Being the oldest child in an immigrant family can come with unspoken pressure and responsibility – not only to chart your own course, but also to make your loved ones proud. Navkiranjot “Navu” Kaur (’22) gracefully carried this weight on her shoulders as she became the first in her family to attend college and now medical school.
A few important mentors at Wayne State University in Detroit and CCLCM have been pivotal in her development, and she is extremely thankful for their support. “When it came to attending college, there were many new aspects of life I had to navigate. If it hadn’t been for my mentors, I don’t think I would have applied to medical school in the first place. These are the people who believed in me when I didn’t really believe in myself,” Navu says.
In her four years at Wayne State, Navu immersed herself in several basic science and clinical research initiatives, including a project that explored microbiome dysbiosis in recurrent bacterial vaginosis. The project, led by Robert Akins, PhD, helped Navu identify her passion for research, which would later drive her to pursue an MS in Clinical Research alongside her MD. Another key player in Navu’s undergraduate success was Jack Sobel, MD, who encouraged her to build upon her research skills while she worked in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
More recently, Navu has been extremely inspired by the guidance of her thesis advisor, Robyn Busch, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, and two mentors: Amy Nowacki, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Deepak Lachhwani, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology. They have helped her strengthen her knowledge of research design as well as statistical methodology. Equipped with their support during her research year, Navu feels prepared to defend her thesis, which explores memory outcome in children undergoing epilepsy surgery.
Navu’s initial experience with the medical field was when her younger brother had to get an appendectomy, a procedure she now views as minor. But being a high-schooler at the time, she thought it was a big deal. “I remember acting as a translator between my family and the doctors, and I was really inspired by their kindness and care,” she recalls. That encounter, combined with her strong interest in biology and supportive teachers along the way, propelled Navu to become a doctor herself.
As she approaches graduation, Navu can’t forget to mention her clinical mentors: Luke Laffin, MD, Co-Director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders, and Kimberly Giuliano, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and a primary care pediatric physician, who helped her find her way to internal medicine. “Looking at my past experiences,” she says, “one may have a hard time narrowing down my interests to a specific field, but my curiosity and love for all the different disciplines is what brought me to internal medicine. I really enjoyed being able to care for patients as a whole and loved to learn about how different organ systems work together.”
Just as her mentors have uplifted her, Navu seeks to mentor others and encourage access to higher education. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered as a tutor for high school students in the Detroit Public School District.
“Education gave me the opportunity to pursue dreams that I never thought possible,” she says. “I loved working with students and understanding their personal learning styles,” she says. Navu thinks of the learning process as a journey, and would love to explore the field of medical education alongside clinical research in the future.
When she isn’t studying, Navu loves exploring Cleveland and its outdoor scenery. She is always open to finding new restaurants and coffee shops, and loves trying new things, especially when it comes to visual art. “I’ve been drawing and sketching portraits for a long time and recently got into using watercolors to paint landscapes, animals and flowers.” Navu says she’s still learning but is enjoying the relaxation that art can offer!
