Dr. Fred Pestello, President | St. Louis University
Dr. Fred Pestello, President | St. Louis University
Amogh Chariyamane, a senior majoring in health sciences at Doisy College of Health Sciences and a Medical Scholar, has expressed his commitment to healthcare and enhancing lives. At Saint Louis University, he has engaged in undergraduate research, gained clinical experience, and served the community.
Chariyamane's interest in medicine is driven by the intricate details of the human body. "I think it's beautiful how we can break down the human body into the smallest functional unit, like a cell or even an organelle, and see how it works," he stated. He finds it fascinating how small-scale biological factors can significantly affect patient health.
While he has not yet decided on a specific field of medicine to pursue, Chariyamane is considering internal medicine with potential fellowships in cardiology, gastroenterology (GI), or endocrinology.
As he prepares to return to campus for medical school classes, Chariyamane feels primarily excited. "It's a culmination of a dream that I've been working on since high school," he explained. The prospect of patient interaction during rotations is particularly appealing to him.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Chariyamane achieved recognition alongside teammate Jake Little at the Rice University 2023 Global Health Technologies Design Competition. Their presentation on a blood test for anemia earned them third place.
Reflecting on his research experiences at SLU, Chariyamane remarked on its rewarding nature. "So much of your journey in school goes toward learning knowledge, but in research you actually get to contribute to the knowledge," he said. He worked under Dr. Tim Randolph's mentorship and praised Randolph as an inspirational figure who balances teaching and research while supporting students individually.
For fellow students at SLU, known as Billikens, Chariyamane offers advice: "One thing I would definitely tell students is to pursue your passion, and when you find something you’re interested in be bold and take steps to make it possible."