Class of 2028 - Students (2024)

Hi! My name is Anusha Singh, and I’m from Vestavia Hills, Alabama. I plan to major in Neuroscience through the Personalized Honors Program, and I’m so excited to join UAB! I attended Vestavia Hills High School, where I was involved in Vestavia Ambassadors, Math Team, RISE as a Team Captain, Science Olympiad as Event Coordinator, and our school newspaper, Vestavia Pillar, as Editor-in-Chief. I was also an active member of HOSA throughout high school, in which I served as secretary and competed in Human Growth and Development and Pathophysiology.

Outside of school, I enjoy volunteering with Children’s of Alabama, UAB Hospital, and as State Head of Light4Kidz, a student-led nonprofit dedicated to healthcare accessibility. I also spent my summers assisting in research at the UAB Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center and pursued my own project on novel wound treatments in fruit flies, which I had the opportunity to publish and present at the International Science and Engineering Fair. In my free time, I love listening to music, spending time outside, watching movies with my family, and trying to cook. I’m so grateful that the opportunities I pursued throughout high school helped me shape my interests and my future as a physician. I truly can’t wait to be a part of EMSAP, where I can explore medicine through the unique lenses and rich experiences offered at UAB. Go Blazers!!

Hi! My name is Bhavya Chalasani, and I'm from from Madison, Alabama. I am a recent graduate of James Clemens High School, where I took an active role in various organizations, such as HOSA and several Honor Societies, and served as the Vice President of the Student Government Association for four consecutive years. Through the Biomedical Academy at JCHS, I acquired valuable experience and certifications in CPR and patient care tech. I am incredibly passionate about laboratory research. With the opportunity to work at renowned institutions like HudsonAlpha and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, I have been able to gain accolades at national competitions, and I am eager to continue exploring my research interests under the guidance of UAB's distinguished faculty.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I am dedicated to community service, volunteering with Asha Kiran and Lincoln Village Ministries. Tennis is another major interest of mine; as the captain of my high school's varsity team, I've earned achievements at the state and sectional levels. Additionally, I contribute to The Teen View, a student-led forum for discussing social and political issues. EMSAP stood out to me because it provides a nurturing and supportive environment, along with outstanding mentorship opportunities, which I believe are crucial for my development as a future physician. At UAB, I plan to major in Neuroscience and participate in the Personalized Honors Pathway. I am thrilled to start my journey as a future physician! Go Blazers!

Hi! My name is Cynthia Liu, and I’m from Vestavia Hills, Alabama. I attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts in the Math and Science Department, where I served as president of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, co-captain of the Science Olympiad team, and secretary of the Asian American Student Union. I was also a member of the Science Bowl team, a school ambassador, hosted shadow students, and participated in our computer science outreach program. Outside of school, I led the Birmingham Branch of the Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States, a nonprofit service organization, and volunteered at the UAB Hospital, McWane Science Center, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of AL.

Completing an immunology research project at UAB and shadowing doctors at the Kirklin Clinic solidified my passion for medicine, and I am excited to continue exploring my interests through EMSAP. At UAB, I plan to major in Immunology on the Personalized Pathway and possibly pursue a Master’s in Public Health. I’m looking forward to all the opportunities UAB has to offer and all the amazing experiences in my future! Go Blazers!

Hi! My name is Deeksha Hanumanula, and I am from Ashburn, Virginia. I graduated from Rock Ridge High School, and a specialized science and research magnet program called the Academy of Science. In high school, I was a student officer for the Technology Student Association and competed in the Biotechnology Design event, served as the president of the Amnesty International club, and an officer for Shooting Stars Foundation, an international nonprofit that raises money for scholars around the world who cannot afford college education.

I found my zeal for medicine as I served my community by running calls as an emergency medical technician, volunteering at a hospital, spending one-on-one time with memory care residents in a senior center, and shadowing different specialties. Research was also intriguing to me as I interned at the National Cancer Institute and Rice University while working on my independent research projects on retinal and gastrointestinal disease identification using machine learning algorithms. Outside of the world of medicine and research, I am a competitive dancer (a passion I have had since the age of 3), enjoy spending time outdoors and quality time with my family and friends! At UAB, I plan on majoring in cancer biology and obtaining a masters in public health, while being a part of the Personalized Honors Pathway Program. With EMSAP, I look forward to having a family of like-minded individuals and the opportunities to challenge myself to become a well-rounded physician. Go Blazers!

Hi! My name is Dina Samson, and I am from John’s Creek, Georgia. I graduated from Wesleyan School, serving as a sports medic for the Varsity Volleyball team and a staff member on the Literary Magazine team. I was also involved in choir, Model Arab League, Mock Trial, and as VBS leader on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Outside of school, I have spent the past four years tutoring elementary schoolers and TA-ing for Corner’s Outreach, a non-profit that focuses on providing underserved communities with educational and economic opportunities. I also shadowed pediatricians and internal medicine doctors, which affirmed my lifelong interest in medicine and cemented my desire to pursue it as a career.

The bonds I have made through all my extracurriculars have shown me how central I want collaboration and community to be to my medical journey, and this is a large part of why I am so excited to be a part of the EMSAP program. The welcoming community, ample support, and flexibility to explore my diversity of interests drew me in, and I cannot wait to spend the next chapter of my life as a Blazer!

Hi! My name is Holland Griggs, and I am from Scottsboro, Alabama. I attended Scottsboro High School, where I participated in activities such as the football, golf, tennis, and fishing teams. I was also active within many clubs and organizations, serving as senior class secretary, as well as National Honor Society president and Junior Civitan president. Outside of school, you might catch me singing or playing pickleball. I am a 7-time State Beta Champion, recipient of the People’s Choice Award for singing at the National Beta Convention, and the Alabama High School Pop Idol Champion along with my two best friends who sing in our trio.

I grew up with an immediate exposure to dentistry as my grandfather practiced dentistry for over fifty years. He began Holland Family Dentistry, which I hope to take over once I get out of school. My grandfather always loved and had many stories to tell about his time at UAB. My aunt and uncle are also dentists who met and fell in love at the UAB School of Dentistry. They are looking forward to having me come to work with them at the family practice upon completion of dental school. I chose UAB because of the benefits of the EDSAP program and its outstanding reputation in the healthcare field. While I love my small town home, I look forward to moving to a larger city, meeting new people, and exploring the diversity the university offers. I plan on majoring in biology and am so excited to follow the family tradition of becoming a Blazer!

Hi! My name is Iris Lee, and I'm from Huntsville, Alabama. I recently graduated from New Century Technology High School, where I served as the Senior President of the SGA. I was also the Chief Editor of the Neuroscience Club, where I edited and published a research paper on Traumatic Brain Injuries and was an active member of the National Honor Society and HOSA.

In addition, I founded the American Sign Language for Innovative Teens club, which raised funds to ship Operation Christmas Child boxes, used ASL to support Deaf children at the National Children's Advocacy Center, and assisted in ASL classes at church.I discovered my love for research and dentistry during my HudsonAlpha internship, where I conducted extensive research on antibiotic alternatives in environmental DNA and through shadowing my dentist.

Outside of academics, I have played the violin for 13 years and have been a part of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra for six years, currently serving as co-concertmaster. I also volunteer in my church orchestra and participate in AMTA.

The EDSAP program at UAB is a perfect fit for me. It offers a blend of academic rigor, community support, and opportunities for growth. I am excited to join the UAB family and explore all the opportunities the campus has to offer. Go Blazers!

Hey! My name is Marilyn Alex. I am from Cumming, GA and attended Alliance Academy for Innovation. I am a huge fan of Rick Riordan and served as the President of the Book Club. I volunteered for various community outreach programs and was Vice President of Project Linus. The Healthcare pathway at my school strengthened my dedication to the field of medicine. I am a nationally certified EMR and also interned at an eye clinic pretesting patients. I shadowed Internists, Pediatricians, and Nephrologists. Additionally, I volunteered at the ER, ICU, and Supply Chain department at Wellstar North Fulton hospital. As a certified hospice volunteer, I assisted patients in hospice and memory care units.

I conducted hands-on research on Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma at Morehouse School of Medicine and presented my findings at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair. I co-authored a paper on a 3D model for studying Free Fatty Acid-Induced Proximal Tubule Lipotoxicity. Additionally, I observed research on the modulation of dendritic cells and macrophages by high salt at the Georgia Cancer Center. My additional interests include addressing disparities and improving access to healthcare. I participated in mission trips to Guatemala through my church and aspire to engage in medical mission trips in the future. I am excited to pursue a major in Neuroscience and am genuinely looking forward to joining the close-knit EMSAP family! I look forward to exploring all the resources available to become a versatile physician and make meaningful contributions to our community. Go Blazers!

Hello! My name is Riya Naphade and I graduated from James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama. Throughout high school, I was an active member of various academic and volunteer-based clubs, including serving as vice president of public relations and historian of HOSA, vice president of Science National Honor Society, vice president of Technology Student Association, and a representative in the Superintendent Student Advisory Committee. I was involved in the JCHS Biomedical Academy where I shadowed at various hospitals and clinical sites while gaining hands-on skills applicable to the field of medicine.

Outside school, I enjoyed volunteering to teach advanced math concepts to elementary students through Beast Academy, volunteering as a camp counselor for the Madison SRO Kids Camp, shadowing physicians from various specialties, and serving as co-coordinator for the Global Talent Symposium 2024. Some of my passions include playing piano and creating various origami sculptures. It was after interning at a research lab at UAB, that I knew this was the place for me. I chose EMSAP because of the myriad of experiences and the nurturing community of like-minded individuals which will enable me to grow into a well-rounded physician. At UAB, I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering on the Personalized Honors track. I aim to continue diabetes research and I intend to be an Endocrinologist. I am so excited to be a part of EMSAP as I believe it will provide me with unique opportunities while also making new friends! Go Blazers!!