College of Arts and Sciences students reveal their unique paths to their majors, the inspirations behind their choices and what it truly means to be passionate about their studies.
Adam Rahl '26
German and Biochemistry
I am pursuing majors in German and biochemistry (with a minor in LGBTQ+ studies). These two disciplines, although seemingly disconnected, provide the intellectual vitality that I hoped to find at Ohio State. The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures granted me invaluable mentoring as I have completed two research projects: one investigating gay Holocaust survivor testimonies and the other examining an herbal taxonomy published in Prague in 1789.
Having changed the way I relate to art, literature and history, a major in the humanities has been a spiritual investment in my inner life. Within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, I have spent two years leading sections of CHEM 1612 and 1622. Additionally, during this past year, I was a student researcher in the Huang lab, working on projects in plant genetics and gaining a new appreciation for my professors who expand the frontiers of scientific knowledge.
Gowrav Mannem '26
Mathematics: Financial Track
Artificial intelligence is seen as the next biggest revolution since the discovery of the steam engine. Large Language Models like ChatGPT can write, debug code, pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam and make trades on the stock market. The opportunities with this tech are endless. The basis of all Artificial Algorithms like ChatGPT4 is math. Behind the curtain, linear algebra, calculus, statistics and probability are at work. I have always been fascinated with how these models figure out how to drive a car or what to write given an essay prompt, and specifically how the models decide which stock to trade and when.
The mathematics major financial track allows me to explore this passion of mine. Along with a fantastic and supportive faculty, Ohio State offers opportunities to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios such as autonomous vehicles, industry projects and research.
Kaleemah Muhammad '26
Social Work and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
I’m a second-year social work and women’s, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) double major, and I use she/her/hers pronouns. When I first came to Ohio State, I began to question if my major was the right fit for me. So, I decided to change my initial plan and soon found my path was within two majors. I feel more comfortable with this decision, and I get to be a part of two communities.
I’m also taking classes with amazing WGSS faculty like Julia Applegate and Maya Wadhwa. I can tell the WGSS faculty and staff love what they do, and this kind of energy makes the learning environment very warm and welcoming for students. I adore my majors with all of my heart because I’m learning more about topics that interest me, meeting new and interesting people and making meaningful friendships along the way.
Photos: Stephen Takacs Photography
