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Siddarth Vyas was working as a corporate financial analyst when he decided to shift his focus — and his future — toward health care.

This transition started with “significant reflection” and a long journey that included volunteering, shadowing and completing the prerequisite courses for medical school. He was committed to a future rooted in direct patient impact.

Vyas graduated in May 2025 with an Master of Science in Clinical Research Management from the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences at The University of North Texas Health Science at Fort Worth. This fall, he will begin medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

During his time at UNTHSC, Vyas worked on four abstracts that were presented at research conferences. He received the UNTHSC Clinical Cancer Research Scholarship, sponsored by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, and was named Most Outstanding Student in Clinical Research Management.

He is actively involved with RESULTS, a grassroots advocacy group committed to using members’ voices to influence decisions impacting poverty. Vyas has published several letters to the editor in The Dallas Morning News on both domestic and global health issues. He also presented at the 2025 Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons meeting in Long Beach, California and gave a podium presentation at the 2025 North Texas American College of Surgeons Conference. His thesis project was titled “Color-Segmented Fluorescence (Red Capping) Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients with Melanoma: A Comparative Analysis with Indocyanine Green.”

Throughout his degree program, Vyas sought to build a strong foundation in the biomedical sciences and immerse himself in coursework comparable to the demanding first year of medical school.

“It was a way for me to gauge whether I’d be able to handle the rigors, enjoy learning the material and be able to manage performing at the same level the next four years in medical school,” he said.

Why UNTHSC?

Vyas said he chose UNTHSC based on a strong recommendation from a friend who had previously completed the program and spoke highly of the curriculum and faculty.

His academic journey unfolded in two distinct yet complementary phases.

“The initial phase in the medical science program provided me with a deep dive into the foundational sciences. I particularly enjoyed courses like biochemistry, immunology/microbiology, physiology and anatomy,” Vyas said.

After finishing UNTHSC’s medical science program, he continued his journey, transitioning to the clinical research management track.

“I had no prior research experience and saw this as a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field,” he said. “I went in blind and came out with a lot. I gained a comprehensive understanding of how clinical research is conducted.”

As part of his degree program, Vyas worked onsite in the surgical oncology department at the Baylor Scott and White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas. He expressed gratitude for the “exceptional mentorship” of BSW team members Dr. John Preskitt, Dr. Marc Ward, Dr. Steven Leeds and surgical research manager Rehma Shabbir MBBS, ACRP-P, as well as UNT clinical research professional Ala Obaid, DHSc.

“A lot of people had an impact on me; nobody makes it alone,” he said. “I am also incredibly grateful for the support of my network outside UNTHSC — including my friends, family and former colleagues — whose support was vital to my initial career transition and continued throughout my master’s program.”

There were many others who helped Vyas along the way.

“My friends and fellow classmates helped me survive and get through the classes,” he said. “Dr. Lisa Hodge provided invaluable support and guidance the entire time. Dr. Dorota Stankowska encouraged me to pursue the clinical research management program. Dr. Stephen Mathew guided me through the thesis practicum and helped refine my work. Dr. Raghu Krishnamoorthy offered insightful advice and helped me bounce ideas around. Cassie Ardy from the Career Readiness Center gave me feedback on mock interviews and helped sharpen my communication skills. Drs. Rehana Lovely and Scott Maddux were instrumental with anatomy and were excellent academic advisers.”

“And the list could go on and on,” Vyas added. “The collective impact of the faculty significantly shaped my experience at UNTHSC. I genuinely look up to each of them and have learned something valuable from every single person. I thank all of them for making this experience so rewarding and memorable.”

As he moves forward, Vyas is focused on completing medical school and becoming a practicing physician committed to patient care.

“I’m committed to being a lifelong learner, continuously seeking to improve and be the best version of myself,” he said. “I also aspire to remain active in clinical research, continuing the work I began at UNTHSC, and engaging in advocacy and mentorship to make a positive impact on individuals and communities along the way.”

Based on his experience, Vyas shares three pieces of advice for students.

“It sounds cliché,” he said, “but as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that all these timeless sayings are true. First and foremost, you get back what you put in. Second, endure and keep pushing — perseverance pays off. And finally, ‘Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.’”

Step by step, Siddarth Vyas has come a long way — and he’s just getting started.

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