High School:
Member of the basketball and volleyball teams in highschool...Named MVP and defensive player of the year in basketballwhere she played as a post player...Captain of her high schoolbasketball team
Personal:
Biology major...Co-author of published article...INtel ISEFfinalist...Iowa state science fair grand champion...APScholar...National History Day National finalist...Iowa state BrainBee champion...Wants to get a MD or PhD or go into medical researchafter graduation...Lists her hobbies as Indian Classical dance,yearbook, science fair...national history day, student council,volunteering, environmental club, basketball, volleyball, andtheatre...Her favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers...Lists herfavorite research project as working to provide treatment optionsfor people who suffer from bone erosion diseases, her research ledto her co-authoring a published scientific article...Daughter ofKishore and Padma...Has a sister named Manasa
Meghana Pagadala
Getting to know ...
Something about you most people would be surprised todiscover.
Although I really enjoy math and science, I really enjoyjournalism also. Working on our school yearbook and magazine wasone of my favorite extracurricular activities in high school. Ireally enjoy designing layouts and putting togetherpublications.
Do you sing in the shower and if so what do you usuallysing?
I do sing in the shower sometimes and if I am really happy Idance also. As far as what I sing, it can range from Justin Bieberto Maroon 5 to Adele. It depends on what song I am obsessed with atthat moment.
What was the chore you hated doing and you loved doingas a child?
I know I hated washing the dishes when I was a kid. Idon’t think there was really a chore that I loved doing. Butas a teenager, a chore that I enjoy doing is ironing. I love itwhen, after I iron my clothes, they are so perfect andneat.
Why do you love math and science?
I love math and science, because they make me thinklogically. I am sort of a perfectionist, and I enjoy the logicalsteps it takes in order to write a math proof or conduct a scienceexperiment. There is always a reason behind anything you do in mathor science. Also, another thing I really enjoy about math andscience is that they help us learn more about the mystery of theworld and provide solutions to catastrophic problems. Science hasalready provided some solutions to disease and environmentalproblems. It has the potential to make a huge difference in theworld. In addition, the thrill of discovering something new due toexperimentation is amazing, because I feel special knowing that Ihave a new piece of knowledge. Sharing this knowledge andcommunicating with other people to see how the newly discoveredresearch can be applied to global issues is even more satisfying.Science and math is an ever-changing field and after certaindiscoveries are made, more questions arise and more researchcontinues. I love how the fields of science and math growinfinitely and quench my curiosity.
I knew I loved sports when…I playedmy first game. My first sports game was a basketball game, which iswhy it is always closest to me compared to the other sports I haveplayed. But the competition and the adrenaline were so differentfrom anything else I had experienced in my life, which is why Ilove sports so much.
If you could choose, a past decade would you have likedto grow up in?
I would probably choose to grow up in the sixties, becausethat was the “space era” and I would have loved toexperience as a child the exciting news of exploration of territoryoutside Earth. Also, I think that the sixties is a decade ofsignificant events and great change, which would be veryinteresting to experience as a child.
The most difficult thing in life is learning….to say “no” and realize you cannot doeverything.
What is the most self-less thing you have ever done forsomeone?
Last summer, I went to India and volunteered at a MotherTeresa-affiliated institute for mentally handicapped children for amonth. I loved the experience so much and the children that I caredfor were amazing.
What would you like to learn about your familyhistory?
I would like to learn more about the mentality of myancestors. Since, they were from not only a different generation,but also a different country, I am curious to learn what theirviews and goals were for life. I also would like to just learn moreabout how their lives were as teenagers, because I think it isinteresting to compare my own lives with their teenager lives tofind similarities and differences.
What is the one family value you believe in themost?
The one family value I believe in the most is hard work. Myfamily cherishes that value the most and so do I.
What do you admire most about your parents?
I admire how selfless are. Sometimes even I cannot imaginehow much they give up for my sister and I. They are so willing toput aside their own commitments for us, which I reallyadmire.
What is the thing your teammates will love aboutyou?
I think they will love my crazy and fun attitude. I alwaystry to make practice and games exciting.
Define “Excellence” in your ownwords.
I believe excellence is putting the extra effort, ability,and thought to go beyond what is expected. It is achieving amazingthings by striving to be the best and conquering any obstacles thatcome in the way.
