Spotlight on Integrated Science Curriculum Student Karthik Dhanireddy

Reflecting on the Program . . .

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What drew you to Virginia Tech?

I am from Falls Church, VA. What really drew me was the Virginia Tech community. When I did governor’s school here for a month, I was drawn to the fact that no matter what backgrounds people are from, everyone treats each other here with the utmost respect. 

What majors/minors are you pursuing?

I am pursuing a major in Microbiology.

What drew you to ISC?

I liked the idea that it was a novel approach to science. Instead of focusing on what science was, ISC focuses on what science is/where it’s going in the future.

What did you like most about ISC?

I liked the fact that you’re with the same group of peers for two years. Over the course of those two years, I’ve made some of my best friends in college, and I continue to hang out and interact with them today. Furthermore, we all think alike and have similar goals for the future.

What was your favorite ISC lab exercise?

My favorite ISC lab exercise was the nanomedicine module. I’m interested in going into the medical field, and seeing how something as intricate as gold nanoparticles could deliver drugs blew my mind away.

How do you think ISC differs from traditional science classes?

I think ISC approaches science in a multifaceted way. Compared to the other science classes, chemistry only focuses on chemistry, bio only focuses on bio, etc. There isn’t necessarily an overlap or rather, they don’t illustrate the overlap between the different disciplines of science. Whereas in ISC, everything is transparent, and we can see how important other disciplines of science complement one another. 

Have you participated in undergraduate research? If so, what did you work on? How did ISC inform how you approached your research?

Right now, I work in Dr. Renee Boyer’s lab in HABB1. I work in the Food Safety and Technology department and I currently work with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). I am responsible for testing different disinfectants on the growth rate of the MRSA strains. Coming into research, I was already familiar with the different pieces of equipment and tools used. This was because I had already learned all of this in ISC lab. Currently, I am working on a publication, and because of the lab reports I had to write in ISC lab, I feel very prepared and confident about it.

What career path do you hope to follow?

I would like to go to medical school, and hopefully pursue a path in becoming an infectious disease specialist.

Can you speak to the overall impact ISC has had on you as a student? As a person?

I think ISC has taught me how to think more critically and pursue things from different points of view. Because of ISC, my mind isn’t programmed to approach a microbiology problem with just microbiology information, but rather a multifaceted approach with physics, chemistry, and math. As a student, I think it prepared me for my upper level classes – especially organic chemistry. I felt one step ahead of everyone at all times, and I think it really paid off.

What is your favorite part of being a Hokie?

My favorite part of being a Hokie is being part of a community where everyone respects one another even though we all have different backgrounds and upbringings.

Anything else you would like to add?

Personally, I think ISC was the best decision I’ve ever made in college. The relationships forged, the content learned, and the overall memories are definitely the highlight of my college career.