This summer, senior Srinidhi Chinnadurai is taking another step toward a career in medicine as a Michael Garil Memorial Summer Intern at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, one of the nation\u2019s leading cancer research and treatment centers.<\/p>\n
A member of the Macaulay Honors College<\/a> and Brooklyn College\u2019s Coordinated B.A.\u2013M.D. program<\/a>, Chinnadurai is pursuing a double major in psychology<\/a> and philosophy<\/a>, with a concentration in medical ethics. The aspiring physician has already built an impressive record of research, leadership, service, and academic achievement.<\/p>\n Chinnadurai\u2019s selection places her among a distinguished group of Brooklyn College students who have benefited from the vision and generosity of Bernard Garil \u201962 and his wife, Ethel. The couple established a pair of internships<\/a> in memory of their children, Michael and Stacey, both of whom passed away from cancer. Transforming their loss into an enduring opportunity for future generations, the Garils created summer research experiences that give students hands-on exposure to cancer research at world-class institutions.<\/p>\n Over the years, the Garils\u2019 commitment to Brooklyn College has enabled dozens of aspiring doctors and scientists to spend summers at prestigious centers such as Dana-Farber and Johns Hopkins, gaining invaluable mentorship and research experience while helping advance the fight against cancer.<\/p>\n For Chinnadurai\u2014whose own interest in oncology is shaped in part by family members\u2019 experiences\u2014the opportunity represents both a professional milestone and a chance to contribute to work that has the potential to change lives.<\/p>\n We spoke with Chinnadurai about her research journey, her passion for medicine, and what she hopes to learn during her summer at Dana-Farber.<\/p>\n Tell us a little about your background and how you got to Brooklyn College. \u00a0When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in medicine? You\u2019ve already built a strong research background. How did that begin? \u00a0What kinds of research have you worked on at Brooklyn College?
I grew up in Nassau County and came to Brooklyn College through the Macaulay Honors College and the B.A.-M.D. program. I\u2019ve always been interested in medicine, and my high school adviser encouraged me to apply for the program. It felt like a good fit.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s kind of always been on my radar. In middle school and high school, I started exploring that interest by volunteering in hospitals. I volunteered at Nassau University Medical Center and at the Ronald McDonald House, where I worked closely with families of sick children. That experience really showed me a different side of health care, not just the clinical aspect, but the emotional and community side, too.<\/p>\n
In high school, I took research classes and worked on a project about synesthesia, which is how people associate sounds with colors. It was my first exposure to the scientific method, and it made me realize how much I enjoyed research. When I got to Brooklyn College, I knew I wanted to continue that, so I joined a psychology lab in my freshman year.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been in Dr. [Laura] Reigada<\/a>\u2019s lab for three years now, and I\u2019m currently working on my honors thesis there. I\u2019ve worked on both qualitative and quantitative projects. One of my major projects focused on HPV-associated cancers, where I helped analyze open-ended survey responses about people\u2019s perceptions of risk and attitudes toward vaccination.<\/p>\n