Sanvi Bhatnagar ’26
Major: Population Health/Health, Medicine, & Society
Manilla, Philippines – Global Social Impact Fellowship
“Going to the Philippines with Lehigh’s Creative Inquiry was a remarkable experience beyond anything I’ve ever done before. From my background as a pre-med student studying population health in the College of Health, I gained immersive and tangible involvement through my project, TrackTB. Our mission was to enhance tuberculosis treatment adherence in the Philippines, leveraging both high-tech and low-tech solutions.
"My team, like the rest of Creative Inquiry, was made up of students from all different majors and interests who worked together to create worldwide change. We were able to meet with doctors, TB survivors, TB advocates, healthcare workers, clinics, and many more integral people who propel the journey to eradicating tuberculosis in the Philippines.
"This opportunity was extremely valuable to me because not only did it impact my life and the trajectory of my career, but it also allowed me to spread impact through the many interactions, meetings, and presentations we had. I am grateful to everyone I met in Manila, as well as the advisers who helped me get there, Sean Vassilaros, Khanjan Mehta, and Bill Whitney.”
Spotlight Recipient
Sanvi Bhatnagar and Lydia Sheeser
Undergraduate Student
Article By:
Lydia Sheeser ’27
Major: Health, Medicine, and Society/Biology
Uganda, Africa – Iacocca Internship
“This summer I had the opportunity to live and work in Bududa, a rural village in Uganda. Our group partnered with Pathways Development Initiative (PDI), a local NGO working to eliminate the immense poverty that its community members are facing. Lehigh professors Kelly Austin and Mark Noble have led this trip for 13 years, working and living with the founders of PDI. I was supported by the Iacocca Internship to learn from and support the PDI staff with administrative work.
“In the office, we helped with grant research, fundraising campaigns, assessment sheets, and even joined the kids for soccer practice! I also shadowed in a health clinic and learned how the staff works incredibly hard with the few resources they have.
“This experience was so impactful that I plan to return to Uganda next summer with my own research project! I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the incredible people in Bududa and experience the beauty of Uganda, something that would not have been possible without the Iacocca program, Professors Austin and Noble, and the wonderful Zaale family, who welcomed us into their organization and home.”
