Meet the 2025 Summer in South Asian fellows!
Silvia Abbasi
My name is Silvia Abbasi, and I am a sophomore at the University of Michigan, majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) with a minor in Data Science on the pre-medical track. I am passionate about neuroscience and mental health and hope to pursue a career in psychiatry. My research interests focus on neuroimaging, particularly studies on the default mode network. I am also a member of MHeal: The Initiative, where I work on grant writing and fundraising to support the development of a low-cost solution to neonatal mortality due to low birthweight in low-resource communities. Outside of academics, I love nature walks, traveling, and singing. I look forward to interning with a healthcare NGO this summer!
Annika Burman
I’m Annika and I will be interning with the Fish Welfare Initiative in Andhra Pradesh. This summer I will be working with local farms to improve fish farming practices from animal welfare and sustainability perspectives.
Lyndsey Del Castillo
Hello my name is Lyndsey Del Castillo. I study public policy at the Ford School with a concentration in grassroots organizing and social movements alongside a minor in community action and social change. In the future, I hope to work for smaller nonprofits and NGOs as I believe in the power of community to bring about societal change. I’m passionate about building community, deconstructing the individualistic mindset, and working with children. At my summer internship, I will be working with Salt Lake City Prayasam as a youth mentor and teaching artistic and english literacy skills. My priority going abroad is to learn from the community I am working with. I am not there to solve their issues but rather to learn and to bring the lessons learned back home to inform my future social justice advocacy.
Anika Gowda
My name is Anika Gowda, and I am a Junior studying Neuroscience and Creative Writing. I am interested in public health research, and preventative care. Through this fellowship, I will be traveling to rural areas surrounding Bangalore, and volunteering with the National Health Mission Immunization Program, focusing on care of pregnant and neonatal/infant care. Immunization is a huge factor in reducing infant and maternal mortality rate, but it is an incredibly complicated process to get the vaccines to those who need them in a huge country like India, with a high rural population and limited hospital/clinic access.
Natalie Hoisington
Hi! My name is Natalie Hoisington. I’m a freshman intending to major in international studies, focusing on security, norms, and cooperation. During a typical week, you can see me fanatically watching football or basketball, walking in the local parks, or mentoring students to read with the organization SOAR Detroit. With a passion for human rights, I hope to work with an organization that combats trafficking and other human rights abuses. Since I am a vegetarian, I am super excited to explore India’s diverse cuisine. I can’t wait for this amazing summer abroad!
Varshini Kashyap
My name is Varshini Kashyap, and I’m currently a sophomore on the pre-medical track. Outside of academics, I serve as a Director of the Columbus Clinic Host Group, a nonprofit that organizes an annual free clinic in Columbus, OH, providing essential healthcare services to hundreds of uninsured patients. I am also actively involved with Project MESA—an initiative focused on improving gynecological care in low-resource areas—and I conduct drug delivery research in the DYNAMED Lab. This summer, I plan to shadow physicians through a clinical rotation at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. Additionally, I will be working on rural health clinic initiatives in partnership with a hospital in Udupi. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity; I look forward to contributing meaningfully to community-centered efforts in global public health!
Anniya Maysun
Hi! My name is Anniya Maysun and I am a Junior studying Biology, Health, and Society, and International Studies (Global Environment and Health). This summer, I plan to volunteer with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement. This opportunity will expose me to an integrated model of Institution and Community based health services and clinical services in a resource limited setting. In the future, I aspire to work in Global Public Health, and specifically within epidemiology. At the University of Michigan, I am a part of Health Promotion at the University of Michigan (HPUM), Fleece and Thank You, and Alpha Tau Pi, a Biology Fraternity. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, painting, and trying out new workout classes!
Vishalakshi Meyyappan
I'm Vishalakshi Meyyappan, a freshman studying Data Science in the College of LSA. At U-M, I enjoy teaching younger children and am a part of GEECS' Outreach Committee, where we teach computer science to students in the local area. I'm also involved in UROP and WISE. I love to watch TV shows, play board games, and learn new Indian languages. This summer, I will intern as a data science intern at a software company in Bengaluru, India. I'm very excited to gain hands-on experience in this field and explore the city!
Hitanshi Vaidya
Hi there! My name is Hitanshi Vaidya. I am a junior architecture and art & design student aiming to learn more about Indian Classical and Modern architecture through my travel experience in India. I will be visiting architectural monuments and studying the transition into modern architecture with the many environmental and socio-economic factors involved.
Raised in the classical Indian arts of dance and music, I found a deep appreciation for the aesthetics and science behind our heritage, including architecture. My research is heavily rooted in introducing more depth to the narrative of Indian-Americans in the creative field, as well as our South-Asian culture. This fellowship acts as a catalyst for me to reconnect with my culture on my own journey, and elevate my inspirations in architecture.
Opal Vitharana
Hi! My name is Opal and I am from Seattle, Washington! Just over two years ago, I wrote an article about empowering women in India who struggle with mental illness and are victims of harmful menstrual taboos. This summer, I am working with Maher, an organization in Pune, India that works with the same women I wrote about two years ago.
Disha Sankholkar
Hi! I'm Disha Sankholkar and I'm studying Public Health Sciences. This summer, I'm volunteering with Jankalyan Blood Centre, an NGO that supplies blood to over 20 hospitals in Pune. I'm especially eager to support their mission to raise awareness about thalassemia, a common but preventable genetic disorder that causes low hemoglobin levels and affects many in India. I'm excited to make a meaningful contribution while engaging with and exploring Pune's communities!
