AJ will graduate summa cum laude with a degree in Chemistry in May 2008. When AJ was eight years old, his mother died of breast cancer. Subsequently, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins also succumbed to many forms of cancer and AJ’s passion for healing began to form. He threw himself into school and activities, such as the Texas A&M Cancer Society and the PreMedical Society. His involvment has been honored with the Cancer Society Outstanding Member award, and with the Honored and Distinguished Member Award from PreMedical Society for being the second most active member.

 

He added research to his palette in 2005 when he began working for the Cyclotron Institute working on various nuclear chemistry and physics projects. In the summer of 2006, AJ was selected for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Summer Research Program and was able to study MKK$ protein in cancerous cell lines. For his senior year, he was selected as one of only 35 Undergraduate Honors Research Fellows and is conducting his own research this year on refining novel imaging compounds for the detection of mycobacteria. AJ also invested  time ensuring that he wanted to become a physician by observing surgeries, volunteering in hospital emergency rooms, and shadowing a variety of physicians. He feels fortunate to be embarking on a career that he loves.

 

 

 

Before leaving for medical school, Christi will graduate summa cum laude with a degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science track. As a student-athlete, she was well-known on campus for her involvement and leadership in sports, including Team Captain of the Texas A&M Volleyball Team, President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years, and numerous stints as head coach for various summer volleyball camps for high school students. However, Christi is also one of the most outstanding students in the classroom. Her outstanding academic record led to dozens of awards including Texas A&M Verizon Scholar Athlete of the Year and the Thomas Gathright Scholar Academic Excellence Award.

 

Kristi first developed her interest in medicine when her older sister (also a college athlete) developed a two cardiac conditions, one of which remains undiagnosed. During college, Kristi confirmed her decision by volunteering at a local clinic for the uninsured, shadowing multiple physicians in various disciplines, and even participating in a medical mission trip to Brazil. Kristi’s demonstrated leadership, compassion, and intelligence will serve her well when she joins the profession.

 

Bhavini will graduate summa cum laude in May 2008 with degrees in both Biochemistry and Genetics. Additionally, She is one of only a handful of students who will receive University and Foundation Honors, and was an Undergraduate Honors Research Fellow. Her other accomplishments include receiving the Gathwright Award for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and being the Goldwater Scholarship nominee for Texas A&M.

 

Since her first semester, Bhavini has worked in a laboratory which focuses on interactions between proteins and other substrates. She also participated in summer programs at medical schools and spent 2005 and 2006 at UTMB in the Familiarization Program and the summer of 2007 in the SMART Program at Baylor Medical School.

 

As a student leader, she co-founded two organizations: The Texas A&M Tuberculosis Awareness Group and the Aggie Book Club. Bhavini is also very active with the Honors Student Council and the Hindu Students Association. These activities demonstrate her diverse interests and her desire to help others.

 

Prior to enrolling in dental school,  Kelly will graduate summa cum laude with a degrees in Biochemistry and Chemistry.  Her academic and leadership potential were recognized during her freshman year when she was one of fifteen freshman selected as University Scholars from amongst the top students. Kelly is an active recruiter for the university Honors Program and served as Executive Vice President for the Honors Student Council. She is also a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board for the College of Science and has worked in chemistry and biology labs since her first year.

 

Kelly grew up in a ‘dental’ family; her mother and five close relatives are all dentists, so Kelly sought to ensure that her choice of dentistry was the right one for her. She has done extensive shadowing with dentists in College Station, San Antonio, and even Seville, Spain. She is the current president of the Texas A&M PreDental Society and has promoted their participation in volunteering at the Brazos Valley Community Dental Clinic. Through her varied experiences, Kelly has determined that dentistry is right for her because it is both people- and detail-oriented and enables the dentist to make a positive impact on patients’ lives.