Simran Shergill knew she wanted to be a doctor from a very young age. One of her first experiences with the world of medicine was seeing her grandmother’s bypass surgery, which excited Shergill to learn more about human body functions.
Ultimately, for Shergill, the motivation to pursue a pre-med track came from her father, who was also a pre-med student at Lyallpur Khalsa College in Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
“He said that when I was a little kid, I always loved learning about science,” Shergill said. “He encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.”
As a first-generation college student in the United States, Shergill is determined to make the most out of her IUPUI experience. She is building the foundations of her dream as a neuroscience and biology major.
Through on-campus involvement, Shergill has continued to demonstrate her desire to foster preparation for medical school. During the fall 2023 semester, Shergill worked as a teaching assistant for professor of biology Kathleen Marrs. The role aimed at ensuring smooth experiment operations for first-year students in Biology-K 101.
To start building her professional resume for medical school, Shergill obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in 2022. Through her role as a CNA, Shergill attended to geriatric patients and spotted abnormalities in vitals, which helped patients get correct treatments in a timely manner. Shergill’s experience as a CNA gave her the necessary exposure to the medical world.
Meeting the research requirements of the pre-med track has not been easy, but Shergill has risen to the challenge. As a freshman, Shergill applied for the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine with the help of her PREPs advisor, Jaime Sperandio, the director of Pre-Professional and Career Preparation. Sperandio guided Shergill through the internship application process and conducted mock interviews.
Currently, Shergill aids anterior cruciate ligament research at the IU School of Medicine.
“It’s a learning experience. I’ve been able to network with medical students and build those connections,” Shergill said. “I’ve developed a lot of transferrable skills and learned how to advance myself.”
Now as she approaches her junior year, Shergill and her mentor, Stephen Schlecht, Ph.D., M.Sc., and assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, have been approved to participate in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. The program subsequently provides funding for Shergill’s and her mentor’s anterior cruciate ligament research project.
The assistance from honors advisors has helped me improve myself academically and personally.
Shergill credits the Honors College for helping her navigate the complexities of the pre-med track.
"The assistance from Honors advisors has helped me improve myself academically and personally," Shergill said.
Shergill is not only determined to carve her own medical path, but she’s also determined to help other pre-med students along the way. Through her role as treasurer for the IUPUI chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association, Shergill and the other board members started a mentorship program that pairs pre-med students at IUPUI with medical students from IU School of Medicine.
“I’m a first-generation student," Shergill said. "I don’t know a lot of things that other people who have guidance from parents would know. Having a mentor has helped me."
In addition to being a mentee, Shergill serves as one of the many Honors College peer mentors. Shergill meets with her mentee twice a month to offer advice about the pre-med track.
“With the program, I was able to connect on a one-to-one level and create an atmosphere where students can come to me with questions without being embarrassed,” Shergill said. “It’s helped me improve my accountability and helped me stick to my commitment.”
Shergill expands her mentorship beyond the IUPUI campus as the co-director for the Get Onboard Active Living program. Through this program, Shergill has mentored elementary students by administering lessons about nutrients and healthy eating habits. She has developed her communication skills as she learns how to address health topics for different age groups.
Shergill has continued working with children through her volunteer work in Riley Hospital for Children’s Child Life Zone. The zone caters to children of various ages, from two to thirteen.
Continuing to accumulate more medical experience, Shergill recently accepted a position as a patient care technician at IU Health University Hospital. As she trains for her new role, she expects to collaborate with registered nurses. Through this role, Shergill hopes to interact with patients of different age groups and develop her laboratory skills.
Shergill offers one crucial piece of advice to aspiring honors pre-med students.
“Don’t be scared to embrace new opportunities. Trust the process and believe in yourself,” Shergill said.