Ananya Parekh

Global Challenge: Preventive Medicine

Growing up in the heart of New York City, Ananya developed a keen interest in the applied sciences, a passion ignited by early exposure to lab research and eye-opening global field visits to different countries. These experiences motivated her to pursue a major in Biomolecular Science, a field she chose for its vast and impactful array of applications within the clinical and biotechnology industries.

Guided by a commitment to community and global perspective, Ananya balances her academic drive with a variety of personal interests; when she isn't in the lab, she can be found traveling, volunteering at an urban food garden, or showcasing her musical talents by playing three instruments.

At NYU and beyond, Ananya has immersed herself in action-focused research and academic leadership, developing a robust technical skill set that spans computational modeling and advanced wet-lab applications. As a research assistant and intern across multiple laboratories, she has engineered technical frameworks and machine learning workflows for automated medical devices, analyzed physiological systems using MATLAB, and mastered advanced laboratory techniques like cell culturing and flow cytometry, culminating in co-authoring scientific posters and presenting her work at national and international conferences.

She also leverages her expertise to support peers as a teaching assistant, where she supervises experiments and manages lab logistics. Following graduation, Ananya plans to work in biotechnology R&D before pursuing dental school, with the professional growth goal of learning how to adapt and cater newly-developed scientific innovations to the unique needs of diverse cultures and communities worldwide.

Ananya is eager to join the GLASS program to address UN Sustainable Development Goals #3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and #10 (Reduced Inequalities) by developing cost-effective, non-invasive screening technologies for the early detection of chronic conditions. Having witnessed the severe impact of delayed diagnoses and unequal access to diagnostic tools through her clinical and laboratory research, she wants to pivot healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention at a global systems level.

She is particularly looking forward to utilizing the program's global competency and professional development windows to study scalable innovations, such as AI-driven screenings and advanced diagnostics. Ultimately, Ananya hopes to leverage GLASS to bridge the gap between engineering and community engagement, preparing her to design equitable, culturally adapted health technologies that serve vulnerable populations worldwide.