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Tell us briefly about yourself.
I am originally from Minneapolis. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where I majored in bioengineering with a minor in philosophy.I am currently applying to internal medicine residency programs, with hopes to pursue a cardiology fellowship afterward.
Why did you choose CCLCM?
I was drawn to CCLCM’s philosophy of training students to become strong physician investigators at the forefront of academic medicine, while remaining grounded through reflective practice and a strong arts and humanities curriculum. The people at CCLCM are also incredibly warm and welcoming. I remember leaving my CCLCM interview loving my interactions with current students. I am so grateful to be part of that family today.
Mentorship is important to you. Tell us more.
I didn’t understand what true mentorship was until my time at CCLCM. The opportunities for strong mentorship here are truly second to none, and I would not be here without those strong influences today. I met one of my current mentors, Grant Reed, MD, MSc, during year one, after he gave a talk on cardiac physiology to our class. Though I was initially nervous to approach him about career and research guidance, he was so approachable and made time to meet and invest in my growth and learning.
Flash forward almost five years later, and he remains one of my strongest mentors to date. A highlight for me was getting to design and complete a clinical cardiology elective with him in third year, during which I worked with him either in the Cardiac ICU or Structural OR/Cath Lab in the mornings and then on research projects together in the afternoons!
What do you especially love about Cleveland, your “second home”?
Cleveland has many gems, from its incredible outdoors to a vibrant food scene. A highlight for me has been exploring and taking advantage of our world-class music scene, from Cleveland Orchestra performances at Blossom Music Center in the summer to Severance Hall in the fall and winter, and Broadway shows at Playhouse Square. Some of my favorites include “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” movie with live orchestral accompaniment at Blossom Music Center, and “Hamilton” and “Hell’s Kitchen” at Playhouse Square.
Tell us about your research year project.
I was awarded the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation Fellowship and had the opportunity to complete my research year at Stanford University under the mentorship of Paul Cheng, MD, PhD, and Brian Kim, MD, MPH. I used a multi-omics approach to study why men and women experience vascular disease, specifically atherosclerosis, differently. During the first half of my research year, I learned bioinformatics and computational approaches to analyze bulk and single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic data. In the latter half, I sought to validate some of these computational findings at the bench using cell and other models.
My studies uncovered the possible role of X-linked epigenetic modifiers, existing at higher concentrations in females compared to males, that may drive divergent disease trajectories. I hope that work like this will begin to lay the foundation for precision-guided therapies that account for biological sex.
How do you manage stress?
I love to call my family every day; it is grounding to talk to them, especially during more stressful moments. I also enjoy spending time with friends; playing and listening to music; cooking and attempting to recreate some of my mom’s South Indian recipes; yoga and fitness; and catching up on a good movie or TV show. More recently, I’ve gotten back into reading and doing puzzles.
Share a favorite affirmation that keeps you motivated.
There is a verse from the Bhagavad Gita that translates to “lift yourself by yourself.” To me, it’s a crucial reminder that our minds can be both our best friends and worst enemies. We are capable of navigating life’s challenges by recognizing our inner strength. I often repeat this phrase to myself to remember that I am capable of anything and can achieve whatever I set out to do as long as I remain positive, focused and balanced.
What advice would you give to new CCLCM students?
Enjoy the process and have faith in yourself that everything will work out. Your time in medical school will fly by so quickly, so enjoy the enduring moments outside the classroom and hospital with yourself, friends and family. This profession can be so demanding and taxing; it is so important to develop healthy practices and routines early on.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I was roommates with my younger sister in California during my research year! It had been almost seven years since we last lived together. We had the best time together exploring California and nearby areas, from driving along the Pacific Coast in Big Sur to skiing in Lake Tahoe and surfing in Hawaii!
