For senior Sophia Lourduraj, the world of biophysics presents continuous opportunities to learn about and see the world in a new way.
“I think it’s just generally like looking at the natural world or just regular things and trying to see them in a different way is kind of what led me down the path of biophysics,” Lourduraj said. “I was always interested in physics in high school … even the non-biophysics stuff was really fascinating.”
She continued: “… Learning that … we can create all the simulations and different molecules and possibly design drugs and things like that and all the techniques that come with analyzing proteins and things like that — I thought that was really fascinating.”
During her time at Wake Forest, Lourduraj stayed busy, working as a physics tutor with the Center for Learning, Access and Student Success (CLASS) and a virtual tutor with the Office of Personal Career Development (OPCD). She was also a member of the Wake Forest Orchestra, playing violin.
Additionally, Lourduraj worked with the OPCD to create a platform for Forsyth County public school students to learn more about science-related fields in an online environment.
Lourduraj emphasized the importance of continuing to find new things to learn about — something that she says the biophysics and physics departments make easy.
“There’s a lot of physics that we don’t know like quantum mechanics and things like that, which is outside the realm of biophysics but still related and still fun to think about,” Lourduraj said. “[I’ve been] able to open myself up and be more willing to learn, when earlier I think I might have been more hesitant to.”
Her professors know her as an organized, collected student who always works hard — regardless of challenges.
“It has been a pleasure interacting with Sophia as a biophysics major here; in the Departmental Action Leadership Institute Team, in discussing her research and in having her as a student,” Chair of the Physics Department Dr. Daniel Kim-Shapiro said. “She took our graduate/undergraduate level biophysics class, which includes quite a bit of very challenging material. However, Sophia never seemed to be knocked off balance and remained her calm, pleasant self and mastered it all in the end.”
With graduation on the horizon, Lourduraj not only reflects on her four years at Wake Forest but also has her sights set on the future. Her post-graduation plans include working for Thermo Fisher in their development department as an associate scientist.
“I’m excited. It’s a little bit bittersweet … but it’s really exciting, and I’m excited to go out after graduation,” Lourduraj said. “I feel like it’s gone by fast, but, you know, looking back on where I was as a freshman, I’ve definitely changed a lot and improved and learned a lot.”
Lourduraj looks forward to beginning to work professionally in biophysics research, and she hopes to eventually go back to school for a postgraduate degree.
