Having the opportunity to present her research work at Harvard University was a dream come true for Neha Deo.

The Fijian-born student, who is studying to be a dermatologist, was one of the few students selected by the renowned American university from a pool of 250 applicants across the world to present on their research in dermatology in 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was not able to face the crowd in person, however she was able to do so virtually.

Despite this, the easement of COVID-19 restrictions granted her the opportunity to visit university last month.

“It was amazing to be able to see the campus. I really did reflect on how my parents grew up from poverty, struggled to make ends meet in Canada, and because of their hard work, I was able to go to university and now medical school,” she said.

She said each medical speciality had research conferences every year where students and doctors could present their research to other people.

In 2021, one of Harvard’s main hospitals – Brigham and Women’s Hospital – was hosting a dermatology research conference called ‘Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dermatology Medical Student Virtual Research Symposium’.

“The project was called ‘Ergonomics Education During Dermatology Training: A Survey’.”

“My research was focused on the lifelong musculoskeletal problems that dermatologists can develop due to straining or improper posturing.”

Ms Deo’s family migrated to Canada when she was three years old. Her father worked as a custodian in a local school while her mother worked in a credit union.

“I earned my Bachelors of Science in Biology with Distinction at the University of British Columbia; the 2nd ranked university in Canada.”

“I will be receiving my Doctor of Medicine in Mayo Clinic in 2023.

Ms Deo was one of the 52 applicants who got accepted from the pool of 6000 applicants.

She earned a six-figure scholarship from this, something that she said was a blessing.

“My goal is to return to Fiji one day and build a clinic.”

“In 2018 I went to Dilkusha’s Children’s Home in Nausori to give the girls sandwiches and snacks and it was so inspiring to be able to spend time with them.”

“They have struggled so much in life and yet, are so content with what they have.”

“That experience made me realise that I needed to do something to give back to the Fijian community when I become a doctor.”

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