Receiving a prestigious graduate fellowship is a distinction few students achieve. For Ohio State alumnus Anitvir Singh Taunque, being selected as a Samvid Scholar represents an opportunity to join a national community of future leaders dedicated to addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges.
Taunque was one of 20 students selected for the sixth cohort of Samvid Scholars from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants. Founded by Samvid Philanthropies in 2021, the program supports mission-driven graduate students through leadership development, community engagement and financial support of up to $100,000 during their graduate studies.
An incoming MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, Taunque said his interest in the program was shaped by the collaborative experiences he pursued throughout his time at Ohio State.
“During my time at Ohio State, I have especially valued cohort-based experiences that have brought together students with diverse and interdisciplinary interests, both on campus and through national and global programs,” he said. “Those conversations and experiences pushed me to think more critically, collaboratively and intentionally about impact.”
The opportunity to engage with peers from different fields was a major factor in his decision to apply.
“As I prepare to begin the next chapter of my journey in medicine, I am increasingly drawn to the complexity of the field and the need for leaders who can think across disciplines,” Taunque said. “Medicine today sits at the intersection of technology, AI, health policy, public health and the business of care, and I want to develop that broader perspective as I grow into the physician I hope to become.”
Selected scholars represent a wide range of disciplines and areas of impact, including healthcare access, criminal justice reform, clean energy and disability rights. For Taunque, the program offers an opportunity to learn alongside peers who are tackling complex challenges from different perspectives.
“I applied to Samvid because I hope to join a community of driven students who are creating impact across sectors and to learn alongside people who will challenge me to think more deeply, lead thoughtfully and expand my understanding of what meaningful service looks like,” he said.
Taunque graduated from Ohio State with a degree in biomedical science and Honors Research Distinction as a Stamps Eminence Scholar. During his undergraduate career, he was recognized as a Harry S. Truman Scholar, LeadNEXT Fellow and recipient of Ohio State’s Outstanding Senior Award.
His work has spanned community health, biomedical research and public policy. He founded OSU Red Saree, an initiative focused on cardiovascular health education and screenings, conducted gene therapy research at the Samaranch Lab through Ohio State’s Department of Neurological Surgery and advanced neurotechnology policy through the Neurorights Foundation.
As a Samvid Scholar, Taunque hopes to further explore the intersection of medicine, innovation and public service while developing the leadership skills necessary to create lasting change.
“Professionally, I hope to better understand the issues in medicine that most intrigue me, including medical innovation and the accessibility of novel therapies, through the lenses of business and law,” he said. “I want to become more pragmatic in how I think about impact and more thoughtful in how I can pursue change within a complex healthcare system.”
The program’s emphasis on leadership and self-reflection is equally appealing.
“On a personal level, I am excited by the chance to have honest conversations about faith, philosophy and the values that shape each person’s path,” Taunque said. “I know that being in that environment will challenge me to reflect on my own values and identity and help ground me in a more thoughtful understanding of who I am and the impact I hope to make.”
As an aspiring neurosurgeon-innovator, Taunque hopes to help ensure emerging neurotechnologies are both innovative and equitable. His selection as a Samvid Scholar adds another milestone to a career already marked by academic excellence, service and a commitment to improving lives through medicine and leadership.
