“When I first got to Hopkins, I was almost overwhelmed by the wide array of groups, opportunities, and other experiences available to me,” says Arya Satish. “It took some time just for the possibilities to settle in, and once they did, I wanted to get myself out there and try as much as I could handle. I tried taking new classes in various academic areas that excited me, joining different clubs and organizations, and striking up conversations with students I had just met. Ultimately, I not only discovered what I enjoy doing but also was able to make meaningful connections along the way.”
Arya has a demonstrated gift for productive collaboration, working with his fraternity brothers as Risk Manager for Phi Delta Theta; with administrators and graduate students in his role as a research assistant for the Idea Initiative, the Chen Lab, and the BEEHIVE Study at the School of Public Health; and with prospective students as a tour guide for the Blue Key Society. As his friend and nominator, Nicole, puts it, “Arya inspires both compassion and tenacity in the people around him taking the phrase ‘Be the change you want to see’ literally. Arya’s flexibility and zeal for completing a project, regardless of who he works with, illustrates his desire to work well with others.”
Arya’s commitment to communal success has influenced his leadership role within Phi Delta Theta, organizing events to raise money for non-profit organizations such as LiveLikeLou, which promotes ALS research, patient care, and awareness. In addition, Arya serves as a member of the executive board of the Medical Ethics Discussion Panel and on the project management committee for Agara Bio, a student-run biology lab space open to all members of the Hopkins community.
“Being able to build valuable, sincere relationships with my friends, research mentors, professors, and other people at this university has allowed me to truly grow as a person,” Arya says. “I have been able to get involved with public health research, molecular biology research, interest clubs, a fraternity, and many other organizations that have allowed me to achieve my goals and build a sense of self. The most amazing aspect of this has been being able to work with so many of my peers who are just as passionate about making an impact and using our passion for learning to do so.”
Arya’s nominator emphasized his, “dedication to building a better, safer, and happier community at Hopkins and in the world,” and in the future, Arya plans to practice medicine as a physician while working to develop public health research and policy. “Through studying Public Health and Molecular & Cellular Biology on the pre-med track at Hopkins,” he says, “I am currently working towards a career in medicine rooted in fundamental biology as well as a broader understanding of healthcare and health systems.”
Arya’s sense of unity and compassion are essential to his success and qualities certain to serve him well going forward. “Collaboration is the pursuit of working with the people around you—be it your peers, professors, colleagues, bosses, or anyone else—to build trusting relationships and achieve collective success,” Arya says. “You don’t have to go at everything alone, and recognizing that there are so many people around you who can support you on your journey is such an immense source of strength.”
