Making the most of intersecting sciences

When University of Delaware junior Nivedita Prabhu stood up to ask former New Jersey governor Chris Christie a question about political corruption at the 2024 James R. Soles lecture last fall, she was introduced as a political science and biochemistry double major.

"I was going to go for the double degree in biochemistry too," joked the UD alumnus who majored in political science. "Instead, I went for a minor in history."

For Prabhu, an honors program student, the combination of laboratory science and social science is the perfect way to achieve her goal of a career in public health. The blend gives her a deeper understanding of the biochemical systems of the human body and the social dynamics of policy and governance. It's also timely, given the high demand for interdisciplinary approaches to complex health challenges.

"Public health is all about understanding how science intersects with society," she said. "As I've learned more about the world of policy, I've realized how important it is to have people who understand both science and governance, to bridge the gap between the two. If I study both, I can work in this field that connects both."

From Colorado to Delaware

The Boulder, Colorado, native first heard about UD from one of her high school teachers, alumnus Jacob Lehr who graduated in 2006. She was involved with speech and debate teams, which sparked her interest in political science. At the same time she was fascinated with medicine and science. When looking at colleges, she wanted a place where she could continue exploring her passions.

An invitation from the Honors College to be interviewed for a Distinguished Scholars award prompted a visit to Newark, where Prabhu said she fell in love with UD.

"It was pretty much everything I wanted," she said. "I really liked the honors experience, and I liked that it's such a big school, but it felt small and welcoming at the same time."

Scheduling classes can be a challenge, as the prerequisites for some of the biochemistry courses mean those classes must be taken in a certain order. Her political science courses are more flexible, allowing her to add them as her schedule allows. Prabhu's faculty advisers have guided her along the way, and she is on track to graduate in May 2026, four years after arriving in Newark.

"What drew me in was the collaborative environment here," Prabhu said. "I've never felt like I had to compete with anyone to get ahead, and that has really made all the difference in my college experience."

Hands-on learning

Prabhu has also taken advantage of opportunities both on and off campus to deepen her knowledge in both disciplines. She began working as a research assistant in the lab of chemistry professor John Koh second semester sophomore year as part of the department's honors organic chemistry lab program, in which top students are invited to work with a faculty member in place of taking the traditional lab class.