Caltech students, faculty, and academic leaders celebrated the generosity and impact of Torchbearers at a special luncheon on April 15. The event was hosted by President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, holder of the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of physics, and Katherine T. Faber, the Simon Ramo Professor of Materials Science, at their residence.
Viviana Gradinaru (BS ’05), the Lois and Victor Troendle Professor of Neuroscience and Biological Engineering and director of Caltech’s Center for Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, was the featured faculty speaker. She initially trained in physics, she said, but became fascinated by the brain. As a Caltech undergraduate, Gradinaru sought to understand how neurodegeneration and other loss of brain function affects our view of ourselves and each other. Today, she seeks to uncover the mechanisms that enable molecules to bypass the nearly impenetrable blood-brain barrier. This research could lead to the design of more effective and noninvasive therapeutics for neurological disorders.
Among the nine undergraduates who attended the event was Aditi Seetharaman, a senior majoring in bioengineering. Seetharaman spoke to Torchbearers about how her participation in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program and service as president of Venerable House have helped shape her into a researcher and a leader. This fall, she will pursue a graduate degree in biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.
“I’ve had a very rewarding four years at this school,” Seetharaman said. “Because of you and your fellow donors, other students are enjoying this opportunity as well. Thank you for making Caltech as great as it is.”