Step into the spotlight with Sathveka Sembian, a recent graduate from Purdue University, as she unveils her captivating journey in academia and groundbreaking research! Her unwavering commitment to continuous learning and transformative contributions at the Health TechQuity Lab (HTQL) has not only left an incredible mark on communities but is also shaping the future of health technologies.

Wonderful Academic Achievements

Sathveka, a recent graduate of Biomedical Engineering (BME) in December 2023, has proven herself to be an ambitious scholar and an active member of the Purdue campus community. 

Last summer, she emerged as one of the two recipients of the prestigious ‘David and Stephen Grubbs Fellowship for Summer Undergraduate Research’. This honor was bestowed upon her based on the nomination by Dr. Natalia Rodriguez and Dr. Jackie Linnes. Her research delved into the reliable detection of HPV-16 and Beta-globin within Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA). 

During the Senior Design Capstone in BME, Sathveka and the team with the creation of Ostomeasure won “Most Design Iterations” as their final prototypes showed thorough work and promise in overcoming healthcare challenges.

Not only that, Sathveka shared her diverse experiences working as a research assistant for multiple departments on healthcare topics, a teaching assistant for First-Year Engineering, and a committee member for organizations including Women in Engineering. 

Team Contributions and Milestones at HTQL

Sathveka’s research journey is notable, mirroring her academic excellence. Since joining HTQL in the Fall of 2021, Sathveka has played a crucial role in advancing community-based screening for cervical cancer.

Some highlights Sathveka has shared with us about her journey here include:

• Her first manuscript was published in June 2023 in collaboration with Tiwalade Adekunle, Layla Claure, and Alyssa Arreola from HTQLab. The work delves into the perspectives of community health workers (CHWs) regarding the anticipated accessibility and feasibility of CHW-facilitated HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening around Lake County, Indiana.
• In her last semester at Purdue, Sathveka actively contributed to the research team by assisting in the facilitation of a focus group alongside Layla Claure and Mrtihula Babu. Focus groups were conducted with local community members in Tippecanoe County to gain an understanding of current disparities in breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Moving Forward

Sathveka’s upcoming journey is full of excitement and new learnings. As she enters a gap year before embarking on the journey to become a medical student in July 2025, Sathveka is not only continuing her ongoing collaboration with Layla and Mrtihula at the lab but is also embarking on a new job that aligns closely with her dreams.

“I am currently working as a medical assistant in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic, and am planning to apply to medical schools this spring. I hope to become an OB/GYN in the future and actively contribute to raising awareness and improving accessibility to women’s health screenings, particularly within rural communities.”

personal comments from sathveka

“I am so grateful for all the connections and memories I have made throughout my time in the lab! Opting to venture into the realm of Public Health as an engineer remains the most rewarding decision of my undergraduate career. 

Throughout my journey, I learned about the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations and that genuine technological innovation begins by deeply grasping the intricacies of the community one serves. This lab truly felt like a family, and I am so thankful for all my mentors for their guidance and support. This experience has not only shaped my technical skills but has also instilled in me a sense of community and shared purpose that I will carry with me as I embark on the path to medicine.”

Working with Sathveka and getting to know her ambition and dedication at HTQL have been inspirational and worth celebrating. We wish Sathveka the very best in her future endeavors and the spectacular changes she will make in the healthcare industry!