Empowered by scholarship, driven to improve children’s lives

During an internship in a remote tribal village in India, Deepthi Viswaroopan saw firsthand the effects of health disparities in communities where access to clean water, proper sanitation, and basic nutrition was scarce—and she saw that children suffered the most. That formative experience inspired her to dedicate her career to improving the lives of undernourished youth.

Raised in Thrissur, India, Deepthi earned a doctorate in Ayurveda pediatrics—a holistic approach to child health rooted in traditional Indian medicine. She later served as a consultant and assistant professor at Parul University in Vadodara, India, where she authored a dozen national and international journal articles on undernourished children in India.  

Her career took a significant turn when she moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston. She achieved her educational goals through the generous support of the James Turley Endowed Scholarship for Global Health. The scholarship enabled Deepthi to gain the skills needed to harness the power of data to drive lasting change in health care.

Established by James Turley, PhD, RN—a retired associate professor and founding faculty member of the school—the scholarship reflects his lifelong commitment to education and service. Though Turley passed away in 2021, his legacy continues to help shape the future of health care through students like Deepthi, who are carrying his vision forward in communities around the world.  

Deepthi graduated in May 2025 and is continuing the work she began as a graduate research assistant in the lab of Xiaoqian Jiang, PhD, Christopher Sarofim Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Data Science and AI at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics. She now serves as the lab’s research coordinator. We spoke with Deepthi about her academic journey, her passion for health equity, and how scholarship support helped her reach her goals.

Why did you pursue an education in biomedical informatics?

My primary goal was to use my education in biomedical informatics as a catalyst for change in global health. I aspire to develop innovative solutions that address the health care disparities prevalent in developing countries, with a special focus on undernourished children. I want to be at the forefront of research that informs health care policies and strategies. My long-term vision is to develop real-time health care solutions that are both practical and sustainable. By leveraging the power of informatics, I intend to create systems that can adapt to evolving needs and ensure that individuals, particularly children, receive timely and effective care.

What influenced you to pursue a career in biomedical informatics?

Pursuing my education in biomedical informatics held profound personal and professional significance to me. It represented a convergence of my passion for health care, my commitment to addressing critical global health challenges, and my belief in the transformative power of data-driven solutions.

Why did you choose to attend McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics?

I wanted to be part of an institution that is recognized for its commitment to advancing health care through informatics. Also, as the first of its kind, the school has an outstanding reputation in the field of biomedical informatics. The location of the school was very appealing as well. Situated in the Texas Medical Center, a vibrant academic and health care hub, it offers proximity to health care research institutions, which fosters collaboration and networking opportunities.

What did you like most about attending the school?

The most compelling aspects of the school were the expertise of the faculty and its focus on areas closely related to my research interests. The school also enables its students to have access to the pioneers of biomedical informatics, who are accomplished mentors and researchers, which is a privilege.

How did receiving this scholarship impact you and/or your family?

Receiving this scholarship had a profound impact on both me and my family, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunities it provided. It significantly eased the financial burden of pursuing higher education. For my family, this scholarship brought a sense of relief and pride.

I am thankful for Dr. Turley’s belief in the power of education to transform lives. His scholarship not only lightened my financial burden but also boosted my morale and fueled my determination to bring better solutions to underprivileged populations. His generosity served as a beacon of hope, and I am committed to making the most of that opportunity to create a positive impact on global health.