Southern Wesleyan to Clemson to Harvard

Faith in God, a commitment to her goals, and the right start have taken Rupal Shah to the top of her field.  After graduating from Southern Wesleyan in 2004 with degrees in biology and chemistry (and with the additional distinction of being the first graduate of SWU’s honors program), Rupal went on to earn a master’s degree in microbiology at Clemson, building on the foundation she developed as an undergraduate.  Now, all of the training is being put to work at Harvard University’s School of Public Health in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, where she’s researching drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Deep Roots

Rupal’s roots as a student in science were shaped at Southern Wesleyan.  Here, the mentoring relationships she had with professors gave her the self-confidence to keep pushing herself to new achievements.  “I’m still in touch with my advisors from Southern Wesleyan, and to this day I seek their advice and guidance when making major decisions.”

All Part of His Plan

“At SWU, I learned that God has a plan for each of us, and if you keep growing, keep learning, and do everything with maximum honesty and dedication, God will direct your steps in the right direction.”