Gayatri Kavumkal, a second-year UAB undergraduate student on the pre-medicine track majoring in Cancer Biology and minoring in Chemistry, has been selected for the 2024 Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship program. Each summer, the Presidential Honors Fellowship program gives students across a variety of fields of study the chance to conduct research related to their majors or areas of interest with a monetary stipend and guidance from faculty mentors.

Kavumkal is mentored by J. Victor Garcia-Martinez, Ph.D., professor and chair, and Angela Wahl, Ph.D., associate professor.

“The Presidential Honors Fellowship provides an excellent opportunity for highly motivated and promising undergraduate students like Gayatri to gain laboratory research experience,” Wahl said. “It is a privilege to mentor the next generation of scientists. We are proud of what Gayatri has learned and accomplished this summer.”

Kavumkal shared details about herself, her research, and what she looks forward to in the program.

Tell us a little about yourself and your educational background.

I am from Birmingham, Alabama, and I graduated from Oak Mountain High School. I love to involve myself in a variety of areas that spark my passions, such as dance. At UAB, I am involved in organizations such as TrailBlazers, Ambassadors, Indian Cultural Association, and Honors Ambassadors.

Tell us a little about your research and why it interests you.

As a Cancer Biology student, I am particularly fascinated in learning and contributing to research about the intersection between human viruses and human cancers. My research this summer focused on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which affects around 90 percent of the world’s population by the time they are adults. EBV establishes lifelong latency after infection. While healthy adults can effectively control EBV through their immune systems, immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to developing tumors associated with this virus.

However, it is largely unknown what signals play a key role in orchestrating viral latency and EBV-induced tumorigenesis. Additionally, as someone who is also planning to pursue a master’s degree in public health with the Accelerated Bachelor's-Master's Program, my lab’s overall research area has further implications on future vaccinations and therapies for diseases that fit right into my future studies.

What does being selected for the UAB Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship mean to you, and how will it support your future goals?

The UAB Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship is an incredible blessing and privilege that supports my goal of exploring the world of scientific research and discovery. Working in Drs. Garcia and Wahl’s lab was my first exposure to scientific research, and I was able to learn and contribute to the amazing work they do through this Fellowship. Along with growing in the lab, the UAB Honors Presidential Fellowship also teaches its cohorts about crucial professional development and soft skills, ranging from stress and time management to interview skills to money management. The program has opened many avenues for my future in scientific and professional future. I am forever grateful for being able to spend my summer in this enriching, educational, and fulfilling way!

What are your goals for the future?

I am currently on the pre-medicine track, with hopes of becoming an oncologist.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I want to express my gratitude for my mentors, Drs. Garcia and Wahl, and everyone in the lab for everything they have done for me! This has been an incredible experience, and I look forward to continuing to improve and grow under their guidance.