The Polymathic Scholars Student Leadership Panel hosts a variety of social, academic, and service events on and off campus. Among its signature achievements is the Texas Chautauqua Series, an annual campus-wide forum on issues of particular importance to Texans. Recent forums have concerned the controversy over how evolution should be taught in the state’s public schools, concealed carry legislation, the influence of major college football in higher education, and the pros and cons of taxing carbon emissions. Sophomores, juniors and seniors apply to join the coming year’s panel in April; freshmen may apply after their first semester. The 2024-2025 Chair is Neha Yawalkar.
The Polymathic Scholars Student Leadership Panel hosts its own website and Facebook Page.
Chair:
NEHA YAWALKAR
Neha is a fourth-year student from Flower Mound, Texas. Neha is majoring in Biochemistry, minoring in Women and Gender Studies, and pursuing a certificate in Pre-Health Professions. Outside of Panel, Neha conducts research in the SOGI: Health and Rights Lab and the DIY Diagnostics stream of the Freshman Research Initiative. She has served in leadership positions in the Polymath Creative Collective, Polymath Mentorship Program, Project Advance Austin program, and the Students for Planned Parenthood organization. She is also a Phlebotomy-certified clinical volunteer at Kind Clinic and a student employee at the Liberal Arts Career Services office at UT. Neha is passionate about sexual and reproductive health and hopes to focus her field on LGBTQ+ healthcare in India. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year and then attend medical school. Neha Yawalkar is the 2024-2025 Panel Chair.
Small Events:
KATHERINE KOWSER
Katherine is a fourth-year student from Dallas, Tx. She is majoring in Biochemistry in addition to pursuing the Pre-Health Professions certificate. Katherine plans to focus her thesis on international adoption from China and its impact on psychological identity formation within the context of social and economic factors. She is currently working as a mentor in the Aptamers stream of the Freshman Research Initiative and has been an active member of the Polymathic leadership panel since her sophomore year. After she graduates, Katherine plans on taking a gap year before attending medical school. Outside of school, she enjoys reading and embroidery. Katherine is chair of the Small Events committee.
AKANSHA BOJJAM
Akansha is a second-year student from Frisco, Texas. She is majoring in Public Health and pursuing certificates in Pre-Health Professions and Spanish for Medical Professions. Akansha plans to focus her field on healthcare access and public policy. Outside of Panel, Akansha is part of the DIY Diagnostics Stream of the Freshman Research Initiative, Natural Sciences Council, and Longhorn EMS. She also volunteers at Dell Seton. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Austin, reading, and listening to music. Akansha is a member of the Small Events committee.
KRIPA PHILIP
Kripa is a second-year student from Round Rock, Texas. Kripa is majoring in Neuroscience and is pursuing a certificate in Pre-Health Professions. Kripa hopes to design her field around psychopathology as it relates to crime in the South Asian community. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, she is the outreach coordinator of the UT Austin Indian Orthodox Campus Ministry, is an active member of OneWay and MHISA, and volunteers at the hospital. In her free time, Kripa loves singing, painting pottery, baking, and trying out different coffee shops in Austin. She is also passionate about advocating for mental health specifically in underrepresented communities. Kripa is a member of the Small Events committee.
SOWMYA SRIDHAR
Sowmya, a third-year student from Flower Mound, Texas, is a Public Health major minoring in Science Communication. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, she is part of the UT Microfarm, Hindu Students Association, The Daily Texan, and HOSA – Future Health Professionals. She enjoys exploring local parks, going to concerts, cooking, and reading. Sowmya is a part of the Small Events committee.
COLIN JOHNSON
Colin is a fourth-year student from Driftwood, Texas. Colin is majoring in Physics. He currently is focusing his field around the anthropology of astronomy. Outside of panel, he is currently working as a mentor in the White Dwarves FRI Stream and as an assistant researcher in a biophysics/robotics lab on campus. He currently is pursuing an industry job in applied physics post graduation. In his free time, Colin enjoys exercising, swimming, and writing. Colin is the head of the Mentorship subcommittee within Small Events.
LUJEIN ABDELWAHED
Lujein is a second-year student from College Station, Texas. Lujein is majoring in Public Health and pursuing a certificate in the Pre-Health Professions. She hopes to design her field around the intersection between various cultures and medicine. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, Lujein is a Learning Assistant for general chemistry lab, a member of the DIY Diagnostics stream of the Freshman Research Initiative, a member of Texas Bluebonnets, and volunteers at the hospital. In her free time, she enjoys grabbing coffee with friends, visiting new museums, and singing. After graduation, she plans on going to medical school. Lujein is a member of the Small Events – Mentorship committee.
SHRUTHI JAISHANKAR
Shruthi is a second-year Neuroscience major from Leander, Texas! She is currently pursuing the pre-vet track with plans of attending veterinary school after graduation. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, Shruthi is involved in Tech Fraternity (KTP), Pre-Vet Association, Reading Aces, and volunteering at her local animal shelter. Her hobbies include reading, journaling, DIY projects, and playing volleyball. Shruthi is a member of the Small Events Committee.
Special Programs:
ADITI BHAT:
Aditi is a third-year student from Temple, Texas. Aditi is majoring in Biology and pursuing a certificate in Pre-Health Professions. Outside of Panel, she serves as leadership in the Polymath Creative Collective (PCC), a mentor for the Discovering Signals stream of the Freshman Research Initiative, and a member of UT’s Community Engagement Collective (CEC). Aditi is passionate about healthcare accessibility and equity and improving patient experience, especially for those in underrepresented communities. She hopes to focus her field in these areas. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. In her free time, Aditi enjoys reading and crocheting. Aditi Bhat is chair of the Special Programs Committee.
RAINA PATEL
Raina is a second-year student from Sugar Land, Texas. Raina is majoring in Biochemistry and pursuing an Elements of Computing Certificate, Social and Behavioral Sciences Minor, and Pre-Health Professions Certificate. She has not determined her field yet but hopes to study topics relating to sociology and science communication. Outside of Polymath, she is a member of the Virtual Cures FRI stream, ATX Science Olympiad, and Women in Medicine, volunteers at a hospital, and will be working as an EMT. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Conan Gray, baking, biking, painting, and traveling! Raina is a member of the Special Programs Committee.
JAMES LIU
James is a fourth-year student from Katy, Texas pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics along with minors in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Applied Statistical Modeling. He plans to design his field around intelligent medical technologies. In addition to Polymathic Scholars, James is involved in ATX Science Olympiad, the Natural Sciences Council, UT SEEK, and the Robot Perception and Learning Lab. In his free time, he can be found climbing, trying to find a good book to read, and getting distracted on long walks. James is a member of the special programs committee.
ANANYA BHALLA
Ananya is a second-year biology student from Tampa, Florida, trying to make a lasting impact on her student and local communities. She’s spent her freshman year developing a passion for emergency medicine through an EMT-certification, organizing events for her residence hall, and submitting pieces for college-wide magazines. She wants to learn everything from storytelling to pathophysiology, adores Up-and-Atom coffee, and is excited to be a part of the Polymath Special Programs Committee!
Outreach and Engagement:
TEJA MEKA
Teja is a third-year Chemistry and Neuroscience major from Round Rock, TX. Her field explores the impact of mythology on the development of early healthcare systems. Outside of Panel, she is currently involved in ACS, SEAL, pursues research through the Aubrey Lab, and volunteers at a hospital. In her free time, she loves to curl up with tea and a good book, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. Teja is chair of the Outreach and Engagement Committee.
RINKA KO
Rinka is a fourth-year Neuroscience major from Shanghai, China, pursuing a minor in business. Originally born in Japan, she is now fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese. Rinka plans to design her field around the intersection of neurology and music therapy, as well as the connection between emotions and the body. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, she is actively involved as the president of the Japanese Association and has even formed her own band at UT. In her free time, Rinka loves watching anime, singing, composing her own songs, and swimming or playing tennis. Rinka is a member of the Outreach and Engagement committee.
MANISHA SAHU
Manisha is a second year Public Health major from Leander, Texas. Outside of Panel, Manisha is a member of Texas Bluebonnets, Alpha Phi Sigma, and the Biomanufacturing Stream from the Freshman Research Initiative. She is interested in healthcare equity and public policy. Manisha plans to attend Medical School after graduation. In her free time, Manisha loves to play piano and guitar, read, journal, and hike! Manisha is a member of the Outreach and Engagement committee.
KATIA PETROSKY
Katia is a fourth-year Polymathic Scholar from Houston, TX majoring in both Chemistry and Nutrition, minoring in Business, and pursuing a certificate in Food and Society. Her field focuses on the intersection between the culture of food, sustainability, and history. She is currently involved in the Texas Orange Jackets as vice president, Society for Advancing Gender Equity in STEM, and is an undergraduate researcher in the Rose Research Group. Outside of class, she enjoys baking and cooking, being with her family and friends, sports, crocheting, and most of all, travelling. She plans to go to graduate school to focus on food science and take her love for gastronomy worldwide. Katia is the chair of the Interhonors Subcommittee.
THOMAS PHILIP
Thomas is a third-year majoring in Neuroscience from Dallas, TX. He is interested in medicine, research, and teaching. At UT, he enjoys attending football games, exploring restaurants and trails in Austin ,and hearing guest speakers on campus. In his free time, Thomas enjoys running, reading, and basketball.
AMSHULA GAJULA
Amshula is third-year majoring in Statistics and Data Science from Austin, TX. She is interested in the intersection of healthcare and data analytics. She is involved in campus organizations such as Texas AED, a pre-health fraternity, as well as the logistics chair of UT Saaya, a Bollywood fusion competitive dance team. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her friends and family by going on hikes and trying new restaurants in Austin.
Public Relations:
VIBHA ANNASWAMY
Vibha is a fourth year neuroscience major from Dallas, Texas. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends or curling up with a good book and a cup of tea (or fueling her coffee addiction). Outside of the Polymathic Scholars, she volunteers with SEAL and works as a mentor for her FRI, Bioprospecting 2.0 (the best lab). Her field is called "A Name for the Order: Ethnic Names in the U.S." and explores the experience of people with non-western names in the U.S. through a cultural and neuroscientific lens. She plans to go to graduate school for neuroscience after graduation. Vibha is chair of the Public Relations committee.
SHREYASI TAMHANE
Shreyasi is a second-year statistics and data science major from Cypress, Texas. Some of her hobbies include scrapbooking, reading, and graphic design. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, Shreyasi is involved in Indian Students Association (ISA), Hindu Yuva, and American Statistical Association (ASA). Shreyasi is a member of the Public Relations committee.
KATE KONG
Kate is a second-year Statistics and Data Science (SDS) from McKinney, TX! She is also pursuing the pre-medical track with the hopes of becoming a doctor. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, she is involved in the Virtual Drug Screening Lab and Alpha Phi Sigma at UT. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, watching Bridgerton, traveling, and going to concerts. Kate is a member of the Public Relations committee.
HAYA PRASLA
Haya is a fourth year Biochemistry Major from Friendswood, TX with certificates in Design Strategies and Environment & Sustainability. Outside of panel, she serves as Trash to Treasure co-lead under the Campus Environmental Center, advancing sustainable fashion initiatives across campus, and has participated in various programs and departments across campus including Project Advance Austin, Longhorn Impact Fellowship at Texas and the UT Office of Sustainability. Her field explores the intersection of design, sustainability, and ecology with a focus on biophilic and biomimetic design.
KATARINA BELLON
Katarina is a second-year Biology major from The Woodlands, Texas. She is also pursuing an Anthropology minor and Forensic Science certificate, with hopes of going into Forensic Anthropology or Pathology. Outside of Panel, she is an officer and national competitor for Longhorn Powerlifting. Additionally, she enjoys playing flute, making jewelry, exploring nature, listening to music, and playing Among Us with her roommates. Katarina is a member of the Public Relations committee.