2018-2019 Avatar: Rithik Reddy

Hey guys! My name is Rithik Reddy. I was born in the small town of Glasgow, but have lived in Bowling Green since I was 5. Here in BG, I attended Bowling Green High School where I was involved in extracurricular activities such as Beta Club and Academic Team.

The first time I found out about Gatton was in the 7^th grade when I came to WKU’s campus for a Duke TIP ceremony. It just seemed so far away, so I just pushed the opportunity in the back of my mind. Finally, sophomore year came around, and my parents encouraged me to apply to Gatton. I applied, not even fully committed to going, and luckily got in. With some reluctance, I decided to go, and I can confidently say that it has been one of the best decisions of my academic career.

Since coming to Gatton, I’ve made so many great memories, and I’ve come to admire the closeness of the community. My interests have been further clarified and my passion for STEM has only grown. Also, I’ve realized that there are more opportunities than I can think of. One of these opportunities is research. I was able to partake in two different research projects since coming to Gatton: a chemistry project in the fall, and a mathematics project since the spring. The project in mathematics, where I am studying a mathematical model for the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, even extended into the summer with a RIG (Research Internship Grant)! Another opportunity is study abroad. I was lucky enough to be able to go to England for three weeks, where our class studied English literature and explored various cities.

All in all, my junior year was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store!

Rithik