A Warm Welcome to Incoming Students from India
As the Fall semester begins, the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute is excite to welcome a new cohort of international students from India who are ready to make their mark at Johns Hopkins. The journey of international students is unique—filled with excitement, challenges, and the promise of new beginnings. These students bring diverse perspectives, rich cultural backgrounds, and a drive to excel, making our Hopkins community even more vibrant and inclusive. In this feature, we spotlight four remarkable incoming students whose stories and ambitions highlight what it means to be a global scholar at Hopkins.
Simran Kaur Dang
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
School: Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
What are you most excited about at Hopkins?
As I begin my journey at Johns Hopkins, I look forward to building strong foundations and becoming a more well-rounded person. This involves focusing on my professional development, for example by fine tuning my writing skills, and joining various clubs. Some organizations I hope to join include the South Asian Club or the Applying Science For Kids Club (ASK). I would also love to meet new people so I can become more open-minded and adaptable. I see the next year as a time to lay the groundwork for a fulfilling college experience and Hopkins is the perfect place for this journey.
Why Hopkins?
What motivated me to choose Johns Hopkins is my desire to become the best version of myself, both academically and personally. The culture at Hopkins, where the best of the best come together to collaborate and push boundaries, aligns perfectly with my ambition. The university’s interdisciplinary approach allows me to explore a blend of research, medicine, and entrepreneurship, without being confined to a single path. For instance, I’m excited about the possibility of combining my interest in reproductive health research with entrepreneurial projects, such as developing innovative healthcare solutions. This unique mix aligns with my vision of a future where I can make a meaningful impact in multiple fields, not just one.
Anything from your background you’d like to share?
My paternal grandmother defied gender norms by playing hockey and earning a Master’s degree. My mom delayed starting a family to complete her Ph.D., breaking traditional expectations. Inspired by the strength of the Sikh women in my family, I’ve always aspired to honor their legacy. Their guidance in financial independence and support for my STEM dreams have shaped who I am today.
Harish Balasubramanian
Major: Masters in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
School: Whiting School of Engineering
What are you most excited about at Hopkins?
I’m really excited about the BME program and eager to learn from my advisors and engage in meaningful research during my time here.
Why Hopkins?
Hopkins was the best fit for me because of its focus on medical technology innovation. Coming from India, I believe Hopkins will equip me with the right skills and qualities to succeed in the medical technology sector, improve medical systems in India, and help many people.
Anything from your background you’d like to share?
I’m a Carnatic singer and rock guitarist and would love to connect with the music community at Hopkins and in Baltimore during my free time.
Sneha A S
Major: MS Biotechnology
School: Advanced Academic Programs, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences
What are you most excited about at Hopkins?
I am looking forward to interacting with the faculty at Hopkins who have made groundbreaking contributions to the field of medical research and soaking up as much knowledge as possible from them. Additionally, meeting peers from different parts of the world and getting acquainted with their diverse backgrounds and culture.
Why Hopkins?
I realized that being a student at Hopkins would put me at the forefront of the greatest innovations in biomedicine the world is going to witness and that is what motivated me to choose to be here. This aligns with my career goal, that is; to be able to make a contribution to the way the disease cancer is treated in whatever capacity possible.
Mariam Husain
Major: Biomedical Engineering (BME)
School: Whiting School of Engineering
What are you most excited about at Hopkins?
I’m most looking forward to the classes on human health and physiology, particularly those taught by Dr. Eileen Haase. I’m also eager to engage in research at the intersection of BME and computational science, especially in neuroengineering, biomedical data science, and computational medicine. I’m excited about exploring how medical imaging can be refined to become more accurate and bias-free, contributing to more equitable healthcare solutions.
Why Hopkins?
Learning about the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) developed by Hopkins researchers was deeply inspirational. The robot’s success in performing precise and delicate procedures like intestinal anastomosis highlighted the groundbreaking work being done at Hopkins, which drew me to the university. My work with BeMyEyes, connecting visually impaired individuals with volunteers, and my experience witnessing the life-changing impact of a cochlear implant have shown me the transformative power of technology in medicine.
Anything from your background you’d like to share?
My experience with Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) classes showed me the power of diversity in education. Since 2019, I’ve volunteered by teaching math and science to homeless children and offering vocational training to women with learning disabilities. This work has deepened my belief that education is key to breaking cycles of poverty. Witnessing healthcare disparities has inspired me to pursue a strong educational foundation and become a catalyst for change. During my internship with the Public Health Foundation of India, I saw how a simple amulet with a microchip can store a child’s vaccination history, reducing healthcare barriers in rural areas. This has fueled my ambition to merge human insight with technological innovation.
Let’s celebrate their arrival and look forward to the incredible contributions they will make to our university and beyond. Welcome to Hopkins!