Anushka Sharma '26: Psychedelic research

When Anushka Sharma '26 arrived in the U.S. from India, she was excited to begin her chemistry MS program. However, she faced uncertainty at the beginning of her journey.

"Everything was unfamiliar. I was navigating a new academic system while learning how to survive independently in a country where I had no relatives, no safety net, and no roadmap," said Sharma.

Despite the challenges, Sharma wasn't on her own. She was able to get her visa and transition to life at UMass Dartmouth with the help of the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC)'s orientation program and Student Affairs. Both offices run programs that assist international students.

Now, she's wrapping up her master's program and preparing to begin her PhD at UMass Dartmouth while using what she's learned to help her fellow students.

Using her experiences to help others

“I came from a very small village in a northern part of India, and I’m the first person from that area to come to the U.S. for higher education. Not everyone, especially young women, gets that chance. Now, there are a lot of people back home getting more familiar with the process. People know that I’ve come to America to study and see that they could come, too.

“Having learned from my experiences, I co-founded the Association of International Students (AIS). We created a mentorship network to serve both international and domestic students who may be struggling. We host an event every spring called Global Fusion, which brings all the countries together to sing, dance, and represent their cultures.

“I want to use my experiences to help others. If I can help one person feel better, I will." 

“UMass Dartmouth offers a lot of practical hands-on experience, which is why I chose to come here. I applied to multiple schools, but UMass Dartmouth was always my priority."

Studying chemistry

Sharma came to the U.S. to continue studying chemistry after earning her BS in India.

"I love everything about chemistry! I am part of Professor David Manke’s lab, where we synthesize tryptamine analogs. Tryptamine is found in 'magic mushrooms,' and is structured similarly to the serotonin that's in your brain. We work with pharmaceutical companies to develop potential depression medications using the analogs.

"We're interested in researching the tryptamine structure because it's very similar to serotonin, and depression rates are high in the U.S. and all over the world.

"The best part about our lab is that we don’t need to send the samples to some other university and wait on them; we have our own x-ray instruments, HPLC techniques, and an NMR machine."

UMass Dartmouth benefits

"UMass Dartmouth offers a lot of practical hands-on experience, which is why I chose to come here. I applied to multiple schools, but UMass Dartmouth was always my priority.

"My undergraduate program in India was more theoretical, and we didn’t get a chance to work in the real world. Right now, I’m working in the real world.

"I’ve had 12 on-campus jobs, and working in each office has taught me something different. My growth hasn’t just been academically focused. I learned how to be a strong leader and a good listener. When you’re interviewing for a job, they don’t just want to know how good you are at organic chemistry. They want to see you be a team player, and UMass Dartmouth teaches you that.”

Sharma’s on-campus jobs included working as a research assistant, a teaching assistant, STEM Lab tutor, CAS peer mentor, STAR Center transition liaison, orientation leader, Leduc Center tour guide, and CCB Dean’s Office student assistant, in addition to other roles within student organizations.  

UMass Dartmouth community

"The best thing about UMass Dartmouth is the inclusivity. People here really want to help you. When I say that UMass Dartmouth feels like a second home to me, I mean it. I also love the diverse cultures, which is the reason I founded the AIS. Everyone coming from a different background teaches you a lot. The focus isn't only on academia; there's also a focus on making students feel at home and do well overall."

Continuing to get her PhD

Sharma will continue her education by earning her PhD in biomedical engineering and biotechnology at UMass Dartmouth.