My lab research at UF helped me become a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Cech Fellow
Growing up in Bangalore, India, my fascination with the natural world began long before I ever stepped into a research lab at the University of Florida.
Whether I was studying at Cluny Convent or later earning the Rev. Fr. Biscaro Biology Award at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, I constantly found myself asking questions about how living systems function. I was captivated by the idea that every major breakthrough, from lifesaving medications to revolutionary diagnostic tools, started with someone asking a question and pursuing the answer with persistence and creativity.
The idea that someday even I could contribute to humanity in a way that would improve millions of lives truly fascinated and inspired me to seize every opportunity to achieve my dream. My path has been deeply shaped by my commitment to service, rooted in my early days organizing science fairs and working with the Residents Welfare Association in Rajajinagar.
When my dad moved to the U.S. during my 11th-grade year, I decided to apply to American universities, and I learned about the amazing opportunities UF offered. I knew right away that the first thing I wanted to do was join a research lab. I emailed professors whose work resonated with my interests and managed to start working in two research labs before my classes even started.
Research has truly taught me things no textbook can. It has enriched my experience as a student and has made me ever more capable of tackling obstacles. Working in a research lab provided me with a problem-solving and open mindset; it prompted me to push my boundaries and think outside the box, which I think is extremely essential.
Today, I split my time between two incredible spaces: Dr. Amal Narayanan’s lab and Dr. Fan Hong’s lab. Under Dr. Amal, I have been working on developing a polymer specifically designed to target biomolecular condensates, organelles that tend to dysregulate in conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
I was also supported as part of the Michelin Science Scholars Program through the lab. During the process, I had several polymerizations that failed, but the urge to contribute to society and the impact my work could potentially have gave me the motivation and courage to keep going.
My scientific curiosity and mindset were further refined in the Hong lab, while I was working through the optimization process for immunostaining using antibodies and DNA toeholds on brain tissue to see certain proteins at different temperatures. The experiment required meticulous attention to detail, and despite careful preparation, several early attempts produced inconsistent results. Instead of viewing those setbacks as failures, I learned to approach them as opportunities to refine my understanding of the underlying biology and experimental design.
A defining moment in my journey occurred this summer, as I was selected for the inaugural cohort of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Cech Fellows Program. The initiative pairs undergraduate students with leading scientists for nine weeks of hands-on laboratory experience at places like Stanford University, and it provides a platform for students to contribute directly to groundbreaking biomedical discoveries.
Being chosen is both an incredible honor and a profound responsibility. This opportunity validates the countless hours I have spent learning techniques, troubleshooting experiments and developing a scientific mindset, while placing me in an environment where I can learn from some of the most innovative scientists in the world.
Carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Thomas Cech, a Nobel laureate who fundamentally changed how we understand molecular biology, means approaching science with curiosity, humility and a willingness to challenge established assumptions.
At UF, balancing multiple leadership roles has taught me how to communicate across different perspectives, organize teams and improvise. Completing 84 hours of clinical volunteering in the cardiovascular unit at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital allowed me to witness the human side of medicine, reinforcing the idea that every diagnostic tool originates from years of fundamental research.
Looking ahead to my graduation in 2028, I plan to combine my technical expertise with my deep commitment to service, ensuring that advances in healthcare are equitable and accessible.
UF has provided me with an extraordinary environment to grow as both a scientist and a leader, and I am truly grateful to the university, my teachers and God for giving me the capability to strive for and achieve these heights.
Aadhya Harugeri is a microbiology major and an inaugural HHMI Cech Fellow, spending the summer conducting biomedical research at Stanford University. She balances her work in the Narayanan and Hong labs with campus leadership roles and extensive clinical volunteering.