Student · Biomedical Explorer · Entrepreneur · Leader

Curiosity in
the lab.
Purpose in
the community.

Hi, I'm Kavin.

I'm exploring biomedical science, turning ideas into community initiatives, and helping others grow. Through research, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and leadership, I want to build solutions that improve people's lives.

Kavin Gurunathamoorthy in a suit and purple tie
Science. Service. Possibility.South Windsor, Connecticut · Class of 2027
100+Genotyping PCRs performed
88+Hours as a patient ambassador
45+Cadets mentored
70+Hands-on clinical genomics hours
01 / A little about me

Understanding the science.
Seeing the person.

I'm a senior at South Windsor High School, with interests in biomedical engineering and healthcare. My experiences span clinical genomics, blood stem cell research, healthcare technology, and direct service to patients and families.

Across these settings, I’m drawn to the connection between careful scientific work and practical human needs. Outside the lab, I mentor Civil Air Patrol cadets, compete in golf, play piano, and help make learning more accessible through tutoring.

Read my story ↗

Biomedical engineeringGenomicsPatient careCommunity leadership
My story / Why biomedical engineering

When a scientific idea
became a personal direction.

Honestly, I got into biomedical engineering because I like figuring out how things work, and I like that it can help a real person. That connection became real in a genetics lab in Hartford, where I spent more than 70 hours extracting DNA and studying how gene variants influence medication response.

Working with genes such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and VKORC1 changed how I thought about treatment. A medication is not experienced the same way by every patient. Understanding that variation made personalized care feel like a practical problem I wanted to help solve.

Learning in the lab

At UConn Health's Oguro Lab, I moved into questions about blood stem cells and leukemia. Genotyping PCRs, electrophoresis, sequencing, colony maintenance, and molecular cloning taught me how much a larger research question depends on careful everyday work.

Learning from people

At Connecticut Children's, I supported patients and families. At MG Health, I listened to physicians describe what a remote monitoring platform would need to work in practice. EMT training brought another perspective: preparing to respond when a person needs immediate help.

I want to connect the precision of science with the realities of caring for people.
Read my full story ↗
02 / Science with a human purpose

From molecular questions
to meaningful applications.

Hands-on experiences at the intersection of biology, technology, and care.

Kavin demonstrating laboratory pipetting to children and adults
Clinical Genomics & Pharmacogenetics · 2023–present

How can our genes inform better care?

Through clinical genomics training, I’m studying how genetic variation influences medication metabolism and patient outcomes.

  • Genomic DNA extraction from buccal and blood samples using magnetic bead purification.
  • PCR amplification and TaqMan RT-PCR assays for variant detection.
  • Case studies connecting CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and VKORC1 variants to medication responses.
UConn Health · Oguro Laboratory · Fall 2026–present

Exploring blood stem cells
and blood cancer.

As a research intern, I investigate hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and malignant transformation. My work includes genotyping PCRs, gel electrophoresis, sequencing, mouse colony maintenance, and molecular cloning to support laboratory research.

Inside my research experience ↗

Stem cell biologyGenotypingMolecular cloning
MG Health · Healthcare Technology · 2025–present

Listening to the people
who deliver care.

I conducted structured interviews with more than 10 physicians about VitalWeave™, a remote patient monitoring platform. I synthesized their perspectives on clinical relevance and adoption barriers into reports informing product strategy.

Physician interviewsRemote monitoringProduct research
Inside the experience / UConn Health

The question, my role, and what the work taught me.

In the Oguro Lab, we study how hematopoietic stem cells renew themselves and how that process can become cancerous. The laboratory uses genetically engineered mouse models, patient samples, and human induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate these questions.

My part in the research

I help confirm that mice carry the expected transgenic or mutant alleles. I've run more than 100 genotyping PCRs and worked with gel electrophoresis and genome sequencing to verify allele status across mouse cohorts. I also help maintain mutant colonies and have built plasmid vectors through molecular cloning to support a blood cancer manuscript.

What reliability looks like

A sample mix-up can affect the interpretation of an experiment. This work has taught me to slow down, keep track of details, and treat routine steps with the same attention as an exciting result. The question may be broad, but my contribution has to be precise.

Good science is being careful—and repeating the work until it's right.
Explore the research story ↗
03 / Showing up for others

Care begins
with connection.

Supporting families, sharing knowledge, and turning a good intention into something tangible.

Explore my service & community work ↗
Connecticut Children’s · Patient Ambassador

88+ hours over two summers assisting patients, families, and medical staff.

UPchieve · Virtual Tutor

25+ hours of free Algebra, Biology, and Geometry tutoring for underserved students.

Community outreach & school service

20+ hours each with Civil Air Patrol and Interact Club, plus donation drives and peer tutoring through NHS and service initiatives through FBLA.

Founder · 2026–present

Wonder Box

Explore the initiative ↗

A care package initiative for pediatric patients at Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

I’m coordinating with hospital Child Life and Volunteer Services teams to plan age-appropriate package contents and distribution logistics, while raising funds through an online campaign.

An initiative in progress. A commitment to making hospital stays a little brighter.
Inside the experience / Patient service

Listening before deciding how to help.

What I noticed at the hospital

Over two summers and more than 88 hours as a Patient Ambassador, I helped patients, families, and medical staff. I noticed that small things could change a child's day. That observation led me to think about a practical way to contribute beyond my volunteer shifts.

Turning that observation into Wonder Box

Wonder Box grew from that experience. I'm working directly with Child Life and Volunteer Services teams at Connecticut Children's and Yale New Haven Children's Hospital to plan age-appropriate contents and distribution. The initiative is raising funds, with the planning shaped by hospital staff who understand the children's needs.

To really help people, you have to ask the ones who do this every day.

My 25-plus hours of UPchieve tutoring have reinforced that lesson in a different setting. Whether I'm explaining Algebra, Biology, or Geometry, I have to begin with what the student needs rather than assume that one explanation will work for everyone.

Read the service and Wonder Box story ↗
Emergency Medical Technician / Training & preparation · 2026

Preparing to respond
when someone needs help.

I completed an intensive EMT course covering airway management, trauma assessment, cardiac emergencies, and patient transport protocols. My training includes more than 32 hours of skill labs and 22 hours dedicated to learning and research.

The hands-on work adds an immediate, patient-focused perspective to my laboratory and hospital experiences. It calls for focus under pressure and connects my interest in healthcare with the practical skills involved in an emergency response.

Training focus
Airway management · Trauma assessment · Cardiac emergencies · Patient transport
Certification pathway: State and National Registry certification in progress.
Civil Air Patrol cadets participating in outdoor training
04 / Leadership through service

Help others
find their footing.

Civil Air Patrol · Connecticut Wing · Since 2022

As a Cadet Second Lieutenant and Flight Commander, I’ve mentored 45+ cadets and helped more than 10 advance into leadership roles.

I developed an eight-week leadership curriculum focused on public speaking, teamwork, and cadet development, and led training as Flight Commander and Flight Sergeant.

How I approach leadership ↗
Billy Mitchell Award
Top 2 recognition among 400 cadets at Connecticut Wing Encampment.
Future Business Leaders of America / Executive board & committee chair · 2024–present

Where healthcare interests
meet business leadership.

On FBLA's executive board, I help direct community service initiatives and campaigns, and contribute to chapter planning and presentations. The role gives me another way to practice organizing people and turning plans into action.

I placed second in Connecticut in Human Resource Management and Healthcare Administration at the State Leadership Conference, then qualified for and attended the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Connecticut State Leadership Conference
2nd place · Human Resource Management
2nd place · Healthcare Administration
National Leadership Conference
Qualified and attended · San Antonio, TX

FBLA connects with my interests in healthcare and entrepreneurship: understanding a field also means thinking about how teams, organizations, and decisions affect what can be accomplished.

National Honor Society

Service, organized.

Committee chair helping organize donation drives, campaign promotion, student engagement, and peer tutoring at South Windsor High School.

Inside the experience / Civil Air Patrol

From giving instructions to developing people.

I joined Civil Air Patrol in October 2022. As I took on responsibilities as Flight Sergeant and Flight Commander, leadership became more than knowing a drill movement or coordinating a flight. It meant thinking about how other cadets could develop the confidence to take responsibility themselves.

An eight-week response to a real need

Many cadets were nervous speaking in front of a group. I designed an eight-week curriculum focused on public speaking, presentations, teamwork, and cadet development. It gave my mentoring a structure and made communication a central part of leadership preparation.

Growth beyond my own milestones

I've mentored more than 45 cadets, and more than 10 have advanced into leadership roles. Earning the Billy Mitchell Award and top-two recognition among 400 cadets at Connecticut Wing Encampment were important milestones. Helping fellow cadets progress is another meaningful part of the experience.

For me, leading means helping other people get better.
Read my leadership story ↗
05 / Beyond the résumé

Precision. Practice.
A little perspective.

On the course

Eight-plus years of competitive golf, a varsity starting position, and first–fifth place finishes across multiple Junior PGA summer tournaments. Drive, Chip & Putt National Qualifier and Connecticut Junior PGA Championship Qualifier.

What golf has taught me ↗

At the piano

Six-plus years of piano, Trinity College exam distinctions at Levels 1, 2, and 4, and international competition participation.

Academic foundation

South Windsor High School

Expected graduation: June 2027 · High Honor Roll, all semesters

13 AP courses · 14 Honors courses
UConn Early College Experience coursework in Physics, English Literature, and Environmental Science.

In my own words

The experiences behind the résumé.

Keep the conversation going

Curious about what’s next.

Connect with me about science, service, or opportunities to learn.

Kavin’s Center for DNA-Guided Medicine Health Science Program Module 1 completion certificate, April 21, 2025