Sneha Rajan Resume
EDUCATION
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
B.S. Biology, B.S. Neuroscience, Minor in Dance May 2019
GPA: 4.00/4.00
Honors: Patterson Scholarship: Full-ride scholarship awarded to National Merit Scholars.
Phi Beta Kappa: Liberal arts honor society. Top 10% of qualified upperclassmen invited to join.
Lewis Honors College: Selective multidisciplinary living-learning program.
EXPERIENCE
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Research Assistant August 2018–Present
Participated in a research project examining the contributions of Alzheimer’s pathology and cerebrovascular factors to cognitive aging. Used computerized neuroimaging techniques to study the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and executive functioning in older adults.
Macy’s Lexington, Kentucky
Associate December 2018–February 2019
Responsible for completing customer service activities such as Buy Online Pickup in Store transactions, ringing and processing return merchandise, handling non-congruent items and performing other assigned duties.
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Research Assistant August 2015–May 2018
Participated in a research project examining the effects of pdcd4 on tumor cell translation. Purified plasmid DNA using the midiprep method, measured protein concentrations using the BCA assay, performed tissue culture, transfected plasmid proteins into mammalian cells, measured luciferase activity, prepared western blots, and analyzed data using statistical methods.
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
Research Assistant June 2016–August 2016
Participated in a research project examining the mutations within the Keap1 and Nrf2 genes in metastatic tumors. Extracted DNA from bacterial cells, created plasmid constructs, created and ran gels for electrophoresis, created glycerol stocks for bacteria, transformed plasmid proteins into bacterial cells, transfected plasmid proteins into mammalian cells and performed sonication of genomic DNA.
Dakshina Dance Company Washington, D.C.
Intern June 2017–August 2017
Responsibilities included data collection, social media marketing, communication with media and arts industry individuals, assistance with event organization, and public relations tasks. Facilitated community outreach to better understand how art and culture can influence societal change.
Clinical Observation
• Internal Medicine with Dr. Anil Kakumanu December 2017
• Cardiology with Dr. D.P. Suresh March 2017
• Wound Care and Infectious Disease with Dr. Scott Sinner December 2016
• Surgical Oncology with Dr. Daniel Kenady April 2016
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Kentucky Karana August 2015–Present
Founder and Captain
Kentucky Karana is the University of Kentucky’s first Bollywood-fusion dance team dedicated to sharing South Asian arts and culture on campus. Served as the team choreographer and artistic director in addition to all leadership roles. We have grown from a campus club into a recognized competitive team on the national Bollywood dance circuit.
• Recruited 30 individual dancers over three years.
• Managed an annual budget of $8,000 last year.
o Secured $5,000 grant from the UK Student Government Association.
? An increase from the $1,500 multicultural grant received in 2016.
o Secured $2,250 diversity grant from the UK Martin Luther King Center.
• Karana has performed in four different states and been invited to perform in several more.
• Represented the team to various outside entities, including artistic consultants, university liaisons, and the University of Kentucky campus, both in-person and via social media.
Desi Dance Network September 2017–Present
Campus Brand Ambassador
Representative on the University of Kentucky campus for the national Desi Dance Network. Responsibilities include updating databases for nationwide South Asian events, coordinating visiting staff members, attending South Asian campus events, and creating resources to help new dance teams get accepted to selective competitions.
Phi Delta Epsilon, Kentucky Gamma October 2015–May 2018
Finance Committee Co-chair
Obtained grant money for the internationally recognized pre-medical fraternity and organized fundraisers.
University of Kentucky Indian Student Association October 2015–December 2016
Public Relations Chair
The Indian Student Association is dedicated to preserving and sharing Indian culture with the university and local community. Planned campus events and conducted national outreach for prospective performances.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Kentucky Children’s Hospital September 2016–January 2019
Founder of the Movement Workshop Program
Created a dance workshop program at Kentucky Children’s Hospital in order to enhance overall patient experiences and improve the healing process.
• Worked with approximately 50 children
o Siblings and other family members were also included to provide healthy coping mechanisms for stress.
o Program is accessible to all eligible patients regardless of physical abilities.
o Program targets ages 2-12 and is non-gender specific.
• Movement sessions incorporate Indian and Western dance techniques.
o Emphasis on hand gestures and facial expressions.
o Focus is on self-expression and storytelling elements.
o Promotes effective communication.
Volunteer
Assisted with various tasks in the Child Life Department of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Provided activities for patients, delivered resources for parents and family members, organized play areas, sanitized play equipment, and interacted with children of all ages.
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center June 2018–August 2018
Volunteer Researcher
Compiled information about a study that showcased how incorporating technology into a healthcare setting enables the enhanced delivery of primary care services at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. Conducted extensive internet research and literary analysis in addition to writing the formal research paper and project abstract.
William Wells Brown Elementary School January 2016–May 2016
Volunteer
Helped underprivileged students with weekly homework activities in order to improve classroom performance and facilitate a positive learning environment.
PERFORMANCES
East Meets West: A Journey of Artistic Development Through Dance December 2018
Conceptualized and choreographed a solo recital for the senior capstone project that is a part of the Lewis Honors Program. This lecture-demonstration performance was a fusion of Bharatanatyam (Classical Indian dance) and Western modern dance. The objective was to showcase artistic development as a dancer and choreographer.
National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) April 2018
Presented a solo piece that used Bharatanatyam and themes from Hindu mythology in a contemporary context, bringing a seemingly archaic art form into the 21st century to address women’s issues such as sexual harassment, bodily autonomy, and healthcare decisions. The focal point was the embodiment of female empowerment and representation of strength, confidence, and liberation of women.
University of Kentucky Student Choreography Showcase April 2017
Selected as one of eight choreographers invited to create and perform a piece for the University of Kentucky’s annual student dance showcase. Created a quartet that was a fusion of Indian classical dance and hip-hop.
Ritu: Seasons of Life September 2016
Invited to perform as the principal Bharatanatyam soloist in the dance production Ritu: Seasons of Life produced by the NrityArpana School of Performing Arts. Choreography for solo was original.
EDUCATION
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
B.S. Biology, B.S. Neuroscience, Minor in Dance May 2019
GPA: 4.00/4.00
Honors: Patterson Scholarship: Full-ride scholarship awarded to National Merit Scholars.
Phi Beta Kappa: Liberal arts honor society. Top 10% of qualified upperclassmen invited to join.
Lewis Honors College: Selective multidisciplinary living-learning program.
EXPERIENCE
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Research Assistant August 2018–Present
Participated in a research project examining the contributions of Alzheimer’s pathology and cerebrovascular factors to cognitive aging. Used computerized neuroimaging techniques to study the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and executive functioning in older adults.
Macy’s Lexington, Kentucky
Associate December 2018–February 2019
Responsible for completing customer service activities such as Buy Online Pickup in Store transactions, ringing and processing return merchandise, handling non-congruent items and performing other assigned duties.
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Research Assistant August 2015–May 2018
Participated in a research project examining the effects of pdcd4 on tumor cell translation. Purified plasmid DNA using the midiprep method, measured protein concentrations using the BCA assay, performed tissue culture, transfected plasmid proteins into mammalian cells, measured luciferase activity, prepared western blots, and analyzed data using statistical methods.
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
Research Assistant June 2016–August 2016
Participated in a research project examining the mutations within the Keap1 and Nrf2 genes in metastatic tumors. Extracted DNA from bacterial cells, created plasmid constructs, created and ran gels for electrophoresis, created glycerol stocks for bacteria, transformed plasmid proteins into bacterial cells, transfected plasmid proteins into mammalian cells and performed sonication of genomic DNA.
Dakshina Dance Company Washington, D.C.
Intern June 2017–August 2017
Responsibilities included data collection, social media marketing, communication with media and arts industry individuals, assistance with event organization, and public relations tasks. Facilitated community outreach to better understand how art and culture can influence societal change.
Clinical Observation
• Internal Medicine with Dr. Anil Kakumanu December 2017
• Cardiology with Dr. D.P. Suresh March 2017
• Wound Care and Infectious Disease with Dr. Scott Sinner December 2016
• Surgical Oncology with Dr. Daniel Kenady April 2016
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Kentucky Karana August 2015–Present
Founder and Captain
Kentucky Karana is the University of Kentucky’s first Bollywood-fusion dance team dedicated to sharing South Asian arts and culture on campus. Served as the team choreographer and artistic director in addition to all leadership roles. We have grown from a campus club into a recognized competitive team on the national Bollywood dance circuit.
• Recruited 30 individual dancers over three years.
• Managed an annual budget of $8,000 last year.
o Secured $5,000 grant from the UK Student Government Association.
? An increase from the $1,500 multicultural grant received in 2016.
o Secured $2,250 diversity grant from the UK Martin Luther King Center.
• Karana has performed in four different states and been invited to perform in several more.
• Represented the team to various outside entities, including artistic consultants, university liaisons, and the University of Kentucky campus, both in-person and via social media.
Desi Dance Network September 2017–Present
Campus Brand Ambassador
Representative on the University of Kentucky campus for the national Desi Dance Network. Responsibilities include updating databases for nationwide South Asian events, coordinating visiting staff members, attending South Asian campus events, and creating resources to help new dance teams get accepted to selective competitions.
Phi Delta Epsilon, Kentucky Gamma October 2015–May 2018
Finance Committee Co-chair
Obtained grant money for the internationally recognized pre-medical fraternity and organized fundraisers.
University of Kentucky Indian Student Association October 2015–December 2016
Public Relations Chair
The Indian Student Association is dedicated to preserving and sharing Indian culture with the university and local community. Planned campus events and conducted national outreach for prospective performances.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Kentucky Children’s Hospital September 2016–January 2019
Founder of the Movement Workshop Program
Created a dance workshop program at Kentucky Children’s Hospital in order to enhance overall patient experiences and improve the healing process.
• Worked with approximately 50 children
o Siblings and other family members were also included to provide healthy coping mechanisms for stress.
o Program is accessible to all eligible patients regardless of physical abilities.
o Program targets ages 2-12 and is non-gender specific.
• Movement sessions incorporate Indian and Western dance techniques.
o Emphasis on hand gestures and facial expressions.
o Focus is on self-expression and storytelling elements.
o Promotes effective communication.
Volunteer
Assisted with various tasks in the Child Life Department of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Provided activities for patients, delivered resources for parents and family members, organized play areas, sanitized play equipment, and interacted with children of all ages.
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center June 2018–August 2018
Volunteer Researcher
Compiled information about a study that showcased how incorporating technology into a healthcare setting enables the enhanced delivery of primary care services at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. Conducted extensive internet research and literary analysis in addition to writing the formal research paper and project abstract.
William Wells Brown Elementary School January 2016–May 2016
Volunteer
Helped underprivileged students with weekly homework activities in order to improve classroom performance and facilitate a positive learning environment.
PERFORMANCES
East Meets West: A Journey of Artistic Development Through Dance December 2018
Conceptualized and choreographed a solo recital for the senior capstone project that is a part of the Lewis Honors Program. This lecture-demonstration performance was a fusion of Bharatanatyam (Classical Indian dance) and Western modern dance. The objective was to showcase artistic development as a dancer and choreographer.
National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) April 2018
Presented a solo piece that used Bharatanatyam and themes from Hindu mythology in a contemporary context, bringing a seemingly archaic art form into the 21st century to address women’s issues such as sexual harassment, bodily autonomy, and healthcare decisions. The focal point was the embodiment of female empowerment and representation of strength, confidence, and liberation of women.
University of Kentucky Student Choreography Showcase April 2017
Selected as one of eight choreographers invited to create and perform a piece for the University of Kentucky’s annual student dance showcase. Created a quartet that was a fusion of Indian classical dance and hip-hop.
Ritu: Seasons of Life September 2016
Invited to perform as the principal Bharatanatyam soloist in the dance production Ritu: Seasons of Life produced by the NrityArpana School of Performing Arts. Choreography for solo was original.