Q&A With Dr. Avinash Jayaswal
Dr. Avinash Jayaswal is a healthcare executive in New York City and is board certified in general internal medicine and emergency medicine & trauma. He completed medical school at Université libre de Bruxelles and his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, and he has a training certificate in artificial intelligence from MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
But he got his start with a Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Why did you choose to attend UH?
My moving to Hawaiʻi to study instead of other schools on the West Coast and elsewhere in the United States was influenced by various factors, especially the unique academic opportunities and scholarships available at the University of Hawaiʻi. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a wide range of scholarships, fellowships, and awards for students in biology-related programs. My parents, especially my father, encouraged me to go to UH, saying that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy such a beautiful place and study biology and computer science. It was the best decision to pursue my undergraduate education there, and I was well equipped for graduate school and medical school later.
What do you value most about your time at UH?
During my time at the University of Hawaiʻi, I valued academic opportunities and scholarships, such as the National Science Foundation scholarships for marine molecular biology. The abundance of world-class laboratories and researchers allowed me to bathe in an environment where top researchers were conducting their work.
I rotated in six different laboratories and wrote two theses during my undergraduate years. These opportunities were instrumental in shaping my academic experience and fostering my passion for biology during my time at UH, which opened the door to medical education.
What advice would you give to an incoming UH student?
Encourage students to familiarize themselves with academic advising resources, and thus explore all the courses, awards, and scholarship options available. They should make use of the fantastic infrastructure necessary for a smooth transition to university life. Taking advantage of these resources, incoming freshmen can navigate their academic journey effectively and make the most of their time at UH.
The Mānoa campus, where I was, offers a stunning backdrop of Mānoa Valley, providing a serene and picturesque environment for academic pursuits. The campus's proximity to Waikīkī Beach allows students to enjoy the beauty of the beach while being immersed in studies. This unique setting provides an ideal blend of academic excellence and natural beauty, offering a truly exceptional university experience which I cherish to this day.