Nidhi Kundargi

More about me:

What is your major and anticipated graduation?

Double majoring in Computational and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, May 2026

How did you decide to attend MSU?

I was drawn to the university because of its strong research culture and supportive faculty. The funded undergraduate research opportunities at MSU are unparalleled, and it felt like a place where I could comfortably explore different subfields of my field in a vibrant community.

How did you select your major?

I initially chose Statistics as my major because I loved AP Statistics in high school—finding it intuitive and enjoyable—and realized it held tremendous potential for interdisciplinary application. After joining a computational biology lab, I added a second major in Applied Mathematics to strengthen my foundation in quantitative modeling.

Can you describe your research?

I’m currently wrapping a project using machine learning to create predictive models for ovarian cancer onset to determine risk demographics for screening detection. I’m additionally working with RNA sequencing to hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the transcriptome.

What is the societal impact of your research?

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer in women, responsible for approximately 14,000 deaths annually, and it is primarily attributable to the lack of adequate screening methodologies currently in place. Ovarian cancer tumors are surrounded by significant adipose tissue—body fat—due to the location of the ovaries within the body; in conjunction with the vague symptoms of ovarian cancer, it is tremendously difficult to diagnose the cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. By developing machine learning models that integrate multifactor analysis to predict at-risk populations for ovarian cancer, I hope to enhance targeted screening efforts and contribute to better intervention strategies.

How has your undergraduate experience been impacted by research experience?

Working in a lab has been an amazing experience and has opened doors for collaboration that I never would have expected.

Of everything you have experienced at MSU, what has surprised you the most/what is something you never expected?

Starting biological research in my second year—I was surprised at how important the strong sense of community and support in my lab is, alongside how much independence and responsibility I became trusted with in my research. Being trained to work on computational biology projects by optimizing my mathematical background has been absolutely incredible—it’s deepened my appreciation for interdisciplinary research, and has even opened doors for me to extend my research through other opportunities, such as the Tri-Institutional program in NYC.

Plans after graduation?

I plan to continue my research journey by pursuing an academic doctorate.

How important is this scholarship to you personally and to your future career?

Being a Dean’s Research Scholar is particularly important to me because it signifies the commitment that I have made to pursuing research in an area deeply personal to me. Through the DRS, I hope to connect with and learn from other researchers studying machine learning, improve awareness of the value in pursuing interdisciplinary research, and refine my skills in scientific communication.