Nehal Bakshi was born and raised in Provo, Utah, and ever since she could remember, she had always enjoyed being involved in her community. Within her time at the U, she participated in a wide variety of programs and organizations including: the Honors Integrated Minors, a variety of leadership roles in Honors, and exploring beyond campus through study abroad opportunities.

“The Honors College was one of the things that really drew me to the U. I have had a rich and rewarding time here, and I wouldn’t have traded the University of Utah experience for anything,” said Nehal.

Leadership & Research:

Within the Honors Community, Nehal has made an impact through the Honors Student Advisory Committee (HSAC), peer mentorship with the first year, “Ideas That Matter” course, and serving as an Honors Ambassador.

“I loved being an Honors Ambassador because I was able to connect with prospective students and parents and advocate for all the fun programs and activities that Honors has to offer” expressed Nehal.

She was also actively involved in research since her freshman year with Dr. Melissa Watt. This allowed her to explore topics for her senior thesis.

“For my thesis, I studied how cancer patients in Malawi experience social support within their networks and how that support impacts their mental health and well-being as they navigate their diagnosis,” explained Nehal.

Honors Awards & Abroad:

Outside the classroom, Nehal expanded her learning internationally through the DAAD RISE Germany program, which allows students in science and engineering fields to complete summer research at a few of the top German universities and research institutions.

“I spent three months in Germany working on a public health project that used a co-creative approach to improve communication training and empower patients to more confidently engage with their obstetric providers,” said Nehal.

In addition, she recently won the 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award for the Honors College, which is an award given by the University of Utah to recognize students who have participated in impactful research for their communities.

Nehal is graduating this year, Spring of 2025, where she plans on continuing her academic journey through higher education. We look forward to watching and supporting her amazing work in the future.

Aspen Delis | Journalism Intern, University of Utah Honors College