Posted on June 23, 2023 by College of Sciences
#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike
Melanie Narkunan, Biochemistry Major
By Pelle Muñoz
Meet recent UTSA graduate Melanie Narkunan 23, a proud honors student, undergraduate researcher and Biochemistry major at UTSA.
Being from San Antonio, Melanie felt that UTSA was the perfect choice for an institution that would allow her to experience college to the fullest while being close to home.
Since high school, Melanie has had a keen interest in biology and chemistry, which led her to major in biochemistry. In addition to this interest came a passion for medicine, making the pre-med track an excellent fit for her.
Melanie was thrilled to have an opportunity to explore her interests in biochemistry. Among her favorite experiences within her major was a class dedicated to independent research.
"My major is very science and research oriented," said Melanie. "It aligned a lot with my research interests in spite of not pursuing it as a career in favor of the pre-med track."
Melanie values UTSA's dedication to cultural expression and proud heritage. "I think UTSA is unique in that we take pride in our Hispanic Heritage and culture," said Melanie. "We have our own Fiesta celebration as well as other traditions such as Light the Paseo."
Melanie started conducting research in May of 2021 in the lab of Madesh Muniswamy, Long Endowed Tenured Professor in Medicine with UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA.) The focus of the lab is studying mitochondrial physiology and redox biology in cell function. The lab worked as an integrated molecular, cell, and biochemistry lab where Melanie had spent her summer doing full time research. She was granted a $3,500 award by the Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship (UTSA PURF) that would allow her to do independent research and present it at the Research Symposium at the end of the summer.
During the summer of 2022, Melanie was selected to participate in the San Antonio Program for Undergraduate Research in Renal Science (SPURRS), which came with a $5,500 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH.) Alongside performing research, Melanie had the opportunity to participate in lectures about Renal Medicine, visits with the dialysis unit in the hospital, and a presentation at the end of the summer for the National KUH Undergraduate Research Symposium.
From the symposium, Melanie was selected to attend the American Society of Nephrology Annual "Kidney Week" Conference in Orlando, Florida in November 2022. Despite not being selected to present her research at the Conference, Melanie was awarded a $1000 stipend and an additional $750 from the Honors College to attend sessions and interact with various healthcare professionals, researchers and residents. "This was a wonderful learning experience for me and has helped me gain perspective in my future in medicine."
On top of being a researcher, Melanie has also extended a hand to her community. Through her volunteer work with the Corazon Clinic since 2020, she helped in their mission to provide free healthcare to the underserved community. This opportunity fell on her radar through her involvement as an active member in the Pre-Medical Society, a UTSA student organization that is committed to the enhancement of pre-medical scholarship through education, empowerment, networking, and service. Through her time volunteering, Melanie eventually became a trainer, where she is now tasked to train other volunteers.
Along with her involvement as an active member and treasurer for the Pre-Medical Society from 2020 to 2022, Melanie takes pride in her experience with UTSA Sapna, UTSA's premier competitive all girls Bollywood fusion dance team. She started as a dancer in 2019 but would eventually become the logistics chair from 2020 to 2021.
Melanie feels that the help from the college has been instrumental in her success, citing her supplemental instructors and STARs tutors specifically. Her easy access to resources and support is something she has been grateful for.
The Honors College has also proved to be an important part of Melanie's journey. "I loved the Honors experience and believed that the courses offered have helped me immensely in learning," said Melanie. "I also found the Honors experiences to be motivating to do more with my college career outside of taking classes. I think they provide unique opportunities for students that I encourage anyone to take."
During her time at UTSA, Melanie learned she shouldn't limit herself on opportunities. "This specifically was towards my interests in research when I wanted to join a lab at UTHSCSA but didn't feel like I could do it," said Melanie. "I eventually did and ended up getting published."
Similarly, Melanie encourages new and prospective students to not overlook any new experiences. "UTSA is a great university that allows you to grow at your own pace with a supportive community," said Melanie. "Always seek to grow and be around those who provide a positive influence."
Melanie will be opening a new chapter this summer, as she will be starting at the University of The Incarnate Word School of Medicine as a medical student. After medical school, she hopes to pursue primary care where she will have her own clinic.
"Your college experience is determined by what you make of the resources and people around you," said Melanie. This is why UTSA's impact and commitment to excellence has been instrumental in shaping the journeys of countless students, empowering them to create enriching experiences as they travel new paths.
— College of Sciences
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