Nandini Manepalli

What does receiving this award/scholarship mean to you personally?

I’m incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship. Being a part of MCB has played a pivotal role in shaping my academic and research journey thus far, and I’m so honored to have received this recognition from the community!

What inspired you to pursue your field of study? Was there a defining moment that shaped your goals or direction? 

One of the biggest inspirations in my journey has been MCB 437, a course I took in my freshman year taught by Dr. Solange Duhamel. I had always been curious about the origins of life, but this course was my first real exposure to how biologists are piecing together life’s evolution. Through taking this class, I very quickly became fascinated with these research questions, which eventually led me to join the Masel lab and begin my research journey! 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a Ph.D., where I can delve even deeper into studying the evolution of molecular functions and phenomena.