Beatrice Thungu

Biology Major

Beatrice Thungu's love of science first blossomed under simple circumstances, worlds away from a classroom or laboratory. As a young girl in Kenya, Thungu, ever curious about her natural surroundings, spent many afternoons studying the comings and goings of tree frogs. This childhood pastime inspired a desire to take biology courses, and later spurred her dream of becoming a doctor.

Now beginning her senior year at IUPUI, the young biology major has been in the U.S for just three years. A recipient of an IUPUI Diversity Scholars Research Program scholarship, Thungu has immersed herself in the college experience by participating in numerous academic, campus and community service organizations. It was Thungu's impressive combination of high scholastic achievement, strong commitment to research and campus involvement that earned her the honor of being chosen IUPUI's Top Female Student - an honor most often reserved for seniors.

"Being named top student was something I didn't expect at all, and I was extremely grateful; very grateful," says Thungu. "I'm hoping in the future to become a doctor and help back home, as well as here in the United States."

A volunteer in the ambulatory surgery department at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis, Thungu is currently applying to the Indiana University School of Medicine's MD/PhD program. For more than two years, Thungu has already worked with mentor Dr. Keith Dunker, director of the School of Medicine's Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, assisting with his research in the area of disordered proteins. It's this research, she says, that inspired her to apply for the program. She's excited about the prospects of attending the IU School of Medicine because of the school's ongoing partnership with Moi University in her home country.

"When I was young, we had to walk a long way to get medical help and supplies," she says. "I want to make medical care accessible to people - make it so people don't have to stand in line to be told to come back in two weeks for medication."

Twenty-four students from the School of Science were among IUPUI's "Top 100" for 2009, including Beatrice Thungu, IUPUI's Top Female student. The IUPUI Top 100 Student Recognition Awards are sponsored annually by the IUPUI Alumni Council and the Student Organization for Alumni Relations (SOAR).