RIT graduate Sammy Deol earns Fulbright scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in public health at the University of Birmingham in England

Rochester, New York – In a major academic milestone, recent RIT graduate Sammy Deol has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study public health in the United Kingdom. Deol, originally from Ithaca, New York, will spend the next year pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Birmingham, deepening his interest in medicine while expanding his understanding of healthcare systems beyond U.S. borders.

With a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Deol has long had his sights set on becoming a medical doctor. But it’s not just about earning a title—his path is shaped by a deeper desire to understand the social and systemic influences that shape health outcomes, particularly those affecting marginalized or underserved communities.

“Even though I want to practice medicine in the United States one day, I want to have exposure to that aspect of medicine and to have the perspective of a different healthcare system,” Deol said.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs, selects participants based on academic merit, leadership potential, and a passion for mutual understanding across cultures. Deol’s project stood out not only for its academic merit but also for its cultural significance.

Read also: Rochester Public Library removes daily overdue fines for all patrons in permanent policy change

At the University of Birmingham, Deol will be immersed in a public health program that combines epidemiology, health policy, and the social sciences. But his decision to study there wasn’t based on academics alone—the city is also home to one of England’s largest Sikh communities, a detail that holds deep personal and research importance for him.

Deol, a practicing Sikh himself, aims to engage in public health research targeting substance use and addiction within the Sikh population in Birmingham. The issue, while not widely discussed, has had ripple effects within communities and families—something he began exploring as an undergraduate researcher in the psychology lab of RIT’s Dr. Stephanie Godleski.

“I also want to explore my culture more,” Deol said. “I am curious to see the differences between American and British Sikhism, and I think that would be a good opportunity do that, as well.”

His interest in the emotional and social toll of addiction—particularly its effect on children—grew through his work in Godleski’s lab, where research centered on addiction and behavioral health shaped his academic focus. The lab work, combined with his broader undergraduate experience, helped Deol forge a public health perspective deeply grounded in empathy, science, and lived experience.

RIT faculty played a significant role in guiding his academic journey. Bolaji Thomas, professor of biomedical sciences, helped push him academically with rigorous coursework in parasitology and immunology.

“He made sure that we strove for excellence and pushed us to go as hard as we could, which I really appreciate. He would remind us that it’s not going to be easy to get where we want to be,” Deol said.

Another key mentor was Elizabeth Perry, a senior lecturer in biomedical sciences. Through courses like Biomedical Ethics, Perry instilled a strong sense of the human side of medicine—reminding future healthcare professionals that technical knowledge must be paired with humility and emotional intelligence.

Read also: Public foreclosure auction scheduled for property at 123 Cattaragus Drive in the Town of Henrietta

“Dr. Perry would talk about the need for people who go into medicine and healthcare professions to have humility and to be able to understand patients’ problems and where they’re coming from, which I think is really important to consider,” Deol said.

Outside the classroom, the RIT Honors Program offered Deol the chance to stretch beyond traditional academics. The program supported him with advanced classes, travel funding for conferences, and a requirement for community service—an experience that had a lasting effect.
Volunteering at a local hospice home helped Deol see medicine not just as a science but as a deeply human practice involving compassion and presence.

“The Honors program encouraged me to pursue those types of opportunities and I think it made me someone who will be a stronger practitioner going into the future,” he said.

Deol is also no stranger to storytelling and cultural exploration. As a contributor to RIT’s student-run Reporter Magazine, he authored “A Sikh Society,” an article spotlighting the Sikh community in Rochester and the local gurdwara, or Sikh temple, near campus. That piece reflected both his journalistic curiosity and his connection to heritage—traits that will serve him well as he prepares to live and study abroad.

For Deol, the Fulbright is more than a scholarship—it’s a gateway to a broader understanding of global health, cultural identity, and the future of medicine. While his ultimate goal is to practice medicine in the United States, the year in England offers a rare opportunity to bridge knowledge and experience from two very different healthcare systems.

As he prepares for this new chapter, Deol stands as an example of how academic achievement, cultural heritage, and compassionate inquiry can come together to shape a meaningful and impactful career.