National Merit Scholar Vibhav S. Prabhakar is Following His Family's Medical Legacy

"Having visited my grandparents who are both doctors this past summer, I was able to witness firsthand the positive effect their work has had on communities in need and have been motivated to pursue a similar path. I've also engaged myself with the literature around neurodegenerative diseases and find the subject to be extremely interesting and something that I would like to contribute to," shares Vibhav Prabhakar , winner of a 2023 National Merit - The 普华永道 Charitable Foundation Scholarship. Vibhav is currently studying biology at the University of Illinois Chicago as part of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) Medical Scholars Program, allowing him a direct path to pursuing his goal of becoming a doctor.

"This program is inspiring the next generation of future thinkers," says Vibhav. "There are so many bright students out there who are limited by financial means from achieving their full potential, so if someone has the capacity to provide that opportunity for others, it would not only benefit those students, but also them through future innovation. . . . I once again am really appreciative that I was selected for this prestigious award and will do my best to make sure that through my education I am able to make a positive impact on those around me."