Saad Akhtar '18
Hometown: Foxborough, Mass.
Major: Chemistry and Psychology interdepartmental major - Leadership in Medicine program
Activities: Head resident advisor in Fox; Campus Action; Muslim Student Association; Leadership in Medicine Student Advisory Committee; Red Cross Club; Project Sunshine
Favorite class: Medical Physics with Prof. Scott LaBrake. This class taught me the various applications of physics in the medical field, from lasers to diagnostic imaging and scopes to see inside the body. The application of physics principles to understand how medical instruments work is probably something I will not see much of in my medical education so this class was a great learning experience. Prof. LaBrake catered the course to our specific interests, and there was not a single day that I showed up to class and was not fully engaged with the fascinating material and guest lecturers.
What I'll miss most: The amazing professors! I have gotten to know so many professors through the classes I have taken, and have found them to be truly invested in their students’ success.
Advice for incoming students: Every year of college, you become a better student. So even when your courses become more challenging and the upper-level classes start to pile on, stay involved on campus and keep trying new things!
Life after Union: Albany Medical College Class of 2022
Vamshek Srinivasan '18
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Major: Chemistry and Psychology interdepartmental major - Leadership in Medicine program
Activities: First-year resident advisor; Badminton Club president; Campus Action vice president; Shakti treasurer; research on the value of in-home palliative care
Favorite class: Medicinal Chemistry with Prof. Joanne Kehlbeck. I loved organic chemistry, but applying those principles to understand drug syntheses and mechanisms was exhilarating. Prof. Kehlbeck really made the class enjoyable by tailoring the class to our interests and letting us explore various drugs we were already familiar with.
What I'll miss most: The diversity in my daily schedule. I’ll miss playing basketball, going to class, studying, going to a club event and hanging out with friends all in the same day.
Advice for incoming students: A 93 and a 99 show up the same on your transcript. Everyone has to study for classes, but do your best to take advantage of everything that Union has to offer.
Life after Union: Albany Medical College Class of 2022
