Brinkley-Lane Scholar: Simran Takhar
When Simran Takhar received her acceptance letter as an East Carolina University Brinkley-Lane Scholar, she viewed it as motivation and a first step in what she hopes to be a rewarding process.
Takhar, 17, a Holly Springs native, enjoyed the moment and began looking forward to being a Pirate.
“It showed me to never stop trying,” Takhar said. “ECU and Brinkley-Lane Scholars are a door that opened for me, even though it wasn’t something I planned for. Looking at the big picture and seeing everything that has been offered and the opportunities I’m getting, it really encourages me to keep trying in moving forward and do my best in whatever I do. I’m truly honored to be part of this community that has so many intelligent and supportive people.”
Takhar, who ranked second in her graduating class at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences, is interested in research opportunities at ECU. She eventually wants to go to medical school and be a surgeon. Her intended major is exercise physiology as part of the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Performance.
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.
“I chose exercise physiology as my major because of a research experience I had related to neuroscience, but my course was exercise physiology for that project,” Takhar said. “I just really fell in love with researching how our bodies react and our movements work. Studying that can improve our health, and I think exercise physiology will give me the chance to look into that more and do research projects within the community as well.”
Takhar advanced her research knowledge last year in biotechnology and during a summer ventures program in science and mathematics, contributing to a study of how sleep and nocturnal blood pressure disruptions from night shifts impact sleep architecture, recovery and the performance of medical residents. Her next aspirations align with support of being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar.
“I want the opportunity to explore in college, but I also want the support and resources and guidance to make lasting social change,” Takhar said. “I want to make lasting change for myself as a person and as a student in my academics, and I think ECU and Brinkley-Lane Scholars will be perfect for that.”
“I want to make lasting change for myself as a person and as a student in my academics, and I think ECU and Brinkley-Lane Scholars will be perfect for that.”
High school: Wake Early College of Health and Sciences
Intended major: Exercise physiology
Current City: Holly Springs