-Department of English-
Health Humanities Undergraduate Research
Meet The Researchers
Kayla Valentine
Kayla Valentine is a current Senior at the University of Pittsburgh, and will be graduating in the spring of 2021 with degrees in English literature and public & professional writing with a scientific concentration, as well as a studio arts minor. Her research interests include humanitarian studies, medicine, the patient narrative, and the language of medicine.
In her free time, Kayla enjoys writing, reading science fiction and mystery novels, mothering a tortoise and crested gecko, and spending time with her loved ones.
Maya Albanowski
Maya Albanowski is a 2022 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in microbiology and BPhil fiction writing. Her research interests include narrative medicine, medical history, and gender and women's studies. Maya will be attending University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine after graduation.
In her free time, Maya enjoys writing and reading fiction, listening to music, spending time with her friends, and playing with her two dogs and her cat.
Abigail Buckley
Abigail Buckley is graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in December 2020 with a Biological Sciences major, Chemistry and English Literature minors, and the Conceptual Foundations in Medicine Certificate. She will be attending medical school next fall.
Her research interests include translational sciences research, narrative medicine, and minority and women's historical studies.
In her free time, Abby enjoys reading, knitting, doing yoga, hanging out with her family, and having dance parties.
Anjalika Chalamgari
Anjalika Chalamgari is a current sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in History and Philosophy of Science with minors in Neuroscience, Chemistry, and Creative Writing. In addition to her work with Professor Satyavolu, Anjalika is a student leader for Pitt's Resident Student Association and conducts psychological oncology research in Dr. Jennifer Steel's lab. She is also an avid fencer and enjoys watching old movies!
Anjalika hopes to attend medical school after graduating.
Devesh Malik
Devesh Malik is an honors student at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Biological Sciences with minors in Sociology and Chemistry and a Certificate in the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. Devesh is a student ambassador for the university through the Blue & Gold Society, where he served as the Vice President of Internal Affairs for the 2020-2021 academic year. He also conducts clinical research at UPMC Children's Hospital studying the relationship between genetics and pediatric acute encephalitis with Dr. Kate Kernan.
Devesh enjoys reading sci-fi novels, playing the guitar, and listening to music or interesting podcasts in his free time. He plans to graduate from Pitt in December 2021, and hopes to attend medical school the following year.
Project: The Evolution of the Physician-Patient Relationship
Siddhi Shockey
Siddhi Shockey graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the Spring of 2021. She received her Bachelors degree in English Writing with a concentration in Nonfiction along with a minor in Chemistry and certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. Currently, she is working as a Health Care Assistant at Planned Parenthood while she applies to medical school.
In her free time, Siddhi likes to read, knit, crochet, and bike around Pittsburgh while listening to her favorite podcast, You're Wrong About.
Project: Health Inequities: Gender, Race, and Incarceration in the U.S.
Aliana Rao
Aliana Rao is a current senior at the University of Pittsburgh graduating in spring of 2022 with an honors degree in neuroscience with minors in religious studies and chemistry. Her research interests include the history and intersectionality of medicine and religion. Aliana hopes to attend medical school after graduation.
In her free time, Aliana enjoys reading, working out and using her Peloton, and baking, and spending time with her friends.
Rachel Bittner
Rachel Bittner is a current junior at the University of Pittsburgh studying Neuroscience and English Literature with minors in Chemistry and Creative Writing. Her fellowship explored the various psychoanalytic theories of the literary fairy tale and presented an atlas of works describing their relevance within psychotherapy. Rachel hopes to attend medical school after graduation.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys needle felting, reading (namely Victorian literature and contemporary fantasy), writing, and taking care of her numerous plant babies.
Anju Zhang
Anju Zhang is a first year pre-pharmacy student at the University of Pittsburgh. His research hopes to document and preserve the changing views on trans history in the western world., as well as increase available resources to the LGBT+ community.
Anju enjoys listening to music, working out, and cooking and eating copious amounts of food in his free time.
Project: The History of Trans Medicine
Harmony Arungwa
Harmony Arungwa is a current Junior at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a English Writing major, Chemistry and French minors, and the Conceptual Foundations in Medicine Certificate. Her research interests include interdisciplinary studies, medical language, and healthcare bias.
In her free time, Harmony enjoys fiction writing, reading, exercise, and creating artwork.
She hopes to attend medical school after graduation in 2024.
Sachit Anand
Sachit Anand is an incoming honors sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing Neuroscience and Computer Science majors on the pre-med track. He is a Brackenridge Fellowship recipient, New Student Ambassador, Lambda Sigma and Phi Eta Sigma member, and a graduate of Panther Leadership Academy. He has always been fascinated by the intricacies of the brain, especially its intelligence, and spends hours reading anatomy texts and memoirs of neurosurgeons. He is captivated by the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing and the different ways that these technologies are assisting in transforming our understanding of human brain functions. His research explored the ethical constraints behind using Artificial Intelligence solutions in healthcare.
Sachit enjoys listening to music, jogging, and playing piano and guitar in his free time. He also likes to play soccer and tennis and enjoys watching Real Madrid, and Roger Federer matches. He likes programming Python and Java, evaluating data, analyzing information, and applying analytical and mathematical tools.
Project: Ethical Challenges to Positioning Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare