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 2025-2026 Chair is Aditi Bhat.
The Polymathic Scholars Student Leadership Panel hosts its own website and Facebook Page.
Panel Chair: Aditi Bhat
Aditi is a fourth-year student from Temple, Texas. Aditi is majoring in Biology and pursuing a certificate in Pre-Health Professions and BDP certificate in Social Inequality, Health, & Policy. Outside of Panel, she serves as 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 is the 2025-26 Polymath Panel Chair.
Small Events (SE):
Chair: Akansha Bojjam
Akansha is a third-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 the influence of urban design and policies on health. Outside of Panel, Akansha is part of the DIY Diagnostics Stream of the Freshman Research Initiative, Longhorn EMS, and Natural Sciences Council. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Austin, getting coffee, reading, and listening to music. Akansha is the chair of the Small Events committee.
Member: Kripa Philip
Kripa is a fourth-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.
Member: Sowmya Sridhar
Sowmya is a fourth-year student from Flower Mound, Texas. She is majoring in Public Health and minoring in Science Communication. She enjoys harvesting produce as a volunteer at the UT Microfarm and planning events like UT’s Navaratri and Diwali celebrations through the Hindu Students Association. Sowmya works as a patient care technician at a local hospital and is a Science Communications Intern for the College of Natural Sciences. She plans to explore strategies to foster social connection in older adults through her thesis. In her free time, she loves to read, try new recipes, and do yoga. In the future, she hopes to become a physician and science journalist.
Member: Sanika Bedse
Sanika is a second-year student from Coppell, Texas. She is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Statistics and Data Science and a Pre-Health Professions certificate. Sanika hopes to design her field around the development of equitable cancer therapies, with a focus on accessibility for underserved communities. Outside of Polymath, she is an undergraduate researcher with the Glow Worms stream of FRI and the Kimmunity Lab, a member of the Natural Sciences Council, Senate of College Councils Community Advocacy Co-Chair, and will be working as a TA for Genetics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing the flute, and biking. Sanika is a member of the Small Events committee.
Mentorship (MP):
Chair: Lujein Abdelwahed
Lujein is a third-year student from College Station, Texas. She is majoring in Public Health, minoring in Arabic, and pursuing a Pre-Health Professions certificate. Lujein’s field plans to discuss the impact of religion and culture on public health and public health initiatives in the Middle East. Outside of Panel, Lujein is a vision therapist at the Optometry Center for Vision Therapy, a learning assistant for general chemistry lab, a research mentor for the DIY Diagnostics stream of the Freshman Research Initiative, and an active member of HOSA and Texas Bluebonnets. In her free time, she enjoys grabbing coffee with friends, reading a new book, and singing. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school. Lujein is chair of the Mentorship Committee.
Member: Shruthi Jaishankar
Shruthi Jaishankar is a third-year student from Leander, Texas, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Business and pursuing the Pre-Health Professions certificate. Her interdisciplinary interests lie at the intersection of environmental studies, animal behavior, and mythology, specifically exploring how different cultures use storytelling to promote wildlife conservation. Beyond Panel, Shruthi serves as the writing lead for the Polymath Creative Collective and is involved in the Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Program, Alchemind, Kappa Theta Pi (a tech fraternity), and the Pre-Vet Association. She also explores her passion for technology through interdisciplinary research and collaboration. After graduation, she plans to attend veterinary school. In her free time, Shruthi enjoys traveling, reading, playing soccer, and scrapbooking. She is also an active member of the Mentorship Committee.
Member: Maya Murali
Maya is a second-year student from Dallas, Texas. Maya is majoring in environmental science and hopes to develop her field around the connection between community building and sustainable living. Outside of Panel, she is a consultant at Texas 180 Degrees Consulting, a member of Natural Sciences Council, and a graphic designer for Trash 2 Treasure. In her free time, Maya loves watching basketball (go Mavs!), Formula 1, and tennis. She also loves nail art, scrapbooking, making playlists, and playing pickleball.
Member: Maggie Ma
Maggie is a second-year student from Frisco, Texas. She is majoring in Statistics & Data Science and Mathematics, and is pursuing the Programming and Computation certificate. Outside of Panel, Maggie is involved in research through the Big Data in Biology FRI stream and is the Public Relations chair for the American Statistical Association. She is also an active member of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), Women in Data Science (WiDS), and the Chinese Student Association (CSA). In her free time, she enjoys drawing, record painting, gaming, and baking. Maggie is a member of the Mentorship committee.
Special Programs (SP):
Chair: Raina Patel
Raina is a third-year student from Sugar Land, Texas. Raina is majoring in Biochemistry and pursuing the Programming and Computation Certificate, Social and Behavioral Sciences Minor, and Pre-Health Professions Certificate. She hopes to explore the cause-and-effect relationship between scientific communication and U.S. policy decisions through her field. Outside of Polymath, she is a research mentor for the Virtual Cures FRI stream, tournament director for ATX Science Olympiad, logistics chair for Polymath Creative Collective (PCC), and a high school chemistry tutor. After graduating, she hopes to pursue an MD-PhD. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, biking, painting, and going to concerts! Raina is the chair of the Special Programs Committee.
Member: Nia Mire
Nia is a second-year student from Cypress, Texas. Nia is majoring in Biology with a Biochemistry concentration and is pursuing a Pre Health Professions Certificate and Spanish for Health Professionals Certificate. She hopes to go to medical school and become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Outside of Panel, Nia is a part of the Microbe Hackers FRI Stream, the SELL Incubator Cohort, and GMT. In her free time, she enjoys reading, collecting records, traveling, and going to concerts. Nia is a Freshman Representative and is a member of the Special Programs Committee!
Member: Teja Meka
Teja is a fourth-year Chemistry and Neuroscience major from Round Rock, TX. Her field focuses on the intersection of mythology and healthcare development, particularly in classical civilizations. Outside of Polymath, Teja is currently involved in SEAL, ACS, pursues research through the Que Lab, and is a TA for general chemistry. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school for chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys reading with a good cup of coffee, cooking, listening to music, and exploring Austin with her friends. Teja is a member of the Special Programs Committee.
Member: Jeeyaben Bhakta
Jeeyaben is a third-year Public Health major from Cypress, TX. She is pursuing a Women and Gender Studies Minor and Pre-Health Professions Certificate. Her field focuses on literature and language within gender and queer studies. Outside of Polymath, she serves on the leadership board of the organizations Longhorn EMS and Partners in Health Engage at UT (PIHE). Jeeyaben is also a member of the DIY Diagnostics FRI stream, volunteers with Kind Clinic, and works as an EMT. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and trying new dessert places. Jeeyaben is a member of the Special Programs committee!
Member: Vriti Arya
Vriti is a second-year student from Frisco, Texas. She is majoring in Neuroscience and pursuing the Health and Innovation Minor as well as the Pre-Health Certificate. Vriti is a researcher in the Biobricks FRI Stream and an active member of Alpha Phi Sigma, a pre-health honor society. She also serves as Executive Director of the Students Expanding Austin Literacy (SEAL) organization where she helps support literacy development for young students across Austin. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching sitcoms, and drinking iced lattes! Vriti is a member of the Special Programs committee.
Member: Janvi Duri
Janvi is a second-year student from Cypress, Texas. She is majoring in Public Health and pursuing the Pre-Health certificate. Janvi hopes to create a field that focuses on the intersectionality of health policy and women’s health, focusing on the accessibility of vulnerable populations. Janvi is an active member of Delta Eplison Mu and is part of DIY Diagnostics FRI stream. In her free time, Janvi loves to bake, play the piano, paint, and try new cafes with her friends! Janvi is a member of the Special Programs committee!
Interhonors (INH):
Chair: Hibba Mansoor
Hibba is a second-year student from Allen, Texas. She is majoring in Neuroscience and pursuing the Programming & Computation Certificate as well as the Pre-Health Certificate. Hibba is involved in research through the FRI Glow Worms stream and is a part of the Natural Sciences Council Legislative Committee. She also is the Assistant Director of Member Fundraising for Texas THON to help raise money for Dell Children’s Medical Center every year! In her free time, Hibba loves to bake, read, and go to cafes with her friends. Hibba is the chair of the Interhonors committee and was one of the 24-25 Freshman Representatives.
Member: Thomas Philip
Thomas is a fourth-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.
Member: Amshula Gajula
Amshula is fourth-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.
Member: Kishan Patel
Member: Abigail Yook
Abby is a second-year Public Health major from Flower Mound, Texas. She hopes to focus her field on healthcare policy and cognitive processing. She studied social justice and change in a May Term study abroad program in London. Abby is an undergraduate researcher in the Bioprospecting 2.0 Freshman Research Initiative stream, a Longhorn Wellness Peer Educator, and a Resident Assistant for UT Austin. In her free time, she loves decorating cakes, crafting, running, reading, and competing in co-ed IM soccer. Abby is a member of the Interhonors committee.
Member: Natalie Flores
Natalie is a second-year Public Health major from El Paso, Texas. She hopes to focus her field on a mix of advertising and healthcare to optimize communication in medicine. She is pursuing the pre-health professions certificate and the health communication minor in the Moody College. On campus, she is a part of the Bioprospecting 2.0 FRI stream, Texas Infinites, and Longhorn Dance Company. Off campus, she volunteers with Breast Cancer Resource Center and Mama Sana Vibrant Women. During her free time, Natalie enjoys watching movies and trying new food with her friends. Natalie is a member of the Interhonors committee.
Public Relations (PR):
Chair: Shreyasi Tamhane
Shreyasi is a third-year statistics and data science major and risk management minor from Cypress, Texas. Some of her hobbies include scrapbooking, reading, and graphic design. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, Shreyasi is apart of the organization, Hindu YUVA, and is involved in a research lab, Project SEED. Her field is called “The Alchemy of Aesthetics: Measuring the Psychological Effects of Good Design”, which aims to quantify what type of effects design has on the human psyche, as well as how these effects influence consumers and purchases. Shreyasi is chair of the Public Relations committee.
Member: Katarina Bellon
Katarina is a third-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.
Member: Manisha Sahu
Manisha is a third-year Public Health major from Leander, Texas. Her field focuses on the intersection of women’s health, health policy, and criminal justice. Outside of panel, Manisha is a leader for Texas SOUnD, a mentor for the Biomanufacturing FRI stream, and is an active member of Texas Bluebonnets and Alpha Phi Sigma. Manisha plans on attending medical school after graduation. In her free time, Manisha loves to journal, play the guitar and drums, read, and cook! Manisha is a member of the Public Relations committee.
Member: Melinda Dae
Melinda is a second-year Neuroscience major and Healthcare Reform and Innovation minor from Sugar Land, Texas. Melinda is also pursuing certificates in Spanish for Medical Professions, Spanish for Business, and Spanish for Mental Health Professions. She plans to focus her field on the impact of design on healthcare. On campus, she is involved in Texas Bluebonnets, Global Medical Training, and the Biobricks FRI stream. In her free time, she enjoys watercolor painting, traveling, bouldering, and spending time outdoors. A fun fact about her is that she just went to Peru as part of a short-term global health initiative!
Member: Sophie Leung-Lieu
Sophie is a second-year Mathematics and Plan II major with a minor in Philosophy from Austin, Texas. She plans on potentially pursuing a career in law and focusing her field on design and philosophy. Outside of Polymath, Sophie enjoys dance, graphic design, and having fun with friends. At UT, Sophie is also involved in the Daily Texan and the Plan II Students Association.
Member: Jade Huang
Jade is a third-year Biology and Linguistics student from Frisco, Texas. Outside of Polymathic Scholars, Jade is a member of the Polymath Creative Collective (PCC), Reading Aces, Longhorn EMS, and the Biomanufacturing FRI stream. Jade also works as an EMT and enjoys drawing, cooking, and playing bass guitar. Jade is a member of the Public Relations committee.