An Aggie Star Inspires

In December, Anand Narayanan (center) gave Sugar Land students (left to right) Sharat Kalaga, Rohit Kalaga, Venkat Dikonda and Ajay Nair a tour of the lab where he conducts research.

In December, a group of 7th graders from Sartartia Middle School in Sugar Land came to campus to tour the lab of Dr. Arne Lekven, associate professor in the Department of Biology, where doctorate student and Aggie Star Anand Narayanan conducts his research.

The students were inspired by Narayanan’s work to combat cancer and birth defects after viewing his Aggie Star video (below), and they modified plans for their 2011 science fair project to study Zebrafish as a model for cancer research.

“Besides the area of science being fascinating, this project is very personal because of the loss of a friend's mother to cancer,” wrote the students to Narayanan in an e-mail dated early December.

If the students win with their project in the local science fair, they will advance to the regional level where they could be awarded scholarships.

Anand Narayanan (left) shows the students how to use the equipment in his lab.

“As I was explaining to these young minds about my research, I felt as if I am passing on the torch of knowledge to the next generation,” said Narayanan.

Not only did he inspire the students academically, Narayanan also shared the Aggie spirit with them through a stop at Kyle field and other locations on campus during their visit. The students were transformed, and at the end of the tour they said they wanted to attend Texas A&M and pursue degrees in science.

Narayanan is excited about the passion for science that he was able to inspire through the video. “I am amazed at the impact of the Aggie Star video. It not only gave me an opportunity to express my gratitude to Texas A&M, but it is helping me reach out to potential Aggies!”