Ananya Kamalakannan

• Title: Kaplan Humanitarian Award

Beginning in her freshman year at Ohio State, Neuroscience major Ananya Kamalakannan has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts across Ohio State’s campus. Now a junior, she has been involved with Tamil Sangam, a student organization that’s mission focuses on sharing Tamil culture with the broader campus community, while fostering dialogue among students from different backgrounds. As the events manager, Ananya is responsible for planning and executing a variety of programs that provided students on campus with the opportunity to engage in activities that highlight various aspects of Tamil heritage, including traditional games, clothing and food. She is also the co-president of Snehalaya, a student branch of a nonprofit in India that is dedicated to uplifting victims of human-trafficking, domestic abuse and HIV positive children and families. This fall, Ananya also founded Ohio State’s Chapter of Global Medical Brigades, a nonprofit organization seeking to empower aspiring healthcare professionals to make a tangible impact in under-resourced communities across the world. In the future, Ananya hopes to continue leading international health initiatives as a pediatrician, providing vital care to children from across the globe.