Aneel Deshmukh, an ETSU junior University Honors and Honors-In-Discipline Scholar majoring in Philosophy, attributes his increased maturity, confidence, and positive attitude toward research directly to his involvement in a formal undergraduate research project.   Aneel credits Dr. Michael Allen, ETSU Department of Philosophy, as being instrumental in teaching and instilling an interest in both philosophy and research early in his undergraduate career at ETSU.  Under Dr. Allen’s mentorship, Aneel successfully completed research and presented his essay entitled Public Reasonableness and Mozert vs. Hawkins County Board of Education at the “Art, Spirituality and Global Justice” conference held at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia, November 2009.

Aneel received funding for participating in the conference as part of a philosophy student group travel grant awarded by the Honors College Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Office.  Dr. Jeff Gold (Chair, ETSU Philosophy) and Dr. Allen accompanied the students to the conference.  Aneel attributes the success of the group at the conference to the extensive preparation provided by Philosophy Department Faculty.  The faculty organized mock presentations prior to the conference in order to prepare each student for individual success.  And the preparation made a difference----Aneel received First Place in the Undergraduate Essay division and two other students also received recognition: Victoria Graves and Joseph Shultz tied for the second place prize in the same division.

When asked about what advice he would give students about pursuing undergraduate research or a travel grant to participate in professional conferences, Aneel says, “It is absolutely worth it and you have to take the first step. It can be an intimidating process, but it has been such a rewarding experience.”  Aneel adds “attendance at professional conferences not only provides an opportunity to present one’s own research but students learn about emerging research in the field and what other scholars are working on.  Additionally, there are many networking opportunities.   Ultimately you come to realize that research is a “natural process” and not something that one should fear.”  He encourages students to take advantage of the chance to present at professional meetings and conferences when the opportunity arises so they can build the skills needed for conducting and presenting research.

As a result of his presentation at Davis and Elkins College, Aneel was invited to present a second paper to an audience of professional scholars entitled Multiculturalism and Neutrality at The International & Interdisciplinary Conference in Kolkata, India in December 2009.

As for future plans, Aneel plans to go to Medical School after graduation.  He states,” the undergraduate research experience taught me that it is possible to be innovative and contribute knowledge to a specific discipline.   It allowed me to do something original and important that is also very satisfying.  I hope to find that satisfaction in my career.”