OUR Ambassadors

The OUR Ambassadors represent the Office of Undergraduate Research at official University functions, as well as at community events. The OUR Ambassadors speak on student panels, assist in the recruitment of outstanding new students, attend USA Day, Move in Day, Welcome Week, and many other campus events. OURA's also perform high school and community outreach. This year the OUR Ambassadors participated in Girls Exploring Math and Science (GEMS) events here on campus.

All the OUR Ambassadors are Officers for the Student Organization for Academic Research (SOAR).  SOAR helps students who are interested in undergraduate academic research.  For further inquiries, please e-mail Monica Pasala at msp1424@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

 

Monica PasalaMonica Sai Pasala

Ambassador and SOAR President, Monica Sai Pasala, is currently a junior pursing a major in biomedical science and a minor in computer science.  She was born in India, and moved to America when she was 10 years old.  Monica intends to go to medical school and pursue a career specializing in obstetrics and gynecology while conducting research in the field of metabolic oncology.  She recently realized that her aspirations to become a physician come with a passion for research. For the past two years Monica has been working under Dr. Aishwarya Prakash at the Mitchell Cancer Institute working with proteins involved in the base excision repair pathway.  Monica says she thoroughly enjoys researching on the molecular level, and sees herself working as a clinician and a researcher.  Along with serving the people, she hopes to make contributions to scientific and technological advances through research.


 

Austin SandersAustin Sanders

Ambassador and SOAR Vice President, Austin Sanders, is a first generation college student at the University of South Alabama.  Austin was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He is a senior working towards two degrees: Marketing and Quantitative Methods with a concentration in International Business and Foreign Languages with a concentration in French. Additionally, he plans to continue his education at the School of Computing in Shelby Hall at the University of South Alabama where he will continue to work on his research thesis. His research interest is primarily in developing software for business purposes. After obtaining a PhD, Austin plans to continue doing research either as a professor or industrial researcher. Not only does he intend to do research, but his aspiration is to travel to explore different places and cultures.  Austin also works at Center for Academic Excellence as a JagPal and FYE mentor where he tutors students on a wide range of courses relating to Business, Social Science, and Humanities. Outside of the University, Austin is a server and pianist at Bangkok Thai Cuisine in Mobile, as well as a pianist for several churches such as the Community of Christ in Mobile and St. Thomas: The Apostle Catholic Church in Chickasaw.


 

Sri PrahadeeswaranSri Prahadeeswaran

Ambassador and SOAR Treasurer, Sri Prahadeeswaran, is a junior Biomedical Sciences student from Hoover, Alabama.  He is in the College of Medicine's Early Acceptance Program.  After graduation, Sri intends to pursue a career in medicine. His research interests are in kinesiology and sports medicine. Sri has been a part of Dr. Sandra Stenson’s research lab in the Department of Chemistry and is currently working under Dr. Neil Schwarz in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport. He is active in the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, as well as the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society.  Sri is also an Academic-Athletic Services Tutor.  He enjoys playing sports, hanging out with friends, traveling, and fantasy football.


 

Krisha AminKrisha Amin

Ambassador and SOAR Secretary, Krisha Amin is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Philosophy at the University of South Alabama. She was born in Houston, Texas, but spent almost her entire childhood in Gadsden, Alabama. Krisha is currently doing genetic research with Dr. Glen Borchert at the USACOM on sdRNAs and their role within prostate malignancies. Krisha also works as a consultant at the USA Writing Center, an experience which has so far influenced her desire to remain in academia. Krisha sees herself researching, teaching at a university setting, and hopefully practicing as a clinician in the foreseeable future. She also hopes to one day become editor-in-chief of a major medical journal.