Gates Scholar – Elect makes local headlines

  • August 18, 2011
Gates Scholar – Elect makes local headlines

Mukhta Natrajan makes local news

Mukhta Natrajan was described as "promising scholar" when she joined the Center of Undergraduate Research Opportunities program at the University of Georgia, a quality that must have stuck with her, as Mukhta was awarded one of 90 Gates Cambridge Scholarships earlier this year.

Already holding a bachelor's degree in genetics and a master's degree in environmental health science, Natrajan will now continue onto a Ph.D in Neuroscience.  She is interested both lab and research work and was drawn to Cambridge because of this.

Natrajan’s study at Cambridge is in partnership with the National Institute of Health, and after her first two years of studying at Cambridge, Natrajan will finish the remaining two years of her doctorate in Maryland, USA.

"Muktha's commitment to improving the lives of others is obvious, such as her research on neurodegenerative diseases and her public health work in Namibia," said David S. Williams, director of UGA's Honors Program. "Due to her interests in both neuroscience and the environment, Muktha is poised to make a profound impact on global health through her work."

She also completed an internship with the World Health Organization in Namibia, Africa; where she helped author an environmental health policy as part of her studies.  Her primary outlet for her philanthropy is now ‘Promote Africa’, an international student organization that provides grants for art and education projects in Africa.

The Gates Cambridge Trust looks forward to having Muktha join the scholarship community in Cambridge this October.

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