Randolph-Macon College alumni Tara Balasubramanian ’18 and Steven Neal ’18 will soon wrap up post-baccalaureate programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Both credit RMC for helping prepare them for these rigorous NIH programs—and for the next step: medical school.

Steven Neal ’18 is a second-year NIH Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) fellow. The program, designed as a steppingstone between undergraduate and professional school, “is a paid position in which I work full-time in a biomedical research laboratory—the Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),” says Neal. “The projects I work on span across the bench-to-bedside pathway, including an in vitro study, an animal model study, and a clinical trial. Collectively, the experiences I had at RMC taught me a lot about myself and solidified in my mind that pursuing a career in medicine is right for me.”

Tara Balasubramanian ’18 is a second-year NIH Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) fellow at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).

“During my time in the Laboratory of Cochlear Development at the NIDCD, I have been able to work on in vitro projects that aim to characterize the effect of blast exposure on the inner ear and explore a potential therapy to rescue damaged sensory cells,” she explains. “Being able to participate in translational research has been especially rewarding and is something I hope to continue as a future medical student. My experience in undergraduate research, as a SURF (Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship) student, gave me hands-on experience with multiple methods that I currently use, while my science courses provided a strong foundation on which I have built.”

Biology Professor James Foster says Neal and Balasubramanian made the most of research opportunities at RMC.

“It’s very exciting to see them continue their scientific development at the NIH, which is one of the premier research institutions in the world,” says Foster. “They are really prepared for medical school. They are very well-rounded people with a variety of interests and passions, so they are great ambassadors for RMC’s liberal arts education.”

Steven Neal ’18
Neal (behavioral neuroscience and biology major; chemistry minor) describes his years at RMC as a time of exploration and preparation.

“Serving in student organizations helped shape me as a leader and pushed me outside of my comfort zone,” he says. “Most importantly, RMC afforded me opportunities to take classes that I might not have taken if I had attended another institution. These courses had the most transformative effect on my way of thinking, building relationships and perceiving the world.”

New Insights
During his freshman year, Neal took a sociology course taught by Professor Sarah Cribbs in which he learned about sociological imagination—the capacity to step back and recognize how one’s individual and collective experiences interact and relate to change in society.

“This new lens through which to view the world has influenced my thoughts and behavior in a significant way,” says Neal. Outside the classroom, he shadowed doctors and volunteered at clinics in the Richmond metropolitan area—experiences arranged by Josh Quinn, medical careers coordinator for the EDGE, RMC’s four-year career program. And SURF research that Neal conducted resulted in an invitation to present his work at an international meeting in Japan and have his manuscript published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Decision Time
Neal has been accepted to and will attend University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia beginning in fall 2020.  “What makes this school appealing to me is their unique curriculum, the culture of mentorship that is present throughout the medical school, their new medical school facilities, and their reputation for excellence,” says Neal. As a future physician, he plans to focus his energy toward clinical practice and helping those who struggle to access healthcare.

“I am passionate about mental health and chronic diseases,” says Neal, an avid runner who hopes to log 1,500 miles in 2020. “I hope to pursue a medical residency that will enable me to practice medicine with patients suffering from these diseases. In particular, I wish to establish a practice in underserved areas.”

Tara Balasubramanian ’18
At RMC, Balasubramanian, who majored in biology and French, discovered a passion for science and medicine, leadership and service. 

“Prior to starting at RMC, I knew I was interested in biology and medicine, but I wasn’t certain that I wanted to pursue a future in science,” she says. “So, I entered RMC with an open mind and decided to explore my interests. Taking classes from different disciplines while engaging in biological research led me to realize my passion for science and gave me the motivation to fully explore career options in the medical field.”

Mentorship
Biology Professor James Foster mentored Balasubramanian throughout her RMC tenure and beyond.  

“He was always available to discuss any questions I had and made every effort to ensure that I was prepared for my research project, my post-baccalaureate program, and the medical school application process,” she says. “Professor Foster helped me determine my timeline for medical school and encouraged me to explore research opportunities outside of RMC. Josh Quinn also helped me throughout my undergraduate career. From advice on coursework, internships, and taking the MCAT, to emailing about applications and interviews, Josh provided information and support that helped me become a competitive applicant.”

Medical School
Balasubramanian has accepted an offer from University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she will begin studies in fall 2020.

“Their Renaissance Curriculum, strong background in research, and renowned shock trauma center were some of the factors I was most attracted to,” says Balasubramanian, who in her spare time enjoys cooking and gardening. “I am excited to begin my journey as a medical student and I am confident that UMSOM will prepare me to become the physician I aspire to be. I plan to enter medical school with an open mind and take every opportunity to explore my interests within medicine.”