1. What were your first impressions of UC San Diego?
Khanna: I hate to admit it, but I thought Price Center looked like the Starfleet Academy from Star Trek. At the time, I was a big Star Trek nerd—ok, I still am—so it actually made me really want to go here.
2. What activities have you been involved in at UC San Diego
Khanna: I have served as the Chair of the Warren College Judicial Board, the Parliamentarian and the Website Coordinator for Warren College Student Council. Last year, I was the Associated Students Vice-President Academic Affairs, and this year I’m serving as the President.
I have done research at the Jacobs Retina Center with Professor Gabriel A. Silva. He and my graduate student advisor, Marius Buibas, have taught me much about bioengineering and the satisfaction of doing undergraduate research.
To develop myself socially, I joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and have spent three years as the President of the Karaoke Club.
3. As the A.S. President, how do you promote student involvement on campus and in the community?
Khanna: Every chance I get, I encourage the students I meet to join an organization or get involved somehow. UCSD has a reputation for being socially less desirable, but it’s just not true if you make the effort to be involved with something and make friends.
4. What advice would you give to an incoming student about succeeding at UC San Diego?
Khanna: Know the rules. Know every detail about your major and your college. Read the General Catalog. Find out which classes you have to take and then find out how you can instead take the classes you want to take. Get to know your Dean and learn the issues your college is facing.
If you have the chance, get involved with undergraduate research. You’ll learn more doing research than in any class.
5. What are some "outside the classroom" life lessons you’ve learned as a UC San Diego student?
Khanna: The best way to change things is from the inside. I lamented our overly bureaucratic, bloated student government, and rather than throw stones at it, I ran for office. This year, we are changing everything, and by the end of the year, we will have a well-oiled student association that is as capable as a business and is ready to be an equal partner in our University’s tradition of shared governance.
6. What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Khanna: Frankly, just making it through four years of bioengineering at this school is probably the personal achievement I am most proud of. The courses are very difficult and balancing them against my involvement in student government has been challenging.
7. What are your favorite spots on campus? Off campus?
Khanna: On campus, Earl’s Place is probably my favorite spot. The people there are friendly, the atmosphere is fun, and it reminds me of my first two years of college living on campus. Off campus, I like Boomers! and go-karting, in general.
8. What do you do to unwind?
Khanna: My roommate Sara and I shoot pool at Shogun restaurant. We wager chores: for example, if she wins, I have to change the oil in her car, but if I win she has to make my bed every morning for a week. Regrettably, she usually wins.
9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Khanna: Who knows? Hopefully working at a bioengineering company somewhere or inventing something useful. I hope that my work can make a positive contribution to the field of medicine and somehow make lives better for people around the world. |