagerly anticipates completing her Pharm.D.
degree and a residency before eventually beginning a career in ambulatory care. Ashley’s
community outreach, though, is achieved just as meaningfully through the medicine
she studies as it is the mittens she knits – and that’s spinning no yarn.
What began as a hobby evolved into a mission-driven experience in campus leadership
when Ashley helped found Knits for Charity. She is the president of the organization
and collaborated with Dr. Sally Harmych to rejuvenate the club last semester following
the social distancing brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The club teaches knitting
and crocheting to new artists as well as provides a space for experienced ones, all
of them crafting handmade items for charitable donation to organizations in the Toledo
area. The group also makes regular visits to Oakleaf Village, a local senior living
facility, to knit alongside the residents. This year, members are making scarves,
blankets, and mittens for The Victory Center’s cancer patients.
Ashley also serves as a student ambassador for the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, helping them host events and recruit prospective students. She is also a
dedicated resident advisor for academic initiatives in MacKinnon, Scott, and Tucker
Halls. Ashley has embraced the latter position by hosting study tables and course
scheduling events for the MKST residents while also assisting the Health Professions
Living Learning Community put on events.
The connection Ashley feels to the university and the broader Toledo area has been
fostered greatly by her time in the JSHC. Her Honors classes have stressed the importance
of community engagement while the Honors Learning Community has invited Ashley and
her peers off campus to experience it all directly.
Fun Personal Fact: “My aunt told me a week before college applications were due that if I like chemistry
so much, I should just become a pharmacist. I investigated it and decided the day
before I submitted all of my application materials, switching everything to this major.
So far, it is one of the best decisions I have made – I love it!”
Neil Narwekar
Though senior Neil Narwekar traversed continents to study at UToledo, traveling all
the way from India, the distance pales in comparison to the scope of his ambitions.
This Rocket pursuing degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics dreams of a career
in the aerospace industry helping humanity explore space. His long-held passions for
science and mathematics teach Neil how the world works while his dedication to engineering
translates that knowledge into a brighter future for us all.
Outside of classes, Neil participates in a number of UToledo’s many student organizations.
He is a member of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers – an organization that
builds functioning race cars. Neil’s involvement with the aerodynamics and suspension
subgroups has been a valuable college experience, he says, allowing him to build actual
machines rather than just models. He is also a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity,
a great opportunity for Neil to make new friends on campus.
Rounding out his academic experience, Neil has even been active in campus research.
He is currently working with Dr. Omid Amili to design a supersonic wind tunnel for
the College of Engineering. This foray into the lab was encouraged by his Honors sections
of major classes which provide a deeper exposure to the concepts and skillsets central
to Neil’s professional training.
Value of Honors: “I was worried I wouldn’t like the Honors classes at first because they seemed like
they might be writing-intensive. But after taking HON 1010 and HON 2010, I feel like
these courses have improved my critical thinking skills and offered me a more holistic
education through discussions of issues not typically encountered in my major classes.”
Joyce Stupka
The unknown used to make Joyce Stupka anxious. Whether uncertainty over the future
or simply confronting a problem in her coursework without a clear answer, an elusive
solution invited stress. Now, this graduating Honors Rocket is excited to begin her
career as a Chemical Process Engineer with The Chemours Company precisely because
every day in the role will bring new challenges.
It was Joyce’s major, Chemical Engineering, that demonstrated how satisfying creative
problem-solving can be. Her Honors thesis, for example, examined how water purification
could be done in a more environmentally-friendly way that is also feasible for the
developing nations who could use the units. Similarly, her Senior Design Project pushed
Joyce to design and optimize a process for creating hydrogen gas as a clean fuel alternative
to natural gas.
Joyce’s active extracurricular involvement and experience in student leadership at
UToledo have also led to sharpened trouble-shooting skills. Her favorite organization,
the Roy and Marcia Armes Engineering Leadership Institute, allowed her to participate
in unique trips and personal development activities. Joyce has also served as a resident
assistant at Honors Academic Village and as a tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate
Admission. An avid jogger, she is a member as well of the running club on campus and
has even competed in the Glass City Marathon – all of which have trained her to tackle
goals under a time crunch.
The curriculum of the JSHC has also played its part – encouraging a wider perspective
for Joyce and her Honors peers. The opportunity to take classes centered on topics
and insights unavailable in her major courses has inspired, among other things, an
interest in the diversity of Toledo’s cultures. Her HON 2010 “Multicultural Toledo”
course took field trips to different locations around the city, such as the Sofia
Quintero Art and Cultural Center, where Joyce also learned about the multitude of
ways to volunteer and get involved locally.
Advice to Honors Students: “If there is one key lesson that I have learned over my college career, it is to focus
on one day at a time and live in the present moment to avoid stress buildup. I strive
to and encourage others to give full energy to this moment and the people they find
themselves surrounded by.”
Avik Mukherjee
Having lived in Germany, the Netherlands, New Jersey, and North Carolina, Avik Mukherjee
considers himself a global citizen. Now a Bioengineering major on the cusp of graduation
hoping to pursue a career in pharmaceuticals, Avik is excited to exercise his civic
duty and change that world for the better.
Recognizing the power of new therapeutics to tackle disease around the globe, Bioengineering
proved an attractive major for Avik. Having grown 
up mostly abroad, he has seen the need for improving how healthcare is delivered both
internationally as well as domestically. Pharmaceutical developments are rarely distributed
equitably, and Avik wants to help change that by advocating for underprivileged populations
in developing nations.
Though that influence will surely deepen in a few weeks after Avik graduates, he has
already begun advancing medical scholarship as a research assistant in Dr. Tomer Avidor-Reiss’s
lab investigating fertility issues. Patients suffering from knee injuries have also
benefited from Avik’s Honors capstone work in biomechanics. He and his Senior Design
Project group have developed a device intended to minimize the risks of hip distraction
during total knee replacement surgery.
This initiative in the lab mirrors Avik’s leadership across campus, where he has participated
in Engineers Without Borders, the Biomedical Engineering Society, UToledo Engineering
Council, and Hall Council. His service as a resident advisor in Presidents Hall is
what makes him proudest, though, as Avik took a direct role in programming there and
contributed to the safety and security of students living on campus.
Though he arrived on campus years ago without a defined network, the Honors College’s
immediate exposure of Avik to a group of students who, in his words, “embraced academic
and leadership excellence,” had an obvious impact on him.
Value of Honors: “The Honors College has given me the courage to explore campus as well as its many
extracurriculars, and along the way I’ve found experiences I never could have anticipated
which have helped me grow. As a result, campus life has been a constant journey of
self- and re-discovery.”
Tessa Karran
Initially attracted to it by her interest in mathematics and science, Tessa Karran’s
journey to becoming a Chemical Engineer has developed into so much more – an effort
to improve the lives of others through creative problem-solving. With graduation right
around the corner and a job already lined up as a Research and Development Chemist
at Sherwin-Williams in their Leadership Development Program, Tessa is well on her
way to leaving her mark on the world.
An active member of student organizations in her field – she is involved in the UToledo
Engineering Council and Omega Chi Epsilon, Tessa most notably helped to charter the
UToledo student chapter of Clean Water for the World. The non-profit builds and installs
water purification units in communities across the globe which lack access to clean
water. Working with Dr. Glenn Lipscomb, Tessa and her teammates are designing and
building a plate and frame system that utilizes nanofiltration membranes to strain
out bacteria. This design holds a few advantages over currently deployed units that
rely on ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria, but which can also cause the bacteria
to mutate. These units also contain harmful chemicals such as mercury in their UV
light bulbs and rely on electricity to function, a resource missing in some of the
international communities the group seeks to aid.
Tessa’s global worldview and preoccupation with community impact are qualities honed
by her experience as an Honors student. After all, she has been able to explore Toledo
through her HON 2010 “Multicultural Toledo” and HON 3010 “Community Engagement” courses.
These classes have exposed her to institutions such as the Sofia Quintero Art and
Cultural Center as well as the Hindu Temple of Toledo. Tessa was also grateful to
participate in the 2020 JSHC trip to the Galapagos Islands with Dean Heidi Appel.
“It was an amazing trip I will never forget – especially considering we returned right
before the onset of the pandemic,” she said. On the trip, Tessa went snorkeling, hiking,
and visited the Charles Darwin Research Station while also learning about the island’s
biodiversity and seeing its amazing wildlife firsthand.
Advice to Students: “Get involved as much as you can in both fun and professional organizations on campus
to grow, meet new people, and get the most out of your college experience!”
Trevor Blodgett
Ever since his childhood, Trevor Blodgett has dreamed of the stars – his budding interest
in astronomy evidenced by an ever-present book or two detailing galaxy formation or
the death of red giants. Now a sophomore double-majoring in Physics with a concentration
in Astrophysics and Mathematics with a concentration in Applied Mathematics, Trevor
is already contributing to proprietary astrophysics research on campus. Working 
toward its publication, he may one day rewrite the astronomy textbooks of the future
and inspire a fresh generation of young minds.
Working under Dr. Eli Visbal, Trevor is exploring how artificial intelligence can
assist the team’s research using a special computer in Ritter Observatory with the
power to make complex calculations quickly. “There is a computation our team is interested
in that relates to determining the number of hydrogen lines which takes hundreds of
hours to crunch even with 100 processors dedicated to it,” he said. “The goal of my
project is to build a machine learning model to automate this calculation and save
on computation time.”
With aspirations of placing into a top astrophysics graduate program, Trevor appreciates
these kinds of unparalleled opportunities to build his résumé at UToledo. “This work
has given me a chance to apply what I have learned in the classroom in a real-world
environment and has proven far more intellectually rigorous than coursework alone,”
he said. To further stand out, he has also become heavily involved in student organizations
in his field. Trevor is an active member of the Society of Physics Students, the Delta
X Mathematics Club, as well as the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Advisory
Council.
Participation in the Honors College has been similarly valuable for Trevor. The interdisciplinary
nature of his Honors courses that emphasize class discussion and focus on the arts
and the humanities will help round-out any STEMM major as a person and hopefully make
them more attractive to graduate programs and employers, he said. Joining in the Honors
Learning Community has been another notable perk, which has allowed him to experience
the full range of culture and fun offered by the city of Toledo as well as form some
of his favorite college memories.
Favorite Honors Memory: “Definitely getting tickets to see Rent through the Honors Learning Community and
finally being able to lay eyes on my favorite musical in person!”
Derek Kluczynski
As an aspiring physician, Derek Kluczynski knows he is going to have to dig deep to
prepare for career success in a competitive field. The native of Monroe, Michigan
could conceivably ace his Biology classes and still be asked what sets him apart from
other medical school applicants who 
achieve the same. To make his résumé stand-out, Derek has wisely gotten involved in cutting-edge
research at UToledo in the health sciences conducted by its star faculty.
Derek is currently working with Dr. Tomer Avidor-Reiss to study sperm centrioles and
the role they play with infertility. Recognizing the quality of his research, Derek
was invited to participate by the Office of Undergraduate Research in its First Year
Summer Research Experience Program as well as the Undergraduate Summer Research and
Creative Activities Program. Along with a campus platform to discuss his work, the
OUR support included funding to make the research possible.
Despite the legwork he had to invest to find the lab position, Derek credits the Honors
College with making the opportunity for him to grow as a researcher possible. "The
strong relationship between OUR and Honors really made the process much smoother,"
he said. In addition to deepening his experience in Biology, Derek also appreciates
the refreshing quality of the material taught in Honors classes. The emphasis on class
discussion and thinking broadly about the value and purpose of life offers a welcome
variation from his scientific lectures. Derek is particularly looking forward to his
interdisciplinary "Science and Cinema" Honors seminar next semester!
Fun Personal Fact: “I like to collect coins and mentor a robotics team!”
Lemuel Inkoom
Though it only recently started, Lemuel Inkoom’s college experience has already been
one defined by community and purpose. Take, for instance, his selection of Pharmacy
as a major. During his time in Ghana before moving to the United States, Lemuel noted
the lack of pharmaceuticals there and how their absence affected health outcomes.
Studying these medications will allow him to communicate the power of prescription
drugs to 
Ghanaians and others around the globe, a goal he hopes to achieve with the aid of
non-profits he aims to found.
Somehow, despite his heavy Fall courseload, Lemuel finds time to be active in several
campus organizations. He is a member of the Black Student Union and participated in
the Black and Latino Excellence Transition Program over the Summer. These communities
offered Lemuel a sense of belonging at the university, connecting him to students
with similar backgrounds and values. He is also a part of First Love Church, an on-campus
faith group that affords him the space to worship even when he is away from home.
The Honors College is fortunate to also figure into Lemuel’s UToledo story. Its smaller
class sizes, engaging activities, and enriching discussions offer him an environment
better suited for learning, he says. Lemuel also appreciates the accommodations provided
by life in the Honors Academic Village – its study rooms, private workspaces, and
fellowship among residents. But beyond these standardly touted benefits to JSHC membership
is the networking that it enables behind the scenes. One memory in particular that
stands out to him is of a gathering at Dean Heidi Appel’s home earlier this semester
featuring Honors Student Ambassadors and Lemuel’s fellow Presidential Scholars. There,
he met Honors alumni who shared tactics for success with interviews and living in
the professional world!
Motivation for Major: “As a result of my early life in Ghana, I was exposed to a lot of superficial ideologies.
I saw people die after refusing medicine, a decision due to their belief that only
the gods should heal us. While respecting their convictions, I want to instruct them
as a pharmacist, the same way I was educated upon my move to America – that it is
in fact the gods that gave us the knowledge needed to make such medicines. I want
to be a pharmacist because of this humanitarian impact.”
Riya Narwekar
Hailing from Pune, India, Riya Narwekar has traveled a long way to study at UToledo.
She is a first-year student double-majoring in Psychology and Economics. She values
interacting with people and sees a future for herself in behavioral economics, an
area of the field dealing with 
macroeconomics and how it relates to consumer behavior. Still early in her tenure
at UToledo, Riya is enjoying the opportunity to dive deeper into her major as an Honors
student before pinpointing a specific career path.
On campus, Riya is a member of the Theta Chi Chapter of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
She is also involved in the Treat People with Kindness club. These organizations allow
Riya to meet like-minded students - something she thoroughly enjoys. Next semester,
after getting more settled into the college lifestyle, Riya intends to join more organizations.
One group she is happy she didn't wait to join, however, has been the JSHC - an integral
part of Riya's UToledo experience thus far. She enjoys its close-knit environment,
enriching events, and academically-focused students. Although the foundation of the
JSHC is academics, Riya notes that there are still a lot of opportunities for fun
here. Her favorite thus far was her first, Jesup Jam, where she was able to meet new
people and make friends.
Having applied for the position because she loves going to events and being among
her peers, Riya is also one of the new Honors Communications Interns. She says it
was a great decision because the job has gotten her more involved on campus and even
more immersed in the culture of the university. “I’m only a month in, but I already
know it was the right decision," she said.
Fun Personal Fact: “Outside of campus, I also design Web sites for a company in India and am currently
working on one for an autism academy.”
Ashley Westgate
Hello! My name is Ashley Westgate, and I am one of the new Honors Communications Interns
for the JSHC. I am a first-year student from southeastern Pennsylvania majoring in
Political Science with a minor in Psychology. I plan on getting my Master’s in Public
Administration and then head off to law school.
So far at UToledo, I have been elected MacKinnon Hall Council President, joined the
Knits for Charity organization, and serve in Student Government. I am also the JSHC
representative for the Voter Engagement Coalition. Along with my extracurriculars,
I support the Honors College’s communication streams – so I will be at JSHC events
taking pictures and writing student profiles.
I am more than grateful to be a part of the Honors College. Already, I have received
many opportunities that I would not have enjoyed otherwise. I am a part of the Honors
Learning Community, through which I have been able to see Hamilton at the Stranahan Theatre and go to a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game. Both of these
outings were a lot of fun and I am so excited for future HLC events! Also, the Honors
dorms afford me the privacy needed to get my work done and the close proximity to
my classes is very helpful for my routine. I have not yet taken any Honors courses,
but I am excited for the challenge and to have classes with other students who are
just as passionate about learning as I am.
Favorite Honors Memory: “So far, my favorite Honors memory has been Jesup Jam. I was able to meet a lot of
new people and really start to feel comfortable in the community on that day. I even
met my current friend group at the Jam and I could not be happier here. I am so excited
to continue attending Honors events and meeting new people. The Honors Communications
Intern position will also help me become more immersed in the community and enhance
my Honors journey!”
Anna Spaulding
Hi, everyone! I’m Anna Spaulding, the lead Honors Communications Intern this year.
I’m a sophomore from Copenhagen, a small town in upstate New York. In addition to
my knack for social media promotion, I have had a passion for makeup ever since I
was 11-years old. So, after attending cosmetology school, I knew I wanted to continue
my education to work in the beauty industry. I am now a Pre-Pharmacy student concentrating
in cosmetic science and formulation design while minoring in Chemistry and Sustainability.
After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I plan 
on earning a Master’s in Business Administration with the end goal of owning or managing
a sustainability cosmetics company.
On campus I also serve as the Fundraising Chair of the Cosmetic Chemist Society and
the Internal Vice President of Adoptee’s Circle of Empowerment. Advocacy is another
passion of mine, and I work with the nonprofit Pajama Program donating new books and
pajamas to children in crisis (e.g., foster children and orphans). I am also the current
Miss Thousand Islands for 2022 with the Miss America Organization and I competed in
the Miss New York USA competition in May.
The Honors College has already had a significant impact on me even after just one
year at UToledo. Through the Honors Learning Community, I’ve been able to visit the
Toledo Museum of Art, attend sports games, and watch some of my favorite musicals.
My favorite HLC trip was to the Toledo Zoo to see the Lights Before Christmas and
the animals. I’ve even met my best friends through the Honors College.
If you see me at a JSHC event, make sure you smile for a picture and say “Hi!”
Favorite Honors Class: “My favorite Honors class so far has been HON 2010 ‘Multicultural Toledo’ taught by
Dr. Carla Pattin – a unique class that takes students on field trips around town.
When we offered our presentations, I loved seeing the different perspectives on Toledo!
The class has allowed me to learn about the history and diversity of this city.”
Jordan Slutsky
Equal parts ambition and purpose, Jordan Slutsky promises to be an effective agent
of change in her community. The sophomore double-majoring in Political Science and
Disability Studies with a pre-law concentration hopes to merge these fields and eventually
practice disability law. Jordan is committed to ensuring that everyone has access
to equal rights and opportunities – achieved in significant part through a vigorous
enforcement of all ADA regulations.
Along with her schoolwork, Jordan is an engaged leader in campus organizations. She
is an Honors Student Ambassador, an elected Senator for Student Government as well
as the Vice Chair of the Internal Committee, and the Vice President of Social Action
for Hillel – a Jewish student group. Jordan is also a member of CHAARG, a female exercise
organization, for which she runs a small group. Being involved in these organizations
valuably offers her the opportunity to meet new people and stay busy.
Despite being so involved on campus, Jordan credits her participation in the Honors
Learning Community with many of the most enriching connections and moments she has
enjoyed at UToledo. She has met many of her closest friends and her boyfriend through
the HLC and was even able to see Hamilton and Rent through the group. Though Jordan has lived near Toledo her whole life, the HLC has
given her the opportunity to explore the city in novel ways and make new memories
in places where she had already made some childhood ones.
Value of Honors: “The JSHC has provided me with amazing mentors and opportunities. I have been able
to enjoy new experiences around Toledo while meeting new people along the way through
the Honors Learning Community, and the Honors Academic Village has provided me with
a home environment where I feel comfortable living my everyday life and expressing
who I am. Joining the JSHC was definitely the best decision I made for myself as a
UToledo student!”
Lucas Zamudio
Lucas Zamudio is an engineer through and through – passionate about solving problems
and equipped with the book-smarts and the technical skills necessary to do so. Luckily
for the Honors College and campus more broadly, his focus extends beyond antiderivatives
and coefficients of friction. This Mechanical Engineering student is also committed
to advancing the student experience for his fellow Rockets.
On campus, Lucas participated last year in the First Year Rocket Engineers and is
currently involved in the National Honors Society of Leadership and Success. “FYRE
valuably organized volunteer events that allowed me to give back to the community
and professional events to learn more about different companies offering co-op positions
while NHSLS enabled me to network with other students who are dedicated to becoming
leaders,” he said. Lucas is also notably involved on campus as an Honors Student Ambassador
– a great opportunity to reach students who are considering UToledo to demonstrate
everything that the JSHC can do to prepare them for their future, he says.
For all the benefits associated with membership in the Honors College, Lucas appreciates
most how his Honors courses complement and even enhance his program of study. The
smaller class sizes of his Calculus I, Calculus II, and Physics I Honors courses have
greatly aided his learning, he says, offering him strong foundations for everything
he will study later in his major courses. Enrollment in HON 1010 “Ideas and Society”
as well as HON 2010 “Multicultural Toledo” have also allowed him to explore fields
he usually would not otherwise while also learning about the city that surrounds us.
As an Honors student, Lucas has also been able to participate in events that he has
found enriching both personally and professionally. For example, a recent gathering
of fellow JSHC student leaders at Dean Heidi Appel’s house to connect over tacos and
mocktails stands out as a favorite memory!
Value of Honors: “So far, the JSHC has made my college experience so much better by allowing me to
live in Honors specialized dorms and to take the Honors sections of classes which
helped me succeed much more in the classroom.”
Zainab Rahman
For an aspiring physician, even one from far-flung New Jersey, Zainab Rahman was quickly
won over by all that UToledo has to offer when selecting her college destination.
The Bacc2MD pathway program into the College of Medicine and Life Sciences was an
obvious perk, but UToledo’s emphasis on undergraduate research and professional development
have proven just as advantageous for Zainab.
Her passion for medicine solidified, for example, when she began work as a medical
scribe at ProMedica Flower Hospital. Observing the doctors' demeanors with their patients
and staff as well as their methods of diagnosis and treatment reinforced Zainab’s
dream of becoming a physician. This unique opportunity to gain on-the-ground career
experience was soon met with financial support for her research when Zainab was granted
a stipend by the Office of Undergraduate Research to investigate the role of cofilin
as a neuroinflammatory agent in the treatment of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke under
the mentorship of Dr. Zahoor Shah. Zainab even recently joined a humanitarian trip
caring for refugees along with several UToledo physicians and medical students. During
the trip she experienced firsthand the necessity of medical aid overseas and the regrettable
disparities which create a global divide in healthcare outcomes.
Zainab’s preparation for career success is also reflected in her deep involvement
in campus life and leadership roles. She is the co-founder and President of UToledo
C.A.R.E.S, an organization seeking to improve Toledo through community service, activism,
and volunteering. Along with being an Honors Student Ambassador, Zainab is the Outreach
Coordinator for the Muslim Students Association, on the Executive Board of Relay for
Life, and a peer mentor for the Department of Biological Sciences. She also joined
this semester the Pre-Health Advising Center’s Student Advisory Board, became a PHAC
Rocket2Rocket mentor, and was inducted into the Lambda Sigma Honors Society!
Fun Personal Fact: “I love writing poetry and performing spoken word! I am part of a global organization
– The Strangers Poets – and the founder of Sonneteer which uses poetry to advocate
for prevalent societal issues. I hope to one day release my own anthology sharing
the progression of my poetry over the years.”
Haroon Lughmani
As a recipient of UToledo’s Presidential Scholarship, the promise that Haroon Lughmani
saw in his undergraduate years was a mere preview of what he knew would follow. The
Biology major in the Bacc2MD program could not help but be inspired by how a physician
can treat debilitating pain for hundreds of Guatemalans lacking adequate healthcare,
salvage a fleeting life through an angioplasty, or simply spark a smile on the face
of a stressed patient. The opportunity Haroon has at UToledo to embark on this professional
journey by exploring medicine’s multiple facets – from research on potential therapeutics
to shadowing physicians at UToledo’s Medical Center – is, in his words, “downright
humbling.”
To further his passion of relieving others’ pain and help them find peace, Haroon
has become deeply involved with Humanity First USA and the group’s humanitarian efforts
in Guatemala. He went on a medical mission trip over the Summer to serve over 400
patients at a clinic in Santo Domingo Xenacoj in Guatemala. He also helped the group
launch The Education Project to provide free online tutoring to underserved students
at schools across the country. And, as President of Humanity First UToledo, Haroon
is helping arrange a medical mission trip in Guatemala for next Summer, expand their
tutoring services to schools there, and fundraise for the installation of a water
well in West Africa.
Haroon’s philanthropy is also evident in the biomedical research on campus he conducts
investigating a vaccine for rheumatoid arthritis – a condition affecting around 14
million people globally. As a Presidential Scholar, Haroon feels a responsibility
to uphold the values of the UToledo community and collaborate with his fellow Rockets
to support impactful projects in our community and abroad.
Advice to Honors Students: “In our current age, people have become comfortable with voicing opinions behind a
screen as a form of activism. In reality, a person suffering needs not your words
but actions. Don’t be in the majority – join Humanity First UToledo and we can collaboratively
take steps towards a more peaceful world.”
Madison Arndt
With her eye on a C-suite office, Madison Arndt is laying the groundwork for a career
in management every day as a Rocket. The sophomore’s love for public speaking and
communicating with others led her to become a Pre-Business major, one offering her
the chance to connect with people. But her passion for developing human talent goes
beyond the classroom and has fueled her involvement in a slew of leadership activities
on 
campus.
Madison is active in a number of student organizations – including Alpha Kappa Psi,
Women in Business Leadership, and the Lambda Sigma Honors Society. More than just
a follower, though, Madison holds key positions within these clubs helping to guide
them into the future. She is a Marketing Co-Chair for Alpha Kappa Psi and the Community
Engagement Director for Women in Business Leadership. Madison has always enjoyed planning
activities and is grateful for the opportunity to continue doing so in college.
“I also serve as an Honors Student Ambassador, and that has been a great way for me
to talk with prospective students and help them make important decisions about their
next four years,” she added. “I have really enjoyed my Honors experience so far, so
this way I will be able to help others have a great JSHC experience as well!” Central
to this for Madison has been her amazing Honors classes, including HON 1010 “Ideas
and Society” and HON 2010 “Multicultural Toledo.” “There were only about 15 students
in each of those classes,” she said, “so we all had a chance to become friends with
one another!”
Fun Personal Fact: “I am an extremely picky eater, I have never tried a hamburger, soup, tacos, or grilled
cheese!”
Sangeetha Pillai
Having resided in distinct parts of the world, Sangeetha Pillai has experienced how
life differs in both developing and developed countries. Observing the severity of
the conditions in the former has made her a more compassionate individual motivated
to help the underprivileged. While her philanthropy has taken a few forms, Sangeetha
is excited to spend a lifetime using her career as a healthcare professional to do
so.
Her calling for medicine was inspired in high school when she worked as a research
intern at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin.
The skills that she attained there led her to conduct research in Dr. James Burkett's
lab at the UToledo Medical Center. From analyzing and imaging slides on microscopes
to performing dissections on prairie vole rodents, Sangeetha has expanded her scientific
knowledge to improve the welfare of others.
As a Bacc2MD student majoring in Biology and as a participant in many extracurricular
organizations, Sangeetha always finds ways to give back to the Toledo community. She
volunteers at the CommunityCare Clinics, which provide comprehensive healthcare services
for the uninsured in Lucas and Wood counties, as well as for Tellegacy, where college
students connect with the elderly virtually or by phone. “I enjoy volunteering because
it gives me a chance to make a difference by helping others and providing the quality
service they deserve,” she said. Additionally, Sangeetha is an avid Indian classical
dancer with UToledo Jalwa as well as a western and eastern violinist. She has performed
at several educational and religious events that raised funds for the underprivileged.
“The sense of community and smiles I see when I perform makes me feel so welcomed
here,” she added.
This sense of belonging has also been aided by her experience as an Honors student
– which has allowed Sangeetha to develop an open mind and enjoy close interactions
with faculty members and advisors. “I loved my HON 1010 class because it encouraged
me to read thought-provoking literature, write in-depth papers, and participate in
insightful debates with my classmates,” she said. “It also challenged me to read between
the lines and make cross-references between texts in order to become a more well-rounded
student.”
Favorite Honors Memory: “I was offered a grant to conduct research alongside Dr. Burkett over the summer to
study possible connections between pyrethroid pesticide exposures and autism risk
at the behavioral and molecular levels and even presented it at the undergraduate
research symposium!”