DLS Ambassador Alumni
- Pavithra Veera
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Hometown: Monroe Township, NJ
- Career Interest: Research/ Data Analytics
- Fun Fact: My passions include hiking, digital art and slam poetry! In my spare time, I hope to play a part in protecting our planet and preserving biodiversity.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class that I've taken is Public Speaking because it prepared me to speak in front of other people and it helped build my self-confidence.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I am a two-time participant of the DLS SURF program which occurs over the summer where we have the opportunity to research with a faculty member and present our findings in an end-of-program symposium. Outside of research, I am also a part of the College Avenue Players (CAP) club where I act in plays and produce mini scripts! In my free time, I like to make digital animations and perform slam poetry!
- Sneha Kumar
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Certificate in Computational Genetics
- Hometown: Middlesex Borough, NJ
- Career Interest: I aspire to become a physician, potentially specializing in endocrinology. My experiences working with patients in healthcare roles and volunteering, coupled with my passion for understanding the complexities of the human body have ignited my interest in this career path.
- Fun Fact: I enjoy playing the piano, reading and traveling!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class so far was a genetics lab course called Honors Computational Genetics (01:447:203).
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I work in Dr. Verzi's lab in the Human Genetics Institute where I received the DLS SURF research fellowship while working in his lab for the past 3 years. I am also the programming coordinator for Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), the health pre-professional honor society, the secretary for the Association of Undergraduate Geneticists (AUG) club, an executive board member for the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program (SASHP) Artist Collective and a peer mentor within the SASHP. Outside of Rutgers I work as a medical assistant at Kidz Dreamz Pediatrics in Iselin New Jersey.
- Esha Nauman
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Minor(s): Marine Science
- Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician
- Fun Fact: I recently got my Scuba license!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
I really liked Fundamentals of Neurobiology with Dr.Hsu. She’s an amazing professor who definitely has a passion for the subject. It’s also a great introductory class for people wanting to get into Neuroscience.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I was a participant in the DLS SURF Program where I did research over the summer. I’m also part of the LA program here at Rutgers, so I offer extra academic support in recitation/study halls. In my free time I volunteer as an EMT at my local first aid squad.
- Stephanie Zheng
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Hometown: Hackensack, NJ
- Career Interest: Dentistry
- Fun Fact: I enjoy baking, cooking, sleeping, and watching c-dramas!
- Nikhil Nandkumar
- Graduation Year: 2024
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Additional Major(s): Philosophy
- Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ
- Career Interest: I am interested in becoming a surgeon, particularly in the field of sports orthopedics. I have seen some of my favorite athletes have diminished careers due to injuries and I want to be able to assist them in the best way. The combination of my passion for learning about the human body and watching sports drives me into this area of the field.
- Fun Fact: I have traveled to over 40 countries, and I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class was Integrative Physiology because it delved deep into the human body, which was always of interest to me. I learned so much from this class and reinforced my interest in wanting to become a physician.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I am currently a TA for the Honors General Chemistry class, a research assistant for the Shumyatsky Lab, was a phlebotomist at RWJ, a member of the American Medical Student's Association club (AMSA), and an active member of the Rutgers Intramural Basketball team.