New York: Growing up in Pune, India, Sukhada Fadnavis (BS ’07) had everything she cared about within one square mile of her home: family, friends, and school. Most importantly, she had parents who gave her the freedom to explore her interests and ideas.
Those interests led her half a world away to Caltech, where she earned a BS in mathematics. That set her on a path to earning a PhD from Stanford University and then teaching at Harvard University. She transitioned to the tech industry where she worked for YouTube, owned by Google, for nearly a decade.
Now Fadnavis wants others to have the same opportunity to explore and succeed as she did. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of her graduation from Caltech, she's established the endowed Shubhangi and Sharad Fadnavis Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) to support undergraduate students conducting research through the Institute’s signature program.
By naming the fund for her parents, she enshrines their legacy of intellectual generosity and encouragement.
"The most important thing my parents did for me was let me explore. They didn't try to change me or force me down a path," she says. "Caltech was also a place where I could be myself. It allows you to keep your inner child alive and come out of your shell. Caltech made me feel like this is my place. I want others to get that same opportunity to experience this environment."
Endowing a SURF fellowship felt like a meaningful way for Fadnavis to give back after reaching stability in her own life and career. It also became a way to honor her parents through something enduring and deeply connected to the values they encouraged in her.
"I love the idea that my daughter and nieces will remember my parents in connection with something rooted in knowledge and research that ultimately benefits society," says Fadnavis. "We look forward to learning about the SURF projects supported through this fellowship for many years to come." (Text courtesy: initiativeforstudents.caltech.edu)
