Rhea Doshi

Joining this program has been one of the best choices I've made in high school. I discovered strengths I didn't know I had and connected with students just as passionate about making an impact. What makes the program truly unique is how we're seen as emerging leaders rather than just students. Our mentors aren't there to direct us but to guide us in developing and turning our ideas into action. They encourage us to think big, set meaningful goals, and tackle real-world challenges, all while building a supportive community of like-minded peers. I've grown much more confident in speaking up and taking the lead, which has helped me both academically and personally. The program empowers us to make a difference now and prepares us for the future with invaluable skills in collaboration, resilience, and initiative.

Rhea Doshi is a high school student from Connecticut with a passion for blending science and business to create innovative solutions in healthcare. Rhea has been conducting research and participating in science fairs over the past few years, where she has worked on projects ranging from designing a filter to remove microplastics from drinking water to using UVC light and activated charcoal to destroy mycotoxins. Rhea also enjoys coding and has learned 13 programming languages.

Beyond STEM, Rhea is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and enjoys participating in National History Day (NHD), where she has explored the history of scientific innovations like CRISPR and frequency hopping. To relax, Rhea enjoys photography, reading, origami, and soccer. Read on to learn more about Rhea’s research projects, interests outside of STEM, and aspirations to combine her love for business and biomedicine!

Meet Rhea

How did you initially become interested in STEM, and what subjects are you most interested in?

My interest in STEM actually started with art. My dad had this art piece of the Fibonacci circle, and it opened my eyes to the connection between art, science, and math. That moment sparked my curiosity and led me to explore the intersection of art and science more deeply. From there, I fell in love with science and its ability to explain the beauty of the world around us.

Now, I’m particularly passionate about genetics, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, and business. Ever since I was younger, I’ve been drawn to the entrepreneurial side of things, which makes combining biomedicine and business especially exciting for me. I love exploring how these fields intersect and finding innovative ways to bring scientific advancements into real-world applications.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

To explore my interests in business, I’m involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), but my main extracurricular activity is participating in science fairs. I’ve always enjoyed researching and experimenting with different projects, especially in areas like genetics. In 8th grade, I created a filter made from coconut fibers and activated charcoal to separate microplastics from drinking water. Then, last year, I worked on a project about mycotoxins, harmful secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi that can cause liver cancer and kidney damage. I developed a system using UVC light and activated charcoal to destroy these toxins.

In addition to science fairs, I also love coding. I’ve learned 13 coding languages so far, and I enjoy exploring new ones depending on the projects I’m working on. Coding has been an amazing tool for bringing my ideas to life.

I’ve also participated in various National History Day projects, which has been a great way to blend my interest in history with science. For example, I worked on a project on Hedy Lamarr and her development of frequency hopping, which laid the foundation for modern Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. I’ve also worked on a project focused on the history of CRISPR. This one was definitely my favorite—it was fascinating to dive into such a transformative scientific breakthrough.

What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

I have a lot of hobbies that I love. Photography is a big passion of mine—it’s something I’ve enjoyed for years. I also really like hands-on activities like origami and music, which let me express my creativity in different ways. Recently, I’ve been getting into sports like soccer with my friends and even trying out golf, which has been a lot of fun. When I’m not doing that, I spend a lot of time reading and coding, which are two other things I really enjoy. Recently, I’ve been listening to Atomic Habits, and I’ve found it incredibly helpful. It’s full of practical advice that’s easy to apply to everyday life.

Summer Experience

What was your favorite part about the fellowship?

The most impactful part was definitely getting to connect with like-minded peers who share similar interests and learning from mentors who are so passionate about making a difference in STEM. The amount I learned over the summer was truly mind-blowing. The open exchange of ideas and collaboration with others was incredibly inspiring and empowering, and I know it’s something that will help me as I move forward.

Did you have a favorite talk or speaker from the summer?

Isabella’s talk was definitely my favorite. Her story was so inspiring, especially how she created her own podcast. That’s actually something I’ve been thinking about doing myself, and after hearing her, I’ve even started listening to her podcast—it’s amazing. Her journey of starting the podcast and putting herself out there really resonated with me. It’s made me want to explore creating something similar, though I’m still figuring out what topic I’d focus on. I also loved her message about just taking the first step—it’s been really motivating for me.

Also, I found Jenny’s talk about gaming really inspirational. She shared her journey, including the setbacks she faced, and it was incredible to hear how she overcame them and eventually succeeeded. I even downloaded her running game—it’s so much fun! Hearing her story reminded me that no matter how many challenges you face, hard work will get you to where you want to be.

What were some of the lessons you learned from the summer?

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of going all in—whether it’s asking questions, networking, sharing ideas, or stepping out of your comfort zone. The connections and insights you gain can stay with you for years. For instance, I made some amazing friends during the fellowship, and we still keep in touch through WhatsApp. Building those relationships has been so rewarding.

Another lesson that really resonated with me was from Siya’s Fireside Chat on how to get started with research. I really enjoyed her talk in particular because everything she did in high school aligned so closely with my own aspirations. Siya emphasized that even if you can’t figure something out right away, it’s important to keep reading, researching, and staying curious. Eventually, you’ll find that one thing you’re passionate about and want to dive into. That message has stuck with me and continues to inspire me to stay persistent.

What advice would you give to future participants of the fellowship?

My biggest advice is to network and not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Building connections is so important, and the relationships you form can be incredibly helpful in the future. Don’t hesitate to reach out and engage with others—you never know where it might lead.

Also, I would highly encourage you to apply the time management techniques you learn from the summer to your every day life. I still use a lot of the techniques I learned from the summer, like the Pomodoro technique and tracking my time on Google Sheets, and it’s been a lifesaver for me, especially with the increased workload and extracurriculars I’ve taken on this year.

Future Aspirations

What are your career aspirations?

My ultimate goal is to pursue a career that combines biomedicine with entrepreneurship to develop innovative solutions in healthcare. I’m passionate about advancing medicine and improving existing solutions to make a meaningful impact in the field.

I’ve always been very interested in business—I even analyze stocks and trends in different industries just for fun. Sometimes, I’ll do business analyses of random companies in Excel because I find it fascinating to track their growth and performance. But while I eventually want to start my own company, I see myself beginning with in-lab research. That hands-on experience will help deepen my understanding of biomedicine and lay the foundation for creating impactful solutions down the line.

How did the fellowship influence your career aspirations?

The fellowship really reinforced my belief that I don’t have to limit myself to just one field—I can combine my interests in meaningful ways. Before the fellowship, I was worried it might be too difficult to bridge multiple disciplines, but seeing so many mentors successfully integrate three or four areas of expertise was incredibly motivating. It gave me the confidence to blend my passions for STEM, business, and art to create meaningful change.

What have you been up to after the fellowship?

I’ve been keeping busy! I’m continuing to work on my Mycotoxin project while also exploring genetics through self-education. These projects give me the chance to apply what I’ve learned and contribute to areas I’m passionate about. This year, I’ve also been getting more involved in Student Council and FBLA, focusing on business and leadership development. It’s been a great way to build my skills and collaborate with others. On the creative side, I’ve been diving deeper into photography, which I absolutely love. Whether it’s for competitions or just for fun, photography has been a great outlet for me to stay both productive and creative.