Building Skills for a Future in Medicine
Student Snapshot: Rishabh Kotturgowdra ’27
From hands-on EMT training to Alzheimer’s research, to exploring different cultures abroad, Rishabh Kotturgowdra ’27 is preparing for a bright future in medicine. Learn why this Posse Scholar from California says a close-knit campus and one-on-one attention from faculty members makes the experience especially rewarding.
Hometown:
Porter Ranch, Calif.
High school:
Granada Hills Charter High School.
Major:
What's the best thing about the college experience at Dickinson?
Seeing my friends every day. Because of the close-knit nature of Dickinson’s campus, you get to know each other really well. It’s so easy to hang out and cook dinners together or study together.
What's the best thing about being a neuroscience major at Dickinson?
I love how welcoming all the faculty are. Because neuroscience is at the intersection of psychology, biology and the other sciences, I’ve been able to experience classes taught by professors in a wide variety of disciplines. There’s also a sense of community because you tend to have the same professors for multiple classes, and you can really build a bond with them and your peers.
Why did you choose Dickinson?
I came to Dickinson as part of the Posse Scholar program. I chose this school because of the small class sizes, which meant that I would get more one-on-one attention than at a larger school. I also liked the focus on study abroad.
Favorite class:
My favorite class is probably the EMT certification training course I’m in right now with the Carlisle EMS Academy. It’s an incredible opportunity. I’ve learned so much about physiology, treating patients and the thought processes of EMS workers.
Favorite professor:
Professor of Biology Chuck Zwemer genuinely enjoys teaching about physiology, and he will walk you through every detail to ensure that you understand exactly how a certain body system or organ works. I’m also grateful that he devotes his time to improving the opportunities for students here, whether that’s doing research or creating new classes (like the EMT class I’m in). He’s also just really funny and great to talk to!
On studying abroad:
I studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of DIS (a Dickinson partner program) for my junior fall semester. The highlight of my experience was when my psychology class went to Madrid for a week. We saw a flamenco show, visited an autism day center and a molecular-bio research center, and made our own paella!
About my research:
As part of the Mulder Lab at the Karolinska Institute, I investigated protein expression in both healthy and Alzheimer’s-diseased brain tissue. I selected three suspected astrocyte-related proteins from the Human Protein Atlas and examined their colocalization with astrocyte markers. I also examined amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer’s-diseased tissue. I learned a lot about lab skills and about how to come up with a research question, test that question and present my findings.
Post-Dickinson plans:
After a gap year, I plan to go to medical school.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask a question. Going to professor’s office hours can also be really helpful, both for your classes and to get valuable advice.
Clubs and organizations:
South Asian Cultural Club, Pre-Health Society and Neuroscience Club.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Posse Scholarship and Dean’s List.
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Published June 25, 2026