I am Neveya, and my interest in medicine began with a personal battle. At four years old, I experienced my first overnight hospital stay due to severe asthma. The uncertainty surrounding my condition was daunting, but I found comfort in understanding the disease. My mother would read informational pamphlets during my stays, simplifying complex concepts to explain my "puffy" airways and heavy chest. That early exposure to the inner workings of the human body sparked a lifelong fascination with human functioning and healing through medicine. My asthma has since eased, but my desire to understand and contribute to medical science has only grown stronger.
Fueled by my passion for medicine and healthcare, I have eagerly pursued biotechnology programs, hospital volunteering, and public health internships. Each opportunity provided a new perspective and reinforced my commitment to the field, with the most meaningful being my collaboration with the International Internship Program. Throughout the internship, my team and I formulated an extensive workshop plan to mitigate the occurrence of waterborne diseases in the Kandahar community by highlighting standard water handling, treatment, and storage practices in the form of interactive flipbooks and live demonstrations using local filtering plants such as moringa seeds.
My experiences with medicine inform my fascination with evolutionary anthropology, which began during a biology course where I learned about early humans and their unique structures. Furthermore, I desire to explore the field's medical implications to strengthen my understanding of how evolutionary processes have shaped human biology and health. Studying anthropology through this lens, I hope to gain insight into the origins of human diseases, adaptations, and overall health, enhancing my ability to contribute to medical research and patient care.
“Being a Cardea Fellow aligns perfectly with my passion for medicine and healthcare, particularly in underserved communities. The program provides invaluable support for pre-med students and offers opportunities to engage with peers and mentors who share my commitment to aiding our communities. As a Cardea Fellow, I feel empowered and equipped to make a tangible difference at Duke and beyond.”
