Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
High School: Andinet International School
Michael chose IU Indianapolis for its strong curriculum and opportunities for aspiring neurosurgeons, including the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and clinical internships. To him, being a Bepko Scholar means embodying servant leadership and surrounding himself with a community of driven peers. Michael says, “The way I see it by being a Bepko Scholar I am given the opportunity to grow not just academically but also through service and experience. I’m excited to take part in peer mentoring sessions, explore new perspectives through study abroad, and engage with a community of driven scholars.”
A social issue that Michael is a passionate advocate for is mental health, he founded a Neuroscience and Wellness Club in high school to promote cognitive sciences and raise awareness about stigma. He also served as Vice President of the AIS Community Service Program, organized fundraisers, promoted sustainable farming with Brighter Generation Ethiopia, supported special needs education through the Melue and Deborah Foundations, and tutored students at Bole Primary School.
Inspired by his mother and motivated by the lack of neurosurgeons in his home country of Ethiopia, Michael hopes to advance neuroscience and mental health both at IU Indianapolis and globally. In his free time, he enjoys playing the Begena (the harp), learning languages, playing soccer, and reading.