Prachi Shah, senior biological sciences major, was named the 2014-15 Dean’s Leadership Scholar in May. Shah was selected from a pool of 50 top Biological Sciences School students entering their senior year.

“I would thank the Dean’s Leadership Council for awarding such a prestigious scholarship to me and investing in my future,” said Shah. “Their belief in my potential is very encouraging and will continue to motivate me to work harder to pursue my dreams and bring me a step closer to becoming a physician in the future.”

Shah’s career aspiration to become a physician started during her senior year in high school when she held an internship at UCI Medical Center. She worked in the Labor and Delivery Department where she shadowed OB/GYNs, resident doctors, and observed procedures. Shah shared that she enjoyed working on a team and serving others, an experience that affirmed her interest in pursuing medicine as a career, particularly obstetrics/gynecology, and motivated her to study biology at UCI.

The Dean’s Leadership Scholarship will help Shah tremendously, reducing her loan burden and helping with medical school applications. “The scholarship will allow me to focus on my classes and participate more in undergraduate research and other volunteer activities, which I am very grateful for,” added Shah.

We wish Shah and all Biological Sciences School seniors the very best in their senior year.

If you’d like to learn more about you can support undergraduate and graduate students at the Biological Sciences School, please contact Andrew DiNuzzo at 949.824.2734 or adinuzzo@uci.edu.