Brinkley-Lane Scholar: Ananya Chatterjee
Ananya Chatterjee remembers the evening when her family picked her up at Green Level High School and they were all holding up Pirate hook signs to celebrate her acceptance to East Carolina University’s Brinkley-Lane Scholars program.
Chatterjee, daughter of Manas Chatterjee and Aditi Sheth of Cary, was hooked on ECU, too. She had been performing at ECU with Green Level’s wind ensemble when her mother texted her to say the letter had arrived.
“I decided on ECU because of the amount of warmth I’ve felt from the people (in the program),” Chatterjee said. “It was clear they genuinely wanted me to succeed. On Selection Sunday, I felt nothing but warmth and determination from people I had never met before.”
Brinkley-Lane Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students and unique high impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
“This scholarship is a great honor, and I am determined to live up to the name of this award,” Chatterjee said. “Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means that I will serve the community, and have a group of 19 others supporting and growing with me through this college experience.”
Chatterjee has always known she wanted to go into a medical field. She’s majoring in biology to begin developing whether she pursues becoming a doctor, a nurse, a physician assistant or a technician.
“I know that is the field for me,” she said. “I am majoring in biology because of my love for anything relating to animals, humans, genetics, and even environmental sciences runs very deep. It is all absolutely fascinating to me.”
Her love of science was heightened during a mentorship program at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, where she created unique compounds to fight a strain of bacteria that was deadly for cystic fibrosis patients. The molecules she created were successful in stopping growth of the bacteria and she hopes to continue this research in the future.
Chatterjee has not yet chosen where she wants to study abroad. Many countries, including Spain, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Peru and the Netherlands, are possibilities.
“I love to travel and see new places, but I am mostly excited about actually living there. When you study abroad, you get to learn about true local life and culture,” Chatterjee said. “I want to go everywhere. For now, I know I will have a hard time deciding (where).”
Chatterjee also is interested in studying art and exploring a variety of clubs and organizations on campus. She hopes to serve on the Honors College Student Council.
“I made a promise to myself that when this new chapter of my life starts, I will put myself out there and experience and try new things that are out of my comfort zone,” Chatterjee said.
“I decided on ECU because of the amount of warmth I’ve felt from the people (in the program). It was clear they genuinely wanted me to succeed. On Selection Sunday, I felt nothing but warmth and determination from people I had never met before.”
High school: Green Level High School
Intended major: Biology
Current City: Cary