Sam Sudar: One to Watch

Watching family members battle neurological disease forever changed Sam Sudar. “I saw firsthand just how destructive degenerative conditions can be not only for the person suffering, but to an entire family,” he says. Trying to reverse damage to the central nervous system became the scientific challenge that would lead the classical guitar major to completely rethink his future.

“There I was, two years into my music major deciding that I should get back to my love of science,” says Sam, now a triple major in neurobiology, philosophy and English. “The most important thing the UW afforded me is that I was able to pursue all of my interests — music, philosophy, humanities and science — and still be successful,” says Sam. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today or on the trajectory I am today, without the learning environment I was given at the UW.”

Part of the academic journey for Sam included time as a research assistant in Professor Thomas A. Reh’s laboratory in the Department of Biological Structure where research is underway to determine the regenerative potential of the retina. Next for Sam are plans to leverage this experience by studying spinal cord regeneration at the Center for Brain Repair at the University of Cambridge, England. His selection as a prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholar has propelled his quest to unlock these scientific mysteries.

Established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded on a student’s intellectual ability, leadership capacity and desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society by providing service to their communities and applying their talents and knowledge to improve the lives of others.

“If I was going to pursue science, I knew my goal was to do something big — why not try and reverse paralysis?” Although science motivates Sam, it’s the bigger picture of what reversing paralysis means that really motivates him. “Medical research appeals to me because of its capacity to help all people, wherever they might be in the world. Ultimately this is something that helps far more than just a few people. I like that.”

To help support students like Sam, make a gift to the UW Scholarship Fund.