Meet this morning’s Science valedictorian

If you could have any superpower what would it be? What is your definition of success? Meet Jhanahan Sriranjan, the valedictorian at the June 13 morning convocation for the Faculty of Science.

1. Name:
Jhanahan Sriranjan

2. Hometown:
Markham, ON

3. What is the degree and subject you pursued?
Hon. B.Sc. Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

4. What made you choose McMaster for your higher education career?
If I’m being completely honest, choosing McMaster was pretty much a flip of a coin. About a week before I had to make the decision, I remember lying on my bed torn between staying at home (and eating that home-cooked food for the next 4 years…I could literally smell my dad’s food from my bedroom) or moving away and seeing whether I could do this whole “adult” thing for the first time. My sister was already in the Life Sciences program at McMaster (currently doing her Master’s in Biology here too), and it seemed like she was having a great time, so I thought why not? Fast forward 4 years, and it’s safe to say that it was definitely the best decision I’ve ever made (especially since my parents still send me food every week…best of both worlds, right?).

5. What will you be doing/see yourself doing after graduation?
I’ll be right back at McMaster at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine! Super excited for another 3 years here!

6. What would you say to your first-year self?
You’ll figure out how to do well in school. You’ll find groups and clubs that make you feel as if you’ve really made a difference. You’ll meet friends who you’ll only have known for a year but feel like you’ve known your whole life. And, you’ll regret a ton of decisions the moment you make them. Doesn’t matter, make them anyways. In about 3 years you’ll realize that they were all the right ones. Just trust your judgment, and you’ll be fine. No one knows you better than you know yourself.

Also, your beard will grow in eventually. Stop worrying about it so much.

7. Do you have any advice for current and future students? 
Never underestimate the power of a good laugh. When it’s all said and done, you’re going to remember the craziest, silliest, funniest times of your undergrad, and the people you spent those times with more than anything you’ll learn in class. Believe me, my best friend and I literally dressed up in Christmas suits and asked out random people in Thode Library one afternoon, and it’s one of my fondest memories here (shameless plug: find the video on the McMaster Science Society page on Facebook). Get in one of those bent-over, tears-streaming laughs once a day with the people you love and those things that were stressing you out might not feel so significant anymore.

8. How has McMaster shaped the person you are today?
Most of what I’ve learned during my time here isn’t from my classes, but from the people who fill them. Each person brought a refreshing, meaningful view to the table, and as a result I’ve basically become the human equivalent to a sponge trying to absorb all of these perspectives. So, the person I am now is someone who probably understands the world a little bit better than they did four years ago and is by no means done learning yet.

9. What events did you enjoy the most at McMaster/Hamilton?
Welcome Week!!! It’s funny, I was unable to attend my own Welcome Week back in 2015, but having been a Sciclone for the past two years, I’ve been able to meet so many people and experience it all — it doesn’t feel like I really missed a thing. Other highlights include Charity Ball, Formaldehyde, and Light Up the Night – 3 absolute bangers!! I’m very fortunate to have 3 more years in the Hamilton area, and I’ll be using a lot of that time to enjoy more of what this great city has to offer.

10. What is your definition of success?
Success is when you start and end the day with a smile.

11. How has McMaster helped you create a Brighter World?
Coming to McMaster, I wasn’t sure how I was going to spend all of my time here. Fortunately, the school pretty much had that covered. It sounds cheesy, but this is genuinely a place where there is something for everyone. McMaster opened so many doors for me, especially in research where I’ve discovered a true passion for developmental and psychiatric research that I hope will be a huge part of my life in the future. I’m sure I’m not alone on this—many of us have found something at McMaster that lay the groundwork for the things we want to do in the future and showed us the real impact we can have on our communities.

12. What motivates you to work hard?
As a kid, I was brutally competitive. Everything was about being the best and finding the next challenge, even if it was completely out of my league. Now, as an adult, I’m probably just as competitive, but in a very different way. It’s hard to put it into words, but really what I think it comes down to is that I find it fun to push myself and see just how far I can challenge myself to be the best version of myself. It’s kind of like I’m my own opponent, and whether I win or lose, it’s always a learning opportunity for how I can do better in the future. It’s easy to stay motivated when you’re your own biggest competition.

13. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Flight. Ain’t nobody got time to wait for the HSR.

14. Who is your favourite professor?
Dr. Louis Schmidt!!! I first started working with Dr. Schmidt the summer after my second year as an NSERC USRA recipient and have since had the pleasure of completing my Honours thesis and taking a class (PSYCH 3JJ3) with him. Dr. Schmidt is an incredible lecturer (with the most underrated sense of humor), supervisor, and mentor. He is truly an expert in his field—I can’t recall a single question he hasn’t had the answer for—and he has always been very supportive in my endeavors in and out of the classroom. I owe much of my success these last two years to his guidance.

Also want to give a shout out to some incredible professors who’ve been an absolute pleasure to work with as well: Dr. Joe Kim, Dr. Michelle Cadieux, Dr. David Shore, and Dr. Richard Day. The PNB Department is truly incredible!

15. What book are you currently reading?
Books have always been a bit of a sacred thing for me. Since I was a kid, I don’t think there was ever a time where I didn’t have at least one book hidden on me, and it’s gotten a lot easier nowadays with e-readers and apps! Currently, I’m reading 3 books. I’m re-reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel, which is one of my favorite books from my high school days, and a book I often return to when I’m facing a huge life change and want to ground myself a bit. The second is The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, the sequel to Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I’ve been waiting for this book for a very long time, and I must say it was definitely worth the wait so far. The last book is another reread: A Game of Thrones. Let’s face it, season 8 of GOT was pretty disappointing, but at least we’ve got these books to remind us how great the story actually is.

P.S. you’re either Team #KingInTheNorth or you’re wrong.

16. While at Mac, did you receive donor-funded financial assistance (e.g., a scholarship, award, bursary)? Any thoughts on the importance of giving back to your alma mater to support future generations?
I received the H.L. Hooker scholarship, and the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award. Getting these scholarships not only made it easier on myself financially, but also helped create so many opportunities for me at McMaster. It’s always a great feeling to know that someone who you may not even know has your back, and I hope to be able to pay that feeling forward someday.