APIDA Student Spotlight: Srujitha Marupuru

In honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month, we are highlighting some of our amazing APIDA Pharmacy students.

Name: Srujitha Marupuru 

Degree: PharmD, MS, PhD 

Graduation year: May 2022

Q: What inspired you to pursue a degree at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy? 

Pharmacy in general as a profession always intrigued me and I found it to be very diverse whereby I could make a direct impact on patient care. Joining the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy especially is a very rewarding experience for me, where scientific research and innovation are always the heart and the spirit of the college. There is a range of rigorous educational and training programs to learn here and grow as a scientist in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. I was particularly inspired by the reputation and the high-quality impactful research that is being conducted at the Health and Pharmaceutical Outcomes department at the Coit College of Pharmacy.

Q: Who are some of the role models that inspire you - at the college or in general? 

Of course, there are so many people I am thankful for, who have immensely inspired me to be where I am now. To begin with, my dad being a healthcare professional, always taught me to help people and love science. He showed me the power of hard work, and how to face and overcome challenges on a day-to-day basis. My special thanks to my advisor Dr. Terri Warholak, who has always supported me and believed in my potential, right from my early days here at the college. She is a role model to me, who provided a personalized approach to research training and also a balanced outlook towards life.

Q: Have you experienced any challenges in school? How did you overcome them? 

Moving across the globe from Asia to North America comes with some challenges and struggles. It has been a complete adaptation to a new lifestyle and a new social and cultural environment. The education system is also very different from my home country and learning styles vary drastically. I was able to easily catch up and fit myself into this new environment thanks to the orientation I received from the University and departmental side. A lot of resources were provided to international students like me regarding accommodation, financial aid, and various student activities and clubs. Work-life balance in graduate college is something I have learned throughout the process and from my personal experiences meeting a diverse group of people.

Q: Tell me about your family and community growing up. 

I belong to an Asian family where I was born in India but bought up in Mauritius, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean near South Africa. I completed my education, until my high school certificate in Mauritius and moved back to India for completing my Doctor of Pharmacy. Its always been a constant struggle to move from one country to another and my family has been super supportive and always ensured I stay close to my traditional roots and values.

Q: What does being part of the APIDA community mean to you? 

APIDA community has always been welcoming to students and individuals from various communities and backgrounds. I feel confident and strong being part of such an organization where we can engender a sense of pride in where we’re from.

Q: Has being APIDA influenced the way you approach your studies or research? 

I feel my cultural background and heritage have always taught me to be a bold woman who can achieve anything if I can dream. Resilience, inclusiveness, and adaptation have been core characteristics of my heritage that led me to come this far, and I hope to reach higher heights and make my ancestors proud. Responsibility and an attitude to pay back to society and humankind is something I have been taught from childhood and it’s the motto behind my research activities.

Q: What are your goals after graduation? 

I plan to graduate from my Ph.D. program in May 2022 and gain real-world experience by joining the pharmaceutical industry. I hope with my previous two summer internships, I have completed at the leading companies: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Merck I would land into an organization whereby I can pursue my passion and also continue my learning journey.

Story by: Gracie Lordi