Mercer Times

Ravi Sangani, a public health major from the class of 2026, has been honored as a 2025 Goldwater Scholar. This prestigious award is one of the top national recognitions for undergraduate students in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. Sangani, who also minors in biology and chemistry, stood out among 1,350 faculty-nominated students from 445 institutions, being one of the 441 students to receive the scholarship. The scholarship is valued at up to $7,500 to support academic expenses.

Currently involved in ophthalmology research at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Sangani is examining how glucose transport in the retina influences visual function on a cellular level and the potential link between disruptions in cellular transport and degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Concurrently, he is working on a capstone research project at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is preparing to publish his first research paper with himself as the first author.

Sangani's passion for research is driven by both scientific inquiry and personal experiences. Diagnosed with papilledema, a swelling of the optic nerve, his interest in ophthalmology grew significantly following a sudden retinal detachment in early 2024 that resulted in permanent vision loss in his right eye.

“That experience catapulted me into this area of research,” he shares. “Being both a patient and a researcher gave me a dual perspective and made me realize the impact this work can have on real lives, including my own.”

This summer, Sangani will join a program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Vision Institute to focus on retinal regeneration and stem cell therapies. His long-term goal includes pursuing graduate studies in neurobiology and regenerative medicine, with a vision to develop therapies for underserved communities globally.

“If we can find ways to restore vision, especially in communities without resources, that’s where I want to be,” he says.