As an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, Aysa Tarana explored one of the most rapidly evolving topics in higher education: artificial intelligence. Now a graduate student preparing for medical school, she is building on that experience as she works toward a career in medicine.
Tarana majored in genetics, cell biology, and development and joined the Honors Program as a post-freshman admitted student. While rooted in the sciences, she also maintained a strong interest in the liberal arts, something the Honors Program encouraged her to explore.
“I’ve always been really interested in the humanities along with the sciences,” she said. “I think you need both to be a holistic person.”
Soon after joining the Honors Program, Tarana took the Honors Seminar “What is College For?,” taught by Dr. Michael Stebleton. The course prompted her to consider alternative career paths and sparked an interest in higher education.
“I really found my voice in that class,” she said. “It helped me realize I might want to teach in the future.”
She went on to complete two research projects with Dr. Stebleton, including a study examining the role of AI in college classrooms.
“I noticed a lot of students were using AI for a multitude of things,” she said. “I became interested in why and how it became so popular, and what the ethical nuances are.”
Working closely with her mentor, Tarana explored how college students use AI as an academic aid. She conducted interviews with 10 college students who identify as women and people of color across a range of majors.
“In my informal study, numerous students expressed that AI is useful for streamlining tasks,” she wrote in a NASPA blog post about her research.
Tarana also found that increasing demands on students contribute to AI’s growing use.
“Being a student is not just being a student anymore,” she said. “You have to work, do research, volunteer, have hobbies, and get good sleep. You’re expected to take on all of these roles at once.”
Her research not only strengthened her analytical and critical thinking skills, but also reinforced her interest in serving others, ultimately solidifying her decision to pursue medical school. Before taking that next step, however, she wanted to reconnect with her passion for science.
“I fell a little out of love with science during undergrad,” she said. “The interest was still there, but I wanted to find that passion again. Now I’ve rediscovered it, which I really appreciate.”
Currently enrolled in Integrative Biology and Physiology MS program at the University of Minnesota, Tarana is completing prerequisite coursework and gaining experience as she prepares to apply to medical school.
“I wanted more time to connect with peers and faculty and continue learning before applying,” she said. “I was also interested in developing professional skills, and this program offers courses that support that.”
Looking ahead, Tarana hopes to combine her passion for education with her medical training by teaching at the collegiate level, helping others as both a professor and a doctor.