Dr. Samhita Yadavalli received the "FIGS Faculty Mentor of the Year” award presented at the FIGS (First-year Interest Group Seminars) 25th Anniversary dinner. The FIGS course that Dr. Yadavalli mentored was “Exploring Health and Medicine” which was taught by senior Genetics major, Fawaaz Masood. Fawaaz is currently a research assistant in Dr. Gleb Shumyatsky's Lab, a DLS Student Ambassador and the President of Rutgers Habitat for Humanity.
Two of the first-year FIG students who took the course shadowed Dr. Yadavalli in her lab and are now considering majoring in Genetics. 
What does it mean to become a FIGS Peer Instructor?
First-Year Interest Group Seminars (FIGS) are one-credit courses for first-year students focused on an academic or career interest area and taught by experienced Rutgers students in their junior or senior year. Peer Instructors (PIs) develop a ten-week course that exposes students to career, research, and educational opportunities and the many resources available at Rutgers. PIs collaborate with the FIGS Team to customize their courses, integrating required FIGS Elements (academic success, diversity and inclusion, personal wellness, etc.) with interactive educational activities. As a FIGS PI, you will share your knowledge of an academic topic, your Rutgers experiences, and your advice for succeeding in college with up to 25 students.
