2018-2019 Avatar: Sasha Sairajeev

Hello everyone!

My name is Sasha Sairajeev and I am an avatar for the 2018-19 school year. Since my interview day back in March of 2017, I knew that if I were chosen to be a part of the Gatton Academy, being an avatar would be one of my many dream accomplishments for the next two years. I was inspired by the avatars that helped lug my overly packed suitcase all the way to the first floor and by the avatars who made one of the most stressful days of my life run as smoothly as possible. To be selected to be a part of such an impactful leadership team is a dream come true and I hope that one day, I can serve as an inspiration for the future Gattons to come. Unfortunately though, as move-in day prevails, I lack the upper body strength to truly fulfill the role of the avatars that once helped me carry my fridge into Room 154.

To tell you a little bit about myself, I am from the great capital city known as Frankfort, Kentucky. Frankfort is the kind of city that is typically grouped together with the big cities of the Commonwealth such as Lexington and Louisville but in reality, encompasses all the values of a small-town city. Growing up, I had always been interested in math and science, which I explored through extracurricular activities such as Governor’s Cup as well as being guided by my genuine curiosity. My eagerness to learn more led me to biology and medicine, which I fell in love with immediately. Alongside this, I had always loved public speaking and engaging in leadership-related activities. I knew that being a physician encompassed both of my passions and I began to pursue my dream throughout high school. That is how I stumbled across The Gatton Academy: a means to begin my long journey to become a doctor.

My many experiences at the Gatton Academy have taught me to embrace my individualism and truly discover who I am. I came into Gatton knowing that I wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. At this point in time, my career goals remain the same but my passion for medicine and blossomed and diversified thanks to the many opportunities I’ve received while being here. Over the summer, through my Gatton Research Internship Grant (RIG), I researched the effect of various blood pressure drugs on mice subjected to sleep fragmentation. To be able to perform surgical procedures and garner various advanced laboratory skills is a dream come true. Furthermore, I studied abroad in England through the Harlaxton program, where I received credit for English 200 while also making a lifetime-worth of memories with my best friends.

I look forward to representing the Class of 2019, my hometown of Frankfort, my family, and of course, the Gatton Academy to the best of my ability throughout my term of being an avatar. Senior year? Bring it on.

 

Sasha