On a hot day in June, Aastha Banga showed up for the second day of her summer internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), where she is working as a research lab assistant and getting a first-hand look at the ins and outs of academic medical research.
This isn’t her first internship experience. Banga, who is majoring in biology and psychology with minors in health and exercise science and chemistry, spent summer 2022 in Meridian, Mississippi working at The Montgomery Institute. She learned about the internship opportunity from an email sent by Millsaps’ career center, and while the internship wasn’t directly related to her intended field of medicine, she figured the experience would be worthwhile.
Banga’s time in Meridian ended up further solidifying her chosen path and unveiled a different side of healthcare.
While she spent most of her time in Meridian last summer creating a database for the Institute’s Community Health Improvement Network, she also had the opportunity to work with lunch and learn events. Attendees included doctors and professionals, and the events provided free lunches to the community members. The community members were often from low-income, minority groups.
“The internship experience was immensely valuable because it opened doors to a whole different aspect of health care and a whole new community that I did not know existed in the way that it does,” Banga said.
“I did not know how many people actually struggle with finding affordable health care and what they do and are willing to sacrifice if they don’t have insurance. Being from a middle-class family, I knew health care was expensive, but I wasn’t sure just how painful the struggles were for some people until I was in Meridian last summer. It really opened my eyes to the face of health care that is almost never advertised or is given the amount of attention that it deserves.”
The experience ignited more passion inside her to pursue the path to medical school and help individuals who truly need help.
Her internships are just one of many formative experiences Banga has had since coming to Millsaps.
Banga, who is from Laurel, Mississippi, knew about the college from her aunts and uncles, who were alumni themselves. However, it was the Millsaps community that convinced her to make Millsaps the next step on her path to medical school.
“I really enjoyed the small-community style environment,” Banga said.
“I first stepped foot on this campus during my campus tour, and I knew then I would find my place and myself here. When I got a personal call from President Pearigen, I knew I had to come here and find out for myself what this loving place is all about.”
She found it easy to find her place in the Millsaps community, including taking on several leadership roles. Banga is a lab assistant for both the inorganic chemistry lab and the neuroscience lab. She helped international students feel at home as a floating buddy with the Millsaps International Buddy System (MIBS), and she has taken on leadership roles in the Millsaps Pathways Program, Beta Beta Beta Honor Society and the South Asian Cultural Association (SACA). In addition, she worked as a resident assistant, consultant with the Center for Academic Success and Excellence (CASE), and presidential ambassador.
Banga has also been able to form relationships with Millsaps faculty and staff. So far, her favorite classes have been the health & fitness and exercise physiology classes taught by Dr. Kristina Rehm, professor of biology.
“There is something about the content of her classes and the way she teaches that make me excited about learning,” Banga said.
Banga has also enjoyed the four semesters of courses she’s taken with Dr. Cory Toyota, associate professor of organic chemistry. She’s come to view Toyota as a mentor, in both the classroom and life.
“I have learned so much about chemistry, and life in general from him,” Banga said. “I know I can count on him to support me and cheer me on when I deserve it, and be honest and direct with me when I need it.”
Toyota has observed Banga’s enthusiasm to take advantage of all Millsaps has to offer.
“Aastha takes advantage of every opportunity at Millsaps, whether it’s seeking internships or finding ways to encourage her peers,” Toyota said.
While Banga continues her path to medical school at Millsaps, she’s grateful for how she has grown since coming to the college.
“I have learned so much about myself since I came to Millsaps, and my experiences and relationships inspire me to keep growing every day.”