Biology: the study of life. For some students, the class stimulates nothing more than elaborate daydreams while waiting for the bell to ring. But, for others, it creates a sense of great inspiration at the intricate world of science.
Senior Daksha Nair would fall into the second category, having found her passion for science, and later medicine, in the sophomore year class.
“When I started high school, I definitely didn’t think of science as a big thing,” Nair said. “I probably thought I was gonna go more into English, or something in the humanities. And then in sophomore year, I took biology, and I really loved it.”
The summer after her sophomore year, Nair explored her interest in biology through the Medical Academy at Georgetown University, a summer program that allows for a week of medical experience for high schoolers.
“We got to talk to a bunch of doctors and medical students, and do hands-on stuff too,” Nair said. “I just was like, ‘This is what I want to do.’”
After recognizing her passion, Nair needed to get creative in finding ways to break herself into the world of the work she was interested in.
“I don’t have a lot of nepotism in the medical field,” Nair said. “No one in my family is a doctor, but the thing is, I know a lot of doctors living in Swarthmore.”
Thanks to a referral from her next-door neighbor Caitlyn Elgrarten, an attending physician with the Cancer Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Nair was able to go through the interview process for a position at CHOP this past summer. Since then, Nair has worked as Student Research Assistant in the Bone Marrow Department, both in-person and remotely.
With a new bone marrow treatment undergoing testing through trials, Nair was able to gain experience analyzing and organizing data for the hospital.
“One thing that CHOP really needs in order to do [the trials] is to be able to access the bone marrow plasma bank,” Nair said. “In order to do that, they have to take all their patient statistics and report those things. That was one of the main things I started off doing.”
More recently, Nair transitioned to working on a research project about viral Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes, specialized cells that can be used in immunotherapy.
Throughout her time at CHOP, Nair has found patient interaction to be an aspect of the job that is most rewarding.
“Through this job, I have been able to do a lot of shadowing with the physicians that I’ve met,” Nair said. “I think for me, that’s what sticks with me the most: putting a face to the names that I see and the data I’m working with.”
While the position brings great opportunity, it is not free of its challenges. Nair has had to learn the importance of speaking up, particularly as a young person.
“I think it was kind of hard to advocate for myself, because they don’t have a set course,” Nair said. “You kind of have to stand up for yourself and say, ‘Okay, I’m finished with this work, is there anything else I can do that’s more involved?”
Now looking towards graduation, Nair has decided to continue her studies at the University of Virginia (UVA). Nair hopes to get a taste of many aspects of the medical world.
“UVA is definitely competitive for [pre-med], so I’m nervous, but I think it’s also really important to be well rounded as a pre-med and not singularly focused on one thing,” Nair said.
Additionally, she will continue her work with CHOP remotely from campus. In terms of specialization, much remains undetermined, but Nair has a small inkling about what the future might hold.
“I’m open to anything, but I have done shadowing in a lot of different departments, and right now what stands out to me the most is pediatrics,” Nair said. “I do love working with kids.”
In the past year, Nair’s love for the work has grown through the support of the CHOP community.
“I’ve met so many amazing physicians, students, and fellows who work there, and everyone is just super supportive,” Nair said. “It’s just been a great opportunity all around.”
