When two curious undergraduates from India arrived in the U.S. earlier this summer, they weren’t just here to explore Lehigh’s campus. They came to immerse themselves in research that can change lives.
Ashoka University students Navvya Rahate and Saistha Ranjan were selected to join Lehigh’s signature Mountaintop Summer program. During the eight weeks of Mountaintop, they’ve experienced working in interdisciplinary lab settings and tackling real-world problems. This is the fourth consecutive summer of Ashoka students joining Mountaintop project teams, and as in previous years, strong global collaboration and teamwork has led to amazing results.
Ranjan, a biology major, joined the project team “Decoding a Bacterium’s Success,” led by Dylan Shropshire, assistant professor of biological sciences. Her team studies the bacteria Wolbachia, which has the potential to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
“We’re working on understanding cytoplasmic incompatibility,” she explains, “a mechanism that prevents offspring from surviving in certain bacterial combinations. Our goal is to determine why some Wolbachia strains are more effective than others.”
The inquiry-driven experience has solidified Saistha’s interest in scientific research.
“Before coming here, I wasn’t sure if science was the right path for me,” she says. “Now, working in a lab every day and contributing to something meaningful makes me feel like I’ve found where I belong.” She is now considering applying to graduate programs at Lehigh to continue her personal and professional pathway.
Rahate, a psychology major and history minor, is part of the “Radical Realities” project under the mentorship of Debbie Laible, professor of psychology. Her team is exploring how radical media consumption influences conservative beliefs in young American males. Throughout the summer, Navvya engaged in deep literature reviews, identified gaps in existing studies, and helped design and implement a survey to collect new data.
The topic of this project, which like Decoding a Bacterium’s Success is part of the NextGen Impact Fellowship program, has been a cultural awakening, but Navvya says that she’s learned how to navigate any cultural barriers with the help of her teammates and mentor.
“I liked that our work focused more on quality than the quantity of time spent,” she says. “It’s flexible but intensive in the right ways.”
Rahate first learned about Mountaintop from a fellow Ashoka student who had previously participated in the program. She was drawn to the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience—something not easily accessible to undergraduates at her home institution. After months of closely monitoring Mountaintop’s project listings, she applied and was thrilled to be accepted.
Both students noted the differences in lab structure and mentorship at U.S. universities.
“At Lehigh, professors have their own labs, and students are trusted with a lot of independent work,” says Ranjan. Rahate echoes this: “Back home, we can’t join research labs until much later in our studies. This gave me the chance to explore research earlier and see what field I’m really passionate about.”
“It’s been great having a dedicated student like Saistha working in the lab over the summer,” says Shropshire. “This kind of collaboration opens doors for both sides - students gain hands-on research experience, and our team benefits from their energy and fresh perspective.”
Stacy Burger, director of global partnerships and strategic initiatives in the Office of International Affairs, emphasizes the value of Lehigh’s international collaborations.
“Our collaboration with Ashoka University has been mutually enriching, fostering meaningful academic and cultural exchange since 2018. We are delighted that Ashoka students actively participate in our summer programs, contributing diverse perspectives and academic excellence to the robust and interactive academic experience,” she says.
Outside the lab, the students found community through dorm events, movie nights, and long walks throughout south Bethlehem.
“We were the only two international students in the program this year, but we made so many friends just by showing up and being curious,” Rahate says.
Ranjan adds, “From day one, people have been so welcoming. It’s made all the difference.”
As they head back to Ashoka, both students are taking more than data and research skills with them. They’re carrying new mindsets, broader perspectives, and a clearer sense of their academic and personal purpose. For future international students considering whether to join Lehigh’s summer programs like Mountaintop, they have a simple message: “Go for it.”
