When science meets leadership
With a sparkle in her eye and excitement in her voice, Prashanthi Baskaran is eager to talk about science, her research and the uOttawa mentors who provide guidance and encouragement in her many pursuits.
Prashanthi is a first-year biochemistry student with a minor in business who already has many hours of lab experience that has garnered her numerous science competition awards in the last few years. Her thorough, well-presented and innovative research caught the attention of Professor Leonard Kleine during a regional science fair. After chatting about Prashanthi's future plans, which included medicine or research, he convinced her to apply to the University of Ottawa biochemistry program because it opened doors to either option.
It was Prashanthi's research project based on atherosclerosis, a form of cardiovascular disease, that got her recognized with a Canada's Top 20 under 20 Award — a national awards program that honours Canadians who have demonstrated a significant level of achievement, innovation and leadership. "I was thrilled to be a recipient of a Top 20 under 20," explains Prashanthi. "Being awarded not only on my academic merit, but on leadership and community involvement as well, means a great deal to me."
"I think one of the keys to good science is the ability to communicate what you are doing and what the results entail. And that's where leadership comes in," reveals Prashanthi. "The social aspect of leadership is about getting your ideas across." As for community involvement, that's an area heavily influenced by her family. "My parents taught me to be grateful for the opportunities afforded me and to do my part to give back. It influences everything I do, even my science."
By François Rochon
Published: July 2009