Interview with Komal Gulati, MD/MA in Urban Bioethics Candidate at LKSOM, Class of 2023

Interview by Jeneen Rakshit, BS in Public Health Candidate, College of Public Health, Temple University

1. What interested you about Temple University?

The people. From the moment I first set foot at LKSOM at Temple, I felt immediately welcome. Though I was three hours from the state where I grew up and spent my whole life, I felt a sense of home. It was one of those feelings that is difficult to put into words — I just knew the next four years of my growth and learning and serving had to happen here.

2. What did you take away from your time at University of Connecticut?

My time as an undergrad at UConn (Class of 2018) was a huge learning experience, complete with its own highs and some of the lowest lows. In my 4 years, I learned the importance of being both an advocate for others when they need a voice and a good listener when they just need to be heard. In the process, I learned one of the most important lessons of all: taking care of yourself and evolving a little bit every day are a vital part of serving the people and world around you. You are of more value to yourself and to others when you take the time to breathe and reflect — to do so is not selfish.

3. Who is your biggest inspiration?

My mom. From the beginning, she instilled in me a sense of pride in who I am, a sense of spirituality, and a drive to work hard and go after what I want. She taught me the value of speaking out and using my voice — of being an advocate for yourself and others. From her, I learned to stop and smell the roses and treasure the little joys life has to offer. Though we may not see eye to eye on everything and perhaps because of this, I’ve learned the value of working through our differences and caring for each other, nonetheless. Afterall, I am who I am, in part, because of her.

4. What made you interested in advocating for mental health?

Throughout my life, I saw friends and loved ones struggle with their mental health and dealt with some of my own demons. Throughout each experience, I became a stronger advocate for mental health and well-being because I believe in: 1. Neuroplasticity and 2. That I have a role to play in helping others heal. We all do. In my capacity as a student, advocacy has always been the first step towards that end, until I am licensed to help and heal otherwise.

5. What is your favorite class?

As an undergrad, I double majored in Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Rights so most of my class time was spent in learning brain science and debating sociopolitical issues with my impassioned peers. But as a senior, I had the chance to take a break from the intensity of many of these all-consuming classes and make use of UConn’s rural location in a horse-riding class. Learning to ride horses and care for them remains one of my favorite experiences and one that I miss all the time.

6. What is your favorite vacation spot?

It’s hard to name just one!! I have to go with Mexico. I have yet to see a more beautiful place than Isla Mujeres — see below. I love the ocean and that feeling of smallness that comes from standing on a cliff by a roaring blue sea. It reminds me of Carl Sagan’s reflection about an image of our pale blue dot of a planet, taken from space: “There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”

7. Why do you want to be a doctor?

For too long, I’ve been part of a world that lacks patience and compassion and understanding for those whose worldviews and brains differ from our own and where mental health is not taken seriously. I want to help change that and create a world where our brains and mental well-being are valued just as much as our cardiac or pulmonary health. I want it to be known that brains are just as much of an organ as hearts and lungs are. When our minds are the source of our chronic pain and darkness, many people ignore the signs, waiting for it to pass, unlike they might do if they feel a sudden pain in their chest or difficulty breathing. I want to live in a world where this is no longer the case, where people and patients can find trust in me to care for them. I want to live in a world where people believe in mental healthcare, healing, and neuroplasticity. This is what I want to spend my life doing.

8. What is one of your major goals in life?

Writing started out as a pastime for me when I was a kid. I loved journaling and doodling on family trips, documenting the day’s events and my own observations and unsolicited reviews that only I would read. As I got older, I realized my writing was a skill and that others found some value in reading my words. So recently, I’ve started publishing more of my thoughts and sharing them with others — first as a contributor to my former company’s blog ‘Your Brain at Work.’ And more recently, in Scientific American and KevinMD.com. I hope this is only the beginning of my work as a writer and that one day, I might publish a book — maybe a novel or a book of essays.

9. What do you like to do in your free time?

Lately, in the midst of quarantine, I’ve been crafting more and decorating my apartment in true DIY spirit — especially since HomeGoods has been closed. I picked up crocheting and finished making my first blanket. I made some freehand paintings with inspirations from TikTok. And now, I’m searching for my next project. In the meantime, I’ll be reading books and writing more this summer.

10. Do you have any pets?

Not currently. I love dogs — so maybe one day.