Drawing on a wealth of support

Is it art? Science? Both? 

One glance at a Movat pentachrome stain reveals common ground between science and art. The stain’s five distinct colors point pathologists to diagnosis for patients with cardiovascular and connective tissue diseases. Those same colorful images pointed the Class of 2025's Jayasri “Jay” Narasimhan to a much-needed creative release following the intense studying required for the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exams.

Histology stain of human tissue (on top) inspired Jayasri “Jay” Narasimhan’s alcohol ink art (on bottom).

The blending of art and science is one of the things that appeals to Narasimhan about the pathology field. 

Narasimhan got her start in health care as a histology technician preparing tissue samples for examination under the microscope. She was eight years into working in the labs at Oregon Health and Science University when a coworker she looked up to planted the seed about medical school and pathology careers. The seed took root, and Narasimhan set off on the path to becoming a nontraditional medical student.

Though it meant studying for the MCAT while also holding a full-time job and taking night classes, she said, “Joining the workforce before going to medical school gave me the chance to mature and grow in my communication skills.”

Now as Narasimhan prepares for her pathology residency at Emory University, she said the wealth of support she received during her time at VCU will stick with her. Through a vast network of mentors and with the assistance of scholarships, Narasimhan’s journey was built on curiosity – and with artistic flair.

Mentorship from M1 through rotations

With eight years in the histology lab under her belt, it’s perhaps not surprising that introductory pathology during Narasimhan's M1 year ended up being one of her favorite pre-clinical courses. It was there she first met Kimberly Sanford, M.D., a professor of pathology whose own nontraditional path started as a scientist in a medical lab.

Those shared experiences were the foundation for what grew into a mentoring relationship with opportunities to work together outside of the classroom. With Sanford's guidance, Narasimhan pursued experiences for greater exposure to the pathology field -- from serving as co-president of the Pathology Student Interest Group to a third-year transfusion medicine rotation. This past year, Sanford also included Narasimhan in a resident didactic series on health disparities in pathology.

“Jay was a driving force in the group and it was clear that her previous experience in pathology fueled her drive,” said Sanford, a 2001 alumna of the School of Medicine who also completed her residency training in pathology on the MCV Campus in 2006.

Inspiration for the path ahead

When contemplating medical school, the potential burden of debt was a factor for Narasimhan, as it is for most students. She was both surprised and extremely grateful when she learned she’d been chosen to receive scholarships. 

“The money is one thing, but knowing that someone read my story, wanted to see me as a pathologist and help me accomplish that goal goes even further,” Narasimhan said.

Narasimhan first received the Pollak/Brout Scholarship, established by the Class of 1971’s Steven M. Pollak, M.D., and his wife, Thora, a VCU School of Arts alumna. In her M4 year, she learned that her oncology research experience had earned her the Mellette Scholarship, named after Susan Mellette, M.D., a pioneer of the cancer program on the MCV Campus.

To express her gratitude, Narasimhan again turned to her creative outlet, using alcohol-based ink to create postcard-sized pieces of art. Narasimhan was drawn to the medium, in part, because of its uniqueness: the artist decides when it’s permanent. A mistake is easily erased with a little rubbing alcohol reactivating the art, wiping the sheet clean. Knowing it's not permanent until she applies the final spray makes the artistic process that much more relaxing.

She's learned, “Many doctors have passions outside of medicine, especially pathologists and art.” In fact, “It was actually a great talking point during my residency interviews.”

Capitalizing on that appeal, Narasimhan started including art pieces in her thank you letters to scholarship donors.

A full-circle connection

Jayasri “Jay” Narasimhan (far right) meets Susan Mellette’s son, Peter, and his wife Kerry at the MCV Foundation Scholarship Brunch. Photo courtesy of the MCV Foundation.

At the MCV Foundation Scholarship Brunch, Narasimhan met Mellette’s son, Peter, and his wife, Kerry. She learned more about his mother's role as director of the Cancer Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Program and how she established the first interdisciplinary teams to help cancer patients return to normal functioning. 

“Dr. Mellette has a very inspirational story, paving the way for the cancer care that we have at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center today,” said Narasimhan, who sees echoes of that in her own aspirations to pursue a career in pathology research that will help advance cancer care and make it more equitable globally.

The couple also gave Narasimhan a copy of Mellette’s book, “Fighting Cancer One Patient at a Time: The Poems of Dr. Susan Mellette.” 

“I didn’t know that Dr. Mellette had her own creative release through poetry when I put my artwork on my scholarship thank you letters. I just wanted to share a little bit of myself to show how thankful I was for their investment in me,” Narasimhan said.