Name: Simita Gaglani Hometown: Austin, Texas Year in Medical School:MS2, Class of 2024 Undergraduate School: The University of Texas at Austin
Do you serve on any student interest groups/organizations/activities? If so, which one(s)?
I love being involved in school organizations. Throughout my time here, I've been a Student Ambassador, a board member of the Student-Run Clinic and the Association of Women Surgeons, and a planning committee member for the annual Education Collaboration for Aspiring Health Professionals (ECAHP) competition, to name a few. These organizations have been a great way for me to feel connected to the Valley community and find various ways to channel my excitement about pursuing a career as a physician.
What inspired you to become a doctor? When did you know you wanted to be a doctor?
I've wanted to be a doctor my whole life. Still, I don't think I fully understood why until I began doing healthcare-related community service throughout my time in college and saw the interplay of public health and medicine. The idea of using my strengths and passions to leave the world a little bit better than how I found it was what made it click for me, and I haven't looked back since.
Why did you choose UTRGV School of Medicine?
The UTRGV School of Medicine has cultivated a culture of support that is incredibly difficult to replicate. The people here are well-rounded, dedicated, and selfless beyond compare. It's a special place to receive an education, and I'm so glad I get to experience it firsthand.
What specialties of medicine interest you the most? Why?
I haven't started my clinical rotations yet and want to keep an open mind, but the specialty that's stuck out to me the most so far has been urology. It's such a cutting-edge, experimental field that is so multi-faceted, and it completely aligns with everything I love about medicine.
What areas of research interest you the most? Why?
My interest in urology has led me towards research in that field, which has been incredibly enlightening. I've especially enjoyed my research involving prostate cancer, whether it be using exosomes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes or the development of prostate cancer in transgender women. The innovation in this field is alluring to me, and I hope to continue exploring urological research as well as research in other areas.
How has the UTRGV School of Medicine fostered your interest in pursuing a career in medicine?
The interpersonal support I've received here has been outstanding. Medical education can be challenging to navigate, but the mutual support and understanding among my peers and myself make the process simpler and more approachable. Additionally, the mentorship I have received from the faculty here has been transformational. Because of it, I have been pushed to become the best student and medical professional I can be.
What are your plans for engaging in research this summer?
I have been lucky enough to find academic research mentors with whom I have worked for about a year. I hope to continue working with them to cultivate more of my thoughts and ideas in the urological field, while hopefully also taking some time to transform local data from my student organization involvement to characterize health in the RGV.
What is one interesting fact others might not know about you that you are willing to share?
My favorite ingredient to cook with is chickpeas--if you can think of a recipe that uses them, chances are I've made it in the last week!
