Next Up: Surgeon-Scientist

For Diya Chhabra, a 2024 Brightpoint graduate, one career is not enough. Her vision is to merge two roles: scientist and surgeon. With her curious nature and her desire to develop life-changing advancements, the vision fits, and her Brightpoint experiences and a summer internship at the Cancer Research Center at Children’s National Research Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C. are helping her make it happen.

Here’s how she is using her passion for science to create a groundbreaking future:

Build a Strong Foundation

When Diya started her education at Brightpoint in January 2023, her choice to study science was an easy one.

“Every day, countless scientists, researchers, and medical professionals are tirelessly working towards discovering cures for diseases, treatment plans, and even potential new viruses,” Diya said. “The idea of contributing to this noble cause by working in a laboratory and also operating—it truly ignites a passion within me. It feels like something I was born to do.”

To transform her passions into a career, Diya knew she would need to build a strong foundation in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. Among the many science courses she took at Brightpoint, it was a pig dissection lesson with Professor Amanda Lentz-Ronning that she remembers distinctly.

“It was a hands-on learning opportunity that left a lasting impression on me and solidified my passion for biology,” Diya said.

Embrace Opportunities Outside of Class

In addition to pursuing her studies, Diya held multiple leadership roles while at Brightpoint, including Treasurer of the Student Government Association and President of the Rotaract Club. She was also enrolled in a Clinical Medical Assistant Program through the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), which she joined to gain hands-on clinical experience and work closely with physicians. Diya was even asked to join a group of students in representing Brightpoint at the Virginia General Assembly.

“Representing the college at the General Assembly was honestly a bit nerve-wracking for me,” Diya said. “As someone who tends to be more introverted and shy, public speaking isn't my forte. However, despite the initial apprehension, it turned out to be a great opportunity and a valuable experience.”

Diya confronted her fears and spoke to General Assembly members like Delegate Lee Ware, who she later had the opportunity to shadow during a veto session.

Share What You Know

While Diya’s confidence grew from her leadership experiences, she also found her unexpected position as a student tutor to be vital in refining her skills. 

“The idea of being a tutor hadn't crossed my mind until my chemistry professor recognized my potential,” Diya said. “At that time, I wasn't even aware of the existence of the ARC, let alone the requirements for tutoring.”

As a STEM tutor for the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Diya enjoyed helping her peers understand course materials and achieve their goals. She then became an embedded tutor for CHEM111. This role allowed her to work with a professor in a chemistry lab, where she had to set up lab equipment, answer students’ questions, and assist students in lab and theory.

Learn from Experts

Diya believes this hands-on work experience was “instrumental” in securing her current internship at a cancer research center in Washington, D.C.

“As an undergraduate research intern at the Cancer Research Center at Children's National Research Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege of working in Dr. Mulvaney's lab,” Diya said. “The lab research focus is on examining cellular signaling pathways and their role in cancer development, with the ultimate aim of translating the findings into meaningful clinical advancements for patient care.”

Her passion for discovery has been amplified by both hands-on experiences and her exposure to the work of medical science professionals. 

“One of the highlights of my internship has been attending seminars led by physician scientists, where they share their latest findings and innovations in medicine,” Diya said. “Topics have ranged from cancer research to new developments in Alzheimer's disease, and beyond. It's been incredibly eye-opening to learn from experts in the field and to see the diverse array of research being conducted.”

Find Your Home

As Diya moves forward in her career, she will carry a fondness for her Brightpoint experiences, including the community she built.

“I will cherish the relationships I formed with my professors, mentors, and classmates,” Diya said. “Their guidance and support played a crucial role in my academic and personal growth.”

Only a few months prior to enrolling at Brightpoint, Diya and her family moved to the U.S. from India.  “It was a whirlwind experience, filled with uncertainties, and the decision was finalized only at the very last moment,” Diya said.

Amidst this whirlwind of change, it was at the college that Diya found something crucial: a home. “Brightpoint served as more than just an educational institution,” Diya said. “It was a home-away-from-home during my initial years in the U.S. It provided a nurturing environment that helped me transition and adjust to a new culture. It's where my journey in the U.S. began, and I will always be grateful for the memories and experiences I gained during my time there.”

Diya's surgeon-scientist vision is taking her to the University of Virginia in the fall of 2024, where she will start to pursue her bachelor’s degree.