NSU Horizons Spring 2012

13 HORIZONS Sakthi Murugan 64 Undergraduate Studying Biology (premedical) Age: 22 Hometown: Hollywood, Florida Why did you choose NSU? NSU has a great biology program, a high medical-school ranking, small classes, a beautiful campus, and is minutes from home. What is the best part about being a Shark? Everything! I am getting a complete college experience. What is your favorite NSU tradition? Sharkapalooza and the Anything That Floats Raft Race. It is fun building the raft, racing, and even sinking! What NSU organizations and activities are you involved in? In addition to The President’s 64, I am the founder and past president of Rotaract. I also was involved in the Shark Squad, SEA Board, Pre-Med Society, and NSU Conservatives. I am also studying progenitor stem cells with a faculty member from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and a gene, DAXX, and its expression in prostate cancer cells at NSU’s Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research. Which are you most passionate about? I founded the service club Rotaract my freshmen year, and we raised $10,000 to send members to Uganda to build a school. We will also build a library in Paraguay and are closer to the goal of raising $30,000. I hope, in another two decades, that Rotaract will still have its STUEY-winning Gold Fin Organization status! Studying DAXX has taught me perseverance, and working along- side grad students and Ph.D. postdoctoral students is simply cool. It is cutting-edge research in the real world. What is your favorite class or who is your favorite professor? My anatomy professor, James Munoz, made his lectures fun and medically related. Brad Williams’ guidance has shaped me into a good leader. My NSU experience would not have been the same if it weren’t for these professors. What is your favorite place on campus? I like the bench next to the Sonken Building, which overlooks a mini-lake. It is so peaceful during a busy day. What are your career aspirations? I have always wanted to become a doctor. I love caring for people, and the natural sciences stimulate my curiosity. I hope to continue my Shark journey at NSU’s medical school this fall. What is a fun fact we should know about you? I hold a First Dan Black Belt in Wado Ryu Karate. Go Sharks! Studying the gene DAXX has taught Sakthi Murugan perseverance.