Dhairya Desai
Undergraduate Research and Community Engagement Inspire a Service-centered FutureBy Sonja Barisic
Photos By Kat Lawrence
Dhairya Desai, a pre-med student and third-year Levine Scholar at UNC Charlotte, moved around so much as a kid that he jokes “I was a military brat without the military.”
Desai was born in India and moved with his family to the United States when he was four years old. His father’s IT career led to the family moving across several states, settling in North Carolina about seven years ago.
When it came time to consider college, Desai – the first member of his family to attend college in the U.S. – chose to explore universities in North Carolina so he could stay close to family.
Competitive academics and civic engagement
His journey to UNC Charlotte was guided by his desire for a liberal arts education while exploring the sciences. He was drawn in by the highly selective Levine Scholars program, which provides a full scholarship and emphasizes civic engagement, leadership, academics and activities.
Desai, who focused on community service in high school, especially liked that the Levine Scholars program encourages students to actively engage with their community. He observed that at UNC Charlotte, “you have a good connection with the campus and the city,” he said.
The program offers unique and often life-changing opportunities, such as fully funded summers that include experiences like wilderness expeditions, international travel and internships. Before starting his first semester, Desai spent a month backpacking and camping in Wyoming with other new Levine Scholars, forging friendships and facing challenges that set the tone for his college experience. Since then, he has interned at Atrium Health and has shadowed cardiologists, surgeons and other medical professionals at a hospital in Greece.
Desai is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a biochemistry concentration and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He envisions a career in medicine, potentially as a medical doctor or medical scientist. “I always liked science and within science, medicine is the place where you can fix stuff,” he said.
“Charlotte has provided me with a platform to explore my passions and head toward making a positive impact in medicine.”
-Dhairya Desai
Beyond academics
Understanding that research experience as an undergraduate student could expand his knowledge and enhance his chances of getting into medical school, Desai connected to a research opportunity his first year.
“As soon as I was accepted to Charlotte, I started emailing professors about research,” he said. “I volunteered my first semester on campus. Second semester, I started taking research for credit.”
His research bridges chemistry and public health. Under Thomas A. Schmedake, professor and interim chair of the Department of Chemistry, Desai worked on compounds to enhance the brightness of OLED devices.
And, through Levine Scholars, he is helping to build “Coach McLungs,” a platform for asthma research to improve patient outcomes. He has been able to present both projects at multiple conferences. He also has been involved in water treatment research, building compounds to take away “forever” chemicals.
Reflecting on his mentors, Desai expressed gratitude for the guidance of, among others, Levine Scholars Program Director Heather Smith and Diane Zablotsky, the program’s former director. He said his experiences at UNC Charlotte have opened multiple possibilities, allowing him to explore various paths and exposing him to valuable connections.
Undergraduate research: A differentiating factor
In addition to research and other academic pursuits, Desai has tutored peers and done videography work for the South Asian Student Association. He is president of the campus Habitat for Humanity chapter and leads Kids are Scientists Too, a club that strives to get elementary and middle school students interested in science. To get clinical hours, he works at Atrium Health on weekends as a certified nursing assistant.
His commitment to giving back is evident in a Levine Scholars civic engagement project: He gives free CPR classes to diverse communities, addressing disparities in access to life-saving skills.
“UNC Charlotte has provided me with a platform to explore my passions, engage with the community, and head toward a future dedicated to making a positive impact in the medical field.”
Sonja Barisic is a freelance writer based in Norfolk, Virginia.
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DHAIRYA Desai
Undergraduate Research and Community Engagement Inspire a Service-centered Future
By Sonja Barisic
Photos By Kat Lawrence
Dhairya Desai, a pre-med student and third-year Levine Scholar at UNC Charlotte, moved around so much as a kid that he jokes “I was a military brat without the military.”
Desai was born in India and moved with his family to the United States when he was four years old. His father’s IT career led to the family moving across several states, settling in North Carolina about seven years ago.
When it came time to consider college, Desai – the first member of his family to attend college in the U.S. – chose to explore universities in North Carolina so he could stay close to family.
Competitive academics and civic engagement
His journey to UNC Charlotte was guided by his desire for a liberal arts education while exploring the sciences. He was drawn in by the highly selective Levine Scholars program, which provides a full scholarship and emphasizes civic engagement, leadership, academics and activities.
Desai, who focused on community service in high school, especially liked that the Levine Scholars program encourages students to actively engage with their community. He observed that at UNC Charlotte, “you have a good connection with the campus and the city,” he said.
The program offers unique and often life-changing opportunities, such as fully funded summers that include experiences like wilderness expeditions, international travel and internships. Before starting his first semester, Desai spent a month backpacking and camping in Wyoming with other new Levine Scholars, forging friendships and facing challenges that set the tone for his college experience. Since then, he has interned at Atrium Health and has shadowed cardiologists, surgeons and other medical professionals at a hospital in Greece.
Desai is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a biochemistry concentration and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He envisions a career in medicine, potentially as a medical doctor or medical scientist. “I always liked science and within science, medicine is the place where you can fix stuff,” he said.
“Charlotte has provided me with a platform to explore my passions and head toward making a positive impact in medicine.”
-Dhairya Desai
Beyond academics
Understanding that research experience as an undergraduate student could expand his knowledge and enhance his chances of getting into medical school, Desai connected to a research opportunity his first year.
“As soon as I was accepted to Charlotte, I started emailing professors about research,” he said. “I volunteered my first semester on campus. Second semester, I started taking research for credit.”
His research bridges chemistry and public health. Under Thomas A. Schmedake, professor and interim chair of the Department of Chemistry, Desai worked on compounds to enhance the brightness of OLED devices.
And, through Levine Scholars, he is helping to build “Coach McLungs,” a platform for asthma research to improve patient outcomes. He has been able to present both projects at multiple conferences. He also has been involved in water treatment research, building compounds to take away “forever” chemicals.
Reflecting on his mentors, Desai expressed gratitude for the guidance of, among others, Levine Scholars Program Director Heather Smith and Diane Zablotsky, the program’s former director. He said his experiences at UNC Charlotte have opened multiple possibilities, allowing him to explore various paths and exposing him to valuable connections.
Undergraduate research: A differentiating factor
In addition to research and other academic pursuits, Desai has tutored peers and done videography work for the South Asian Student Association. He is president of the campus Habitat for Humanity chapter and leads Kids are Scientists Too, a club that strives to get elementary and middle school students interested in science. To get clinical hours, he works at Atrium Health on weekends as a certified nursing assistant.
His commitment to giving back is evident in a Levine Scholars civic engagement project: He gives free CPR classes to diverse communities, addressing disparities in access to life-saving skills.
“UNC Charlotte has provided me with a platform to explore my passions, engage with the community, and head toward a future dedicated to making a positive impact in the medical field.”
Sonja Barisic is a freelance writer based in Norfolk, Virginia.