Silpa Tadavarthy

2010 McGowan Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Interested to learn what our scholarship recipients have been up to?

We caught up with scholarship recipient, Silpa Tadavarthy, for a brief email interview. Keep reading for an update on Silpa’s life, her advice for this year’s applicants, and much more!

Silpa Tadavarthy under Temple University Banner

What are you currently doing?

I am a medical student at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Share with us how leadership plays a role in your life today.

During medical school, I have served as a tour guide, co-president of the Student Interest Group in Neurology, and in various mentorship positions. I also helped organize a Global Medical Brigades medical mission trip to Nicaragua and served on the executive board for TachyChordia, our school’s acapella group.

Do you have any advice for future applicants?

I would recommend current high school students to explore opportunities in their fields of interest as they are great avenues for finding mentors and fellow students with similar interests and career goals.

How did you display leadership qualities in high school that helped you get to where you are today?

During high school, I participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences. I also volunteered at my local hospital and science center and pursued shadowing opportunities in medicine. All of these opportunities together helped me learned more about the medical field and careers in medicine.

Thanks so much for catching up with us, Silpa!

Feeling inspired by Silpa? We sure are!

You could be recognized for your leadership too – all you have to do is apply for the next Michael J. McGowan Leadership Scholarship Award! For more information on current application requirements and deadlines visit www.albinism.org/leadership.