Shikhar Gupta

Hello! My name is Shikhar and I'm a third year undergraduate at Penn in the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program, where I am studying Biochemistry (BA) and Chemistry (MS). My research interests were sparked in high school where I worked in the Schwartz Lab at the Feinberg School of Medicine, studying the morphology and signaling of retinal ganglion cells. This experience inspired an interest in the interconnectivity of the brain with so many other fields of study. As a result, I joined the Cristancho Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where I research the connection between metabolism and prenatal hypoxia. At Penn, through the Vagelos MLS Program, I have gained an appreciation for the basic physical sciences and hope to continue research in basic science fields in the future. 

Beyond the lab bench, you can find me perfecting my French press recipe, rooting for Chelsea FC, volunteering at Camp Kesem, or singing in the Penn Chorale. I encourage all those that are interested in my work, or are just looking for mentorship navigating the scary premed journey, to reach out. It's the invaluable advice from upperclassmen that has gotten me this far; I can't wait to pay it forward!

• Roy & Diana Vagelos Program in the Molecular Life Sciences (Vagelos MLS) 
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Cristancho Lab | Undergraduate Researcher, Philadelphia, PA (September 2022 – Present)
• Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Schwartz Lab | Intern, Chicago, IL (June 2021 - May 2022) 
• Vagelos MLS Summer Research Grant 
• College House Research Fellowship 
• Ernest M. Brown, Jr. College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant