Rekha’s educational journey began in 2008, when she embarked on her academic path to become a medical anatomist. She soon stepped into Cancer research at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. She contributed to papers in cancer immunotherapy in the journals Scientific Reports and Blood while earning her Master of Science degree in USC’s stem cell biology and regenerative medicine program in its inaugural year. Soon, she started to serve as a biotechnology teacher in LAUSD from 2016 and has always been a passionate educator and a student advocate for providing equitable STEM opportunities to our communities. Her passion for educational leadership and social justice led her to earn her third master’s in educational leadership with an administrative credential from the UCLA Center X Principal Leadership Institute (PLI).
As a proud Bruin from UCLA Center X, she continues her unwavering passion for educational advocacy towards her K-12 and adult education students and their communities. Currently, she serves as an advisor in LAUSD Adult and Career Education by providing equitable workforce and career opportunities. She believes that this community fellowship would help her build more community partnerships and also provide educational STEM opportunities for the students she serves. As an educator, Rekha strongly believes and always focuses on bridging the educational and career gaps that exist within our communities, which stems mainly from a lack of mentorships and lack of access to sustainable resources.