April 22, 2025

by Erica Levi Zelinger

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Samhita Nanduri vividly remembers the moment in February 2023 when she made a life-altering decision: despite the uncertainty surrounding her Fulbright US Student Program application, the Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM) student would pursue her professional aspirations of conducting clinical research in Zambia. The application process had been rigorous — months of working with Pennoni Honors College’s Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs (UREP) crafting a personal statement and grant proposal, all while balancing the demands of medical school. But when she was notified that she had been selected as an alternate, Samhita didn’t let the news define her.

Instead, she took the essence of what Fulbright represented to her — a year of immersive global health work, community-building in an international setting, personal and professional growth — and proactively created her own experience. In Lusaka, Zambia, Samhita embarked on a self-funded journey that fulfilled every goal she had set in her Fulbright application, proving that the spirit of the Fulbright program can be embraced in various ways.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, California, Samhita has always been deeply interested in understanding people and their unique perspectives. This curiosity led her to pursue a dual major in neuroscience and health humanities at University of Southern California, followed by a master’s degree in global medicine. Her academic journey has been driven by a desire to learn about diverse communities and how to provide healthcare in different cultural and resource settings.

When Samhita came East for med school, she was drawn to opportunities that would allow her to explore global health further. It was during her first year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, that she received an email from UREP about the Fulbright program — a chance to engage in global health research and contribute to communities abroad. Intrigued, she attended an information session with UREP associate director Leah Gates and quickly realized that this was an opportunity worth pursuing.

The Fulbright application process was rigorous. It required not only a personal statement but also a detailed grant proposal. Most daunting about any kind of global opportunity, Samhita acknowledges, is that much of the onus is on the student to find an opportunity. Through cold calls and emails, Samhita reached out to Dr. Deanna Saylor, a neurology residency program director at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Dr. Saylor agreed to work with Samhita on her grant proposal, together developing a research project focused on the relationship between stroke patients and their caregivers in Zambia, a region with underrepresented data in the medical literature.

Despite her hard work, when April arrived, Samhita learned that she had been selected as an alternate for the Fulbright scholarship, leaving her uncertain about her future. However, instead of waiting for a final decision, she took matters into her own hands. By February, she had already decided that regardless of the outcome, she would pursue her research in Zambia. “I realized that this opportunity was not going to hinge upon receiving this grant,” Samhita reflects.

In August 2023, Samhita embarked on a nine-month journey to Lusaka, where she conducted her research and immersed herself in the local culture. Although she funded the trip out of her own pocket, the experience was incredibly enriching. She not only completed her research but also built strong relationships with the local community and medical team. “I wanted to make sure that I was immersing myself in the culture and making friends, both in and outside of the hospital,” she says.

Reflecting on her journey, Samhita emphasizes the importance of perseverance and self-determination. Although she did not receive the Fulbright scholarship, she successfully created a similar experience. The personal statement she wrote for the application became a roadmap for her time in Zambia, guiding her actions and goals.

“DUCOM is increasingly encouraging students to pursue an Educational Development and Growth Experience year like this to take on independent research, clinical or service projects,” says UREP Associate Director Leah Gates. “Fulbright is one way to make that happen, but as Samhita has proven, it's not the only way, and I hope more students will follow her example of seeking out these kinds of impactful collaborations.”

Over a year later, Samhita has been able to see the fruits of her experience. “I am excited to see our work shared in conferences and the literature,” she says. “I’m also so grateful to have returned to Lusaka for a clinical rotation in my final year of medical school, where I saw progress in my clinical skills and confidence in working with a community I had previously developed a bond with.”

Samhita’s experience in Zambia fundamentally reshaped her perspective on medicine and her future career. She matched at Mass General Brigham/Harvard for her residency, a decision motivated by her interest in global health. “My goal to pursue global neurology in residency was a driving factor in choosing a program with community outreach, diverse patients and international opportunities.”