My name is Navya Kancharla, and I am currently a junior at Duke, majoring in Biology and minoring in Global Health and Chemistry on the pre-medicine track. During my time in Kenya, I am most excited to engage directly with women from diverse backgrounds and hear firsthand stories that will deepen my understanding of women’s health and the systemic barriers that shape access to health care.
My interest in global health developed long before I knew a field existed that matched my interests. During one summer in Berkeley, California, I volunteered at a women’s homeless shelter where I worked alongside an incredible team to provide free meals, clothing, hygiene, contraceptives, and mental health support to local unhoused women and their families. It was the conversations with these women that stayed with me. I began to see health not as an absence of illness, but as a state of true well-being. For the first time, I felt like my initiative could truly make a difference in someone’s life. This experience helped me both confirm my interest in medicine and also revealed my deeper passion for promoting holistic, individualized care to improve quality of life. At Duke, I have had the opportunity to explore my passion for global health, specifically focused on women’s health, through courses in the Global Health department and research through Bass Connections and the Duke Perinatal Clinic, which have only furthered my interests. In the future, I hope to carry these experiences into medical school and, eventually, into a career as an OB-GYN.
Outside of academics, I spend my free time dancing! I began learning Indian classical dance at seven years old, and over the years, it has taught me patience, dedication, and helped me stay connected to my roots. At Duke, I am a co-captain for Bull City Raas, where I have had the opportunity to continue to connect with my culture while building an incredible community.