Name: Janaki Kher
Major: Biomedical Sciences Major
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Biloxi, Mississippi
Favorite Quote: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world” – Mahatma Ghandi
If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Passionate, Empathetic, Intuitive
What do you love most about UAB?
The community of student, faculty, and staff that give UAB its caring atmosphere, diversity, and willpower.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
This year I started going to “Club Sterne” and have been loving it because I can balance out studying and spending time with my friends.
What organizations are you involved in on campus?
I’m in the Science and Technology Honors Program, International Mentors, Undergraduate Student Government Association, Social Justice Advocacy Council, BlazaRaas Dance Team, and Books without Borders.
Do you hold any leadership positions in those organizations? If so, what are your positions?
I am one of Leads for International Mentors, the Director of Student Issues for USGA, Campus Outreach Coordinator for SJAC, and Captain for BlazaRaas.
What inspired you to get involved in USGA?
Being apart of student council and other leadership organizations was one of the most enriching experiences during my high school career, and I wanted to be able to be an active member of UAB student community and play a role, large or small, in helping to make sure students’ voices were being heard and their needs were being met.
What do you like most about being the Director of Student Issues?
This position allows me to not only collaborate with other USGA members on different initiatives, but I get to mass survey students on areas of concern and take those concerns to administration and collaborate with them to create solutions to implement changes now and for the future.
What initiatives have you been working on as Director of Student Issues?
I have been working with USGA Senate to potentially expand Blazer Express routes to be able to go to apartment buildings and locations outside the current radius. Other initiatives include working with UAB IT to provide students with a free printing service and potentially encouraging the use of open educational resources in certain courses.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
I hope to be a practicing physician that is able to support and aid patients from all backgrounds on an individual patient-physician level and improve the healthcare system as a whole by bridging gaps and ensuring all communities are receiving equitable care. I want to eventually take my skills back to India and other underprivileged areas and work to bring basic health care needs to those without it.
What inspired you to choose your career path?
One of my earliest memories is being in my small little hometown in India and being the happiest and most content child surrounded by the most supporting family and community, but I did not come to realize until years later that many members of my hometown did not have access to the same sanitation, food, educational, and healthcare resources as I had once I moved to America, yet I remember it as being the happiest place on Earth. In reality it was just a glimpse of unequal distribution of resources within human society, and I can not help but want to try my best to improve some aspect of that. This memory in combination with my interest in biological sciences and developing connections with others inspired me to choose this career path.
In this field, what is your is your area of interest and why?
At the moment, I am not set on a specific area within the medical field, but I do know that I want to be able to have the skills to bring basic health care access to underprivileged areas in the US and around the world.
What is one thing that you’re most passionate about?
Humanity, in all senses of the word. I think that the most important quality as an individual and society is having humanity because it encompasses empathy, understanding, bridging differences, problem solving, and positively impacting people.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Post-graduation I plan to work for a non-profit or internship for one year that allows us to interact with communities and provide any sort of service to them before starting medical school.
Her Campus wishes you success in your future endeavors, Janaki! #HCXO