Former Spelling Bee Champ Fulfilling Curiosity in Medicine

By ChaseYavondaC

Second-year medical student Nupur Lala, who won the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly putting together the letters of the early-20th century Greek term, claims she occasionally suffers from the condition.

Lala, 30, may have a lot to say, but none of her diction could ever be described as incoherent.

A 14-year-old pupil at the time, her spelling bee crown precipitated an intellectual curiosity no amount of knowledge could extinguish.

“I had a curiosity after that that I was ultimately looking to fulfill in medicine where there is something new to learn every day,” said Lala.

She pursued and nourished her inquisitiveness with a bachelor’s degree in brain behavior and cognitive science at the University of Michigan. Then, she spent three years working in a lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, which was followed by a stint at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and a master’s in cancer biology.

Ultimately, it all led her back to medical school at UAMS in a state she called home throughout her teenage years in high school. Now, she spends her days on campus, constantly learning in some form or fashion.

“From 9 a.m. to sundown, I’m usually either in class or studying,” she said. “Many evenings go far past my old bedtime. They keep you busy here, that’s for sure.”

The experience has left an impression on Lala, who said the UAMS faculty and students are dedicated to improving health care.

“It’s a close-knit school,” said Lala. “At UAMS, everyone, from the faculty to the students, works together to create a culture where all can succeed.”

Lala has also left an impression on her peers and teachers at UAMS.

“Nupur is the kind of student who every instructor would enjoy teaching,” said Jason Chang, Ph.D., an associate professor of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences. “Once she comprehends something, she shows her gratitude and it makes you remember why you’re an instructor.”

In her time at UAMS, Lala has developed a growing affection for primary care and is considering an internal medicine residency after medical school. Even though she has not yet decided on a specialty, her education should provide her the opportunity to be able to treat a wide array of patients.

“One thing UAMS does is focus on making you a clinician that can work in any setting, from a rural clinic to an academic institution,” she said. “UAMS has broadened my horizon because of the quality of teaching and the enthusiasm the faculty shows the students.”

To make room for all the information that comes along with being a medical student, Lala admits there’s certain information she’s had to force out to make room.

But don’t expect the word logorrhea to become a casualty anytime soon. It may help she’s constantly asked to spell it.

“It’s funny, one of the things that happens as a medical student, you find out your brain only has so much space so you begin to push out things you don’t need,” she said.

“So, I’ve definitely forgotten how to spell words I used to know, but logorrhea is one word I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It changed my life.”