Driven by a deep-seated passion for business and finance, coupled with hands-on experience collaborating with diverse companies in the fields of medical equipment and cancer diagnostics, Varshni Nandakumar, an M2 medical student, recognized a unique opportunity. This realization sparked the inception of MedPath Ventures, a student organization founded and spearheaded by Nandakumar.
Currently a student at the Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine, Nandakumar holds an undergraduate degree in bioengineering from UCLA. During her ongoing academic career in the EnMed program, she identified an unexplored avenue to enrich the educational experience for her fellow students. Nandakumar conceived MedPath Ventures, aiming “to cultivate confident leadership skills within the junction of medicine, engineering, business, and finance.”
Established during the fall semester of 2023, MedPath Ventures began with a dedicated team of students who resonated with Nandakumar’s vision. With a mission to empower students, this organization employs a multifaceted approach encompassing business workshops, mentorship programs, and informative speaker sessions.
Despite its roots in the EnMed program in Houston, TX, Nandakumar deliberately chose to expand the organization’s reach to other A&M campuses, intending to share valuable information with a broader audience. This initiative garnered significant interest, leading the organization to now have a membership of over 70 individuals.
MedPath Ventures is comprised of four distinct committees focusing on consulting, entrepreneurship, leadership, and venture capital. Nandakumar’s primary objective in establishing this organization is to offer her peers tangible benefits by imparting skills that can serve as valuable assets for securing internships, fellowships, or other pathways into entrepreneurial, financial, and venture capital fields. Each committee consists of a leader and two members across the Texas A&M System.
In the face of initial challenges, including logistical hurdles of creating the organization and communicating across the A&M system, Nandakumar’s determination and resilience played a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles. With some assistance and support from faculty members Dr. Lovelady and Dr. Lee, she was able to create a strong foundation for this organization to thrive.
Looking ahead, MedPath Ventures has scheduled several events in the latter part of the semester designed to impart essential skills to current and prospective members. With the organization’s expansion, Nandakumar is dedicated to establishing a comprehensive knowledge base that current and incoming students can tap into, providing a solid foundation in this field. Aligned with the interdisciplinary nature of the EnMed Program, MedPath Ventures strives to become a natural extension of this methodology.
For questions about MedPath Ventures, contact Varshni Nandakumar at vnandakumar@tamu.edu.
