Pradnya Jagdale’s journey from India to Millsaps has been marked by a lifelong interest in the human brain. With both of her parents working as medical doctors, a healthcare career has been on her radar since childhood. But her time at Millsaps turned her interest in neuroscience into a passion for Alzheimer’s disease research.
Jagdale is a senior neuro- and cognitive science major, and as she prepares to walk across the graduation stage, she carries with her an impressive resume of internships and research positions borne out of connections made at Millsaps.
At Millsaps, it’s often the little leaps that lead to big growth. Just one semester into her college career, she took a chance and asked to enroll in an advanced neuroscience course. Her professor recognized her dedication and passion and agreed—an early decision that played a pivotal role in shaping her future.
“Honestly, that was probably the moment that led me down the path to my internships,” she said. “Even though I might not have been prepared for the course on paper, he saw promise in me and that meant everything.”
In that class, Sensation and Perception, she conducted experiments where she read brain waves and tracked eye movement—all as a freshman.
Turning Interest into Passion
From that moment, Jagdale was determined to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience. That summer, she secured an internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she assisted in research with lab mice.
She didn’t just observe – she got to help. “Being a freshman and contributing to the research being conducted in the lab was incredible,” she said. “I would have never gotten an internship like that if it weren’t for Millsaps.”
The summer after her sophomore year, Jagdale tried something new, this time in Meridian, where she worked with the Montgomery Institute. She educated people about the importance of health screenings and addressing serious health issues.
“I worked on compiling data to help the organization understand how they could reach people who might not have access to healthcare,” she said.
But it was the internship during the summer after her junior year that truly solidified her career aspirations. She secured a highly competitive position working on Alzheimer’s disease research with Dr. Malú Tansey at the University of Florida.
“The work I did with Dr. Tansey was a turning point for me,” she said. “It was the perfect combination of my interests in neuroscience and research. The experience was so impactful that I knew this was the path I wanted to follow.”
Pradnya Jagdale (center) with Dr. Malú Tansey (left)
Improving Alzheimer’s Healthcare
After graduation, Jagdale will follow Dr. Tansey to the University of Indiana Medical School in Indianapolis, where she will pursue her Ph.D. in medical neuroscience.
“I hope my discoveries will help advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and ultimately contribute to finding better treatments for those affected.”
One of the things Jagdale has valued most about her Millsaps experience is the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses. While her focus has been on neuroscience, the liberal arts curriculum has allowed her to study chemistry, math and psychology.
“Millsaps has really taught me the importance of learning and curiosity, rather than just focusing on my GPA. If there was a class I wanted to take, I took it.” she said. “I’ve learned about neuroscience on a deep level, but I’ve also learned about lots of other subjects. This place helped me fall in love with learning.”
As she prepares for commencement, she looks to the future with excitement and confidence.
“Millsaps has helped me build the foundation I need to succeed in my field,” she said. “I’ve been given the tools, the knowledge and the connections to pursue my passion in Alzheimer’s research, and I know I’m prepared for what comes next.”
Jagdale’s success in college is just a taste of what’s to come. Broadly educated and expertly skilled, there’s no doubt she will impact healthcare in incredible ways.