Making Every Moment Count
Hemanth Kapa ’27 presents original research he conducted through the Scripps Research Summer Internship at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, Calif.
Student Snapshot: Hemanth Kapa '27
Coming to Dickinson from India with a full-tuition Next Genius Scholarship, Hemanth Kapa ’27 (computer science, neuroscience) soon found a welcoming, challenging and inspiring campus home. He’s built strong friendships and mentorships, explored new subjects and excelled as a researcher who thoroughly enjoys all aspects of his undergrad experience. He appreciates the chance to dive into different subjects, pursue individual research projects, intern at a research institute and present his work.
Hometown:
Tadepalligudem, India.
Majors:
Computer science and neuroscience.
Clubs and organizations:
Photography Club, Badminton Club and Residence Life.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Dickinson Next Genius Scholarship, Kenderdine Student Travel Award, Emergent Ventures Grantee and Dickinson Internship Grant.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:
"The best part of Dickinson has been the close-knit community and the relationships I’ve built with professors who truly care. I’ve had the chance to explore everything from the philosophy of beauty to dissecting sheep brains. It’s a place where I can follow my curiosity, try new things and feel supported every step of the way. Whether it’s late-night study sessions, grabbing Denim coffee with friends or deep conversations after class, Dickinson has a way of making every moment count.”
Best thing about my major:
I love that my computer science major lets me pursue my passion for open-source development. Through COMP 390, an open-source practicum, I earned credit for contributing to real-world projects I care about. I got to choose my own project, develop it and meet with a mentor weekly for guidance and feedback. The flexibility and support from the department have been incredible. It’s hands-on, meaningful and exactly what I want to be doing.
Favorite professor:
Associate Professor of Art & Art History Ren Wei’s class on Japanese woodblock prints made me see art in a whole new way. Her passion for East Asian art is unmatched, and she brings so much depth and energy into the classroom. I didn’t expect to be so drawn to art history, but her class had a real impact on me. She even encouraged me to consider pursuing it further.
As I kid, I wanted to be …
… a professional food critic.
About my internship:
At the Scripps Research Institute last summer, I built a web dashboard to help scientists better manage their cryo-ET (microsopy) data—and along the way, I got to dive into some of the coolest imaging technologies out there. I learned how researchers study cells in 3D and even tested various AI tools required for the lab. Now, at Oregon Health Sciences University, I’m making complex scientific tools easier to use by turning them into a graphical user interface researchers can actually click through—without command line expertise. These internships taught me how much I enjoy working at the intersection of science and software and how powerful it is to build tools that make research easier and more efficient. I also got a chance to present at various conferences.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I plan to attend graduate school and pursue the intersection of computer science and life science or work on building a startup in the same area of interest.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Live in the moment and take chances on the things that excite you. Go out, try new things and don’t wait for the “perfect” time to chase what you’ve always dreamed of. It might already be here.
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Published June 6, 2025