Lemont Senior Prepares for Future in Medicine with Prestigious Research Program

For most 16-year-olds, summer break is an opportunity to relax and enjoy time away from academics.

But for senior Ritika Dhawan — an aspiring doctor — summertime brought not one, but two opportunities to participate in prestigious research programs in the field of medicine.

Dhawan, now 17, was accepted in the spring to the Academy of Applied Science's Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP), which provides opportunities for high school students to gain hands-on work experience in scientific research and development. Each year, the program sponsors about 120 students at more than 50 colleges and universities nationwide.

Through REAP, Dhawan was placed at Loyola University Chicago, where she spent the summer researching proteins under the direction of Professor Kenneth Olsen. The research focused on hemoglobin as a potential blood substitute, as well as the development of cancer-targeted photodynamic therapy agents.

"The experience gave me a new appreciation for a different side of medicine," Dhawan said. "When I first applied to the program, I just wanted to gain some experience in the medical field, but I ended up really loving the research."

Prior to the summer, Dhawan was also accepted to the Boeing Scholars Academy at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The year-round educational enrichment program provides opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to high-achieving high school students in the Chicago area.

However, due to time constraints, Dhawan chose to focus on the research opportunities at Loyola. She was by far the youngest student in the lab, but she relished every opportunity she was given.

"Everyone was really helpful and understanding of the fact that I was doing everything for the first time," she said. "It was intimidating, obviously, but I just looked at it as an opportunity to learn."

Dhawan enjoyed her experience so much, she continued to spend time in the lab throughoug the fall.

When she's not studying or spending time at Loyola, Dhawan participates in a number of extracurricular activities at school — including softball, Interact, Model UN, Student Council, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Foreign Language Club and the mathematics honor society Mu Alpha Theta.

"I'm involved in a lot of different clubs and activities, but I really enjoy everything I do," Dhawan said.

Denise Dalton, a guidance counselor at Lemont High School, said Dhawan has exactly what it takes to become a doctor.

"She's very analytical and driven," Dalton said. "More importantly, I think she has the interpersonal skills it takes to be a doctor. She's the full package, both academically and character-wise."

Lemont Science Chair Tim Leffler currently has Dhawan in his AP Biology class. He described her as an "excellent role model" for other students, and called her interest in science "energizing and refreshing."

"If I had to use one word to describe Ritika, it would be 'passionate,'" Leffler said. "She's passionate about learning and furthering her knowledge of science and medicine. It's a great quality because she's not afraid to ask questions."

This fall, much of Dhawan's time has been devoted to college applications. In addition to Loyola and Northwestern University, she is hopeful that she will be accepted to the University of Illinios at Chicago through Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions. The program guarantees a select number of incoming freshmen a place in the graduate program of their choice following the completion of their undergraduate studies at UIC.

"I liked the idea of applying through GPPA because I think it would take a lot of pressure off when I'm an undergrad," Dhawan said. "It would ultimately give me more time to invest in research or other programs that would make me a better doctor in the long run."

Dhawan said she is still unsure what field of medicine she'll specialize in, but she hopes to continue gaining as much experience as she can before medical school. She also hopes to take her interests to India, where her parents were born.

"I think it's the best way to really get to know yourself and your interests," she said. "I always wanted to be a doctor, but being able to have hands-on experience made me sure of what I wanted to do and how much I love it."