Snehvir Kaur was selected to serve as the 2026 Indiana University Indianapolis Commencement undergraduate student speaker. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University“You don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. You just need the courage to take the next step.”

That is the main message Snehvir Kaur wants to convey when she addresses the Class of 2026 as the undergraduate student speaker at the Indiana University Indianapolis Commencement on May 16 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

Kaur will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the School of Science. It’s a path she did not plan to take when her collegiate journey started.

“Initially, I wanted to major in business, since my parents own businesses; it was just practical,” she said. “But when I saw how passionate my business school peers were about what they wanted to do, I realized I didn’t feel that same connection.

Snehvir Kaur will graduate with a bachelor's degree from the IU School of Science. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University“I like science, and I’ve always enjoyed medicine, so I conquered my fears of thinking I wasn’t good enough and switched my major to neuroscience between my freshman and sophomore year.”

It did not take long for Kaur to take advantage of the prestigious research opportunities available to IU Indianapolis students. During her sophomore year, she began working in the Hydrocephalus Research Center.

Led by professor Bonnie Blazer-Yost and established with over $11 million in federal grants, the center focuses its research on finding an effective drug treatment for hydrocephalus, a life-threatening condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain.

Kaur was entrusted with major research projects; her own investigated how ions contribute to the production of cerebrospinal fluid. Weeks before commencement, she presented her work at the American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis, a national conference for life science researchers.

“Snehvir had the unique and nerve-wracking experience of presenting a poster in the main poster session where senior scientists and their trainees congregate to discuss the presented research,” Blazer-Yost said. “At the same meeting, she participated in a poster research session and networking for undergraduate students where she met her peers from around the country. We are very fortunate to have undergraduate students who show this type of dedication to the research mission of our university.”

Kaur describes her time in the hydrocephalus lab as the most impactful part of her education.

“My experience with the lab has been an amazing learning opportunity, not just learning about science, but navigating research dynamics, writing papers and learning how to collaborate with others,” she said.

Kaur plans to attend medical school and is especially passionate about helping people who may face language or cultural barriers.

“There are a lot of people who feel like their pain or their struggle is undermined because they might not be able to communicate how they’re feeling,” she said. “As an immigrant and a child of immigrants, I can relate to their experience.

“I want to be a physician who sees more than just a diagnosis. My goal as a future physician is to help people be able to fully get back to the things they love.”

Relating to and representing the experiences of her classmates will be a theme of Kaur’s commencement speech.

“It’s not just about my story; it’s about reflecting the experience that so many students have had but is not always talked about: the uncertainty, the pressure, the quiet moments of doubt,” she said. “I want people to feel seen and understood when they hear my speech.”

She also shares this message for the Class of 2026 and those that follow: “You don’t need to have everything figured out right away. You don’t need to compare your timeline with anyone else’s. Just focus on learning and growing. Become someone who can face challenges, even without all the answers.”

Tia Broz is a communications consultant in the Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing.