Sachin and Negin from the Department of Cellular, Molecular, and Genetic Medicine establish an enriching community environment for the VCU SOM international students
A home to over 1200 international students from more than 101 countries, Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the most culturally and globally vibrant places to pursue one’s dream in the United States. An essential part of nurturing this dream is enriching one’s journey with good community support, and two PhD candidates of the Department of Cellular, Molecular, and Genetic Medicine (CMGM) are setting that platform just right!
Sachin Kumar Kempelingaiah, a first-year PhD student at Dr. Can Senkal’s lab, leads the School of Medicine International Student Group (SOMIS) as the president. Under the guidance and sponsorship of Dr. Mike Grotewiel, the SOMIS was formulated in January and became an official VCU SOM group in April 2025.
“I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago, and I moved to the United States for my undergraduate studies back in 2017. It was an extremely challenging adjustment to the newfound culture and ways.”, said Sachin, when asked about what made him take up the leadership. “Given my past experiences, I felt that this would be a great opportunity to share my knowledge and hopefully ease the transition for incoming international students.”
The main mission of SOMIS is to offer resources and connections to incoming and existing international students. Aside from the resources provided by the VCU Global Education Office, our group aspires to assist international students in navigating academic and cultural challenges in the MCV campus, promoting and encouraging connections and collaborations among students and post-docs, spread across several departments of the School of Medicine. As Nira, a 4th-year international PhD candidate in Dr. Senthil Radhakrishnan’s lab and SOMIS member, stated, “ Our International student group is all about making a welcoming and supportive space where international students can become a valued part of the VCU community, with plenty of opportunities to grow and succeed.”
“I know what it’s like to start over in a new place—new people, new customs, and sometimes, new fears. That’s why at SOMIS, we want every student to feel like they belong here.” Said Negin Zia Miavaghi, a 2nd year PhD student at Dr. Kaustubh Dutta’s lab and the Vice President of SOMIS. “Here, we want to make sure your stories are heard, your cultures are celebrated, and your questions are answered. We're here to grow together, support one another, and make VCU feel a little more like home.”
Victor Hugo, a French author, once said, “Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.” As a part of the VCU School of Medicine, SOMIS aims to tackle the peril of culture-adaptation and build a community where students can connect, share, and grow together. Whether it’s through cultural events, support circles, or peer mentorship, SOMIS is here to be your home away from home as you navigate your journey at VCU.
If you are an upcoming international student at the VCU School of Medicine and would like to be a part of the VCU SOMIS, contact Sachin (SOMIS President) and Negin (SOMIS Vice President) at kumarkempelsg@vcu.edu and ziamiavaghn@vcu.edu, respectively.
By Sumit Saha,
Department of CMGM, VCU SOM
Date: 1 August 2025