VCOM View Magazine Vol. 14 | No. 1

Research From Curiosity to Clinical Impact: How Tanya Kumar, DO, Made Research Central to Her VCOM Journey D uring her time at VCOM-Louisiana, Tanya Kumar, DO, a member of the Class of 2025, was a standout student and a passionate advocate for research, mentorship, and community service. A graduate of the University of by Danielle Voumard

home and in the lab, helped instill in her the values of resilience, discipline, and continuous growth. “They held me to the same high standards as other interns in the lab,” Dr. Kumar shared. “At home, they were my biggest supporters,

helping me navigate challenges and teaching me concepts I struggled with. Their impact on my journey was immense, and they’ve always encouraged me to stand on my own.” The DO with Research Distinction Pathway When Dr. Kumar arrived at VCOM

Houston, Dr. Kumar majored in honors biomedical sciences while

minoring in chemistry, public health, and medicine and society. She also earned a certification in corporate entrepreneurship. Her academic foundation laid the groundwork for her role in research at VCOM. Inspiration from Family and Early Mentorship Dr. Kumar credits her parents, both organic chemists turned biomedical scientists, as her primary sources of inspiration. Her parents’ influence, both at

Louisiana, she knew she wanted to integrate research into her medical career, though she wasn’t initially aware of the Research Distinction program, which allows students to engage in meaningful research projects while earning their DO degree. It wasn’t until her second year that a friend introduced her to the program. After researching the opportunity, Dr. Kumar contacted Zakaria Abd Elmageed, MS, PhD, discipline chair and assistant professor for pharmacology, who became a key mentor in helping her pursue the path. “Earning my DO with Research Distinction has helped me refine my critical thinking skills and deepened my commitment to evidence-based medicine,” Dr. Kumar explained. “It has also given me the tools to bridge the gap between bench and bedside, ultimately improving patient care.”

Tanya Kumar, DO, (center) with Vice Provost for Research Gunnar Brolinson, DO, (left) and Mark Sanders, DO, former dean of VCOM-Louisiana.

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