Meet Risha

I created this platform to share my path and stories. Through this blog, I hope to inspire others to reflect on their stories and all the good things!

As a first-generation university student, I often questioned if I truly belonged in higher education and whether there was space for people like me. At the University of Victoria, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and gained confidence in my research abilities. This reinforced my belief in hard work, perseverance, and compassion.

I love working with underserved populations and underrepresented students, from having meaningful conversations at senior homes and hospices to witnessing healthcare disparities in a local emergency department and tutoring students. I am committed to democratizing access to medical care and education.

I also love building and being part of a community. I’ve co-created a global research initiative that elevates first-generation high school students and pairs them with undergraduate researchers to conduct and present their work at our symposium. I coach children ages 2 to 9 in soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, and floor hockey and mentor our newer coaches.

At my core, I live to serve others through education, research, patient care, and my community work with children and families.