Bhavana Sridharan

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT BHAVANA SRIDHARAN

I am an undergraduate Sturgis Fellow at the University of Arkansas pursuing a double major in Biology (B.S.) and Psychology (B.A.) on the pre-medical track. My academic and professional interests center on the intersection of clinical medicine, cancer biology, and translational research, with the long-term goal of becoming a physician. I am particularly interested in specialties such as cardiology, oncology, and neonatology, where scientific innovation and compassionate patient care intersect. As I embark on my journey in healthcare, I strive to bring curiosity, empathy, and interdisciplinary thinking to my work as I prepare for a career dedicated to advancing medicine and improving patient care.I am currently an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Narasimhan Rajaram’s Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab, where I study the tumor microenvironment using advanced optical techniques including multiphoton microscopy, diffuse optical spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Our research focuses on understanding tumor metabolism and hypoxia to identify biomarkers of treatment resistance and therapeutic response, with the goal of translating these discoveries into clinically viable technologies that personalize cancer treatment. My work involves mammalian cell culture, protein analysis techniques such as BCA assays and Western blotting, and maintaining detailed experimental documentation to support translational biomedical research.Beyond research, I am deeply committed to service, leadership, and community engagement. I serve as the Membership and Points Officer for MEDLIFE, where I manage member engagement and organizational communications, and I am on the Vice President Board for the Indian Cultural Association, helping organize cultural programming that celebrates South Asian traditions and promotes inclusivity on campus. I also volunteer with organizations focused on community health and education, including providing heart health screenings with Hearts for Homeless (H4H) and mentoring students in literacy programs through Passionate About Literacy (PAL). Outside of academics, I enjoy Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, and playing the violin in both Western classical and Carnatic styles.