Distinct fellowship helps UTSA alumnus pursue a future in medicine

(July 12, 2019) -- A University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Top Scholar and Honors College graduate in Biology has been awarded a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship for the 2019-2020 academic year. Bharath Ram ’19 is one of just 50 students from across the country to receive the honor.

Each year, Phi Kappa Phi selects 50 students who have demonstrated the highest levels of academic achievement, research, service and leadership.

“Being selected for this award means that I am truly on the path I want to be on and symbolizes a determination to represent UTSA and all the people who have helped me graduate and achieve this award as I continue toward my career,” said Ram. 

The San Antonio native began his studies at UTSA in 2015 as part of a cohort of 10 students recruited for the UTSA Top Scholar program.

“The Top Scholar program greatly helped me by providing me with access to incomparable mentoring and opportunities that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally,” Ram said. “The program also provided me with a community of like-minded students who continue to inspire me and encourage me to achieve my goals.”

Ram excelled under the Top Scholar program and Honors College curriculum, which allows students to pursue signature experiences for academic credit and succeed in their major field of study. In fall 2017, Ram served as a world health policy research intern in Washington D.C. in the Archer Fellowship Program. He also found time to study abroad, spending his summers in Siena, Italy in 2016 and in Lima, Peru in 2018, on global health internships.

As Ram completed his academic career at UTSA, he was recognized with the highest honors at UTSA, the Jane Findling Award in 2018 and the Golden Feather Award in 2019. 

Having just graduated in May, Ram says he will miss the vibrant community at UTSA and the access to a wide variety of academic, leadership and service opportunities. He offers advice to current students.

“Look into every opportunity that comes your way and fearlessly pursue opportunities that seem even remotely interesting. You will find yourself growing and learning from events and activities you did not expect to,” Ram said.

Ram will use the award of $8,500 as he begins the next step in his academic journey this fall at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston

This is the second straight year that a UTSA student has earned the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. UTSA Top Scholar and Honors College Student Sara Dibrell ’18 was selected. She’s currently pursuing her Ph.D. in chemistry at California Institute of Technology.

— Emily Meier and Andrew Chapman

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