Graduate Student Spotlight | Venkata Krishna

I am originally from India but have spent half of my life in the United States. I completed undergraduate education at George Mason University, where I majored in biology. Initially, my goal was to pursue dental school, but I quickly realized how competitive and costly that path could be as an international student. During my undergraduate years, I was introduced to the field of bioinformatics and became fascinated by the intersection of biology, coding and data analysis. It felt like discovering a second calling. I found genuine excitement in solving biological problems through computational methods, which led me to shift my focus entirely. After graduating from GMU in 2023, I chose to pursue my master’s in health informatics at Hood College to continue exploring this passion in a new academic environment.

I wanted a smaller, more personalized learning environment where I could build meaningful connections with faculty and peers. Hood College stood out to me not just because of its welcoming atmosphere, but also because of the strong focus on hands-on learning in the health informatics program. Even though I came from a biology and bioinformatics background, the health informatics curriculum aligns well with my academic history and my growing passion in coding and data science. Another factor was affordability! Hood offers a high-quality education at a cost that is accessible, which made it a practical and valuable choice for continuing my studies.

What I enjoy the most are the sense of belonging and community. The smaller class sizes make it easier for me to ask questions and interact with my classmates, which creates a collaborative and supportive environment. I also work as a graduate assistant at the Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons, which has allowed me to get more involved on campus and connect with students and staff from different departments.

Hood College is helping me build a strong foundation for a future career in bioinformatics by equipping me with both technical skills and real-world experience. Through coursework, independent study and my role as a graduate assistant, I’ve had the chance to apply what I’ve learned in meaningful, hands-on ways. The program has strengthened my abilities in coding, data analysis and problem-solving—skills that are essential in research, healthcare and industry settings.

Beyond academics, Hood is also helping me grow personally by fostering a sense of confidence and independence. Being in a smaller, supportive environment has encouraged me to take initiative, be curious and think critically. These experiences are not only preparing me for a professional role, but also shaping me into a more adaptable and well-rounded individual.

For my independent study, I’m working on a project that uses machine learning to predict heart disease risk using medical data from more than 1,100 patients. The approach involves collecting patient information like age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and exercise test results, then training computer models to identify patterns that might indicate someone is at high risk for heart disease. I tested several different algorithms to see which ones work best at making these predictions and identifying which health factors matter most.

This project has allowed me to explore how technology can be applied to healthcare in a way that feels both meaningful and practical. It’s been incredibly rewarding to take ownership of the entire research process—from cleaning the data and building the models to analyzing the results and understanding what they mean for patient care. The work has also helped me develop valuable skills in Python programming and data analysis that I plan to use in my future career, whether in healthcare, technology or research.
 

In my free time I love to explore cafes, watch movies and listen to music! My four favorite movies are Interstellar, Seven, Apocalypse Now and Before Sunset. 

Inspired by Venkata's story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as health informatics, by clicking here.