Dressed in an immaculate lab coat, tool in hand, and eyes intensely focused on the bone of interest, Mihir Dixit (12) lightly traces the scalpel across the sternum of his “patient,” Mr. Bones, the skeleton in Dr. Matthew Harley’s room. His face is tense with concentration as he, without looking up, explains how it helps protect vital organs from trauma suddenly breaks out into an easy grin after having been asked a question about the heart. He nods his head, pondering the question for a few seconds, before enthusiastically replying with a clear response.

From a young age, Mihir has shown an obvious fascination in all things biology, but especially the heart, for which his interest grew immensely back in eighth grade. Later, in high school, Mihir was able to harness his passion for the human heart and use it to carry out a series of research projects that enabled him to delve deeper into the inner-workings of the heart and a specific condition in people who receive restricted blood flow from their lungs. Through his research, he was able to find satisfaction in the fact that he could change people’s lives for the better.

“I think of research as a cave of sorts. A dark, dark cave where few people ever explore. And if you have a flashlight, you’re shining the light on different parts of the cave. It’s a cheesy analogy, but it works. Just the idea that I can uncover new things every day and use what I learn to apply it to real life is incredibly satisfying to me. By shining a light on even a small rock in the cave, I can help bring change and more good into this world,” Mihir said.

This is one aspect that his friends have noticed: Mihir holds any new research or books concerning the heart in the highest regard. Longtime friend Vishnu Jaisim (12) is one friend who notes the importance of research to Mihir.

“Just by talking with Mihir about any … research, you can literally see the passion in his eyes. Not just his biology research, he always loves to learn more about different topics we learn in class like game theory and [psychology] — and that’s something I don’t think many people do — learn for the sake of loving to learn. That’s Mihir,” Vishnu said.

But when Mihir is not at his lab researching or at the library leafing through books about hearts, one can find him at the San Jose Regional Medical Center, as the lead volunteer who facilitates the physicians by transporting vital materials and guiding the families of patients.

Although his role as a student volunteer at his local hospital primarily involves obtaining the sufficient materials for different patients, Mihir feels that serving the patient isn’t all that’s necessary. In the past, he has found that even just a simple conversation with the family or friends of the patient serves to give them substantially more than a glimmer of hope during a time of great despair and helplessness.

Mihir’s empathy does not only show through his desire to step up for his community but also his impulses to always be there and support friends.

“Whenever you need to talk to him about something, he’ll always be listening and paying attention to what you say. There isn’t really a real standout experience I have with him because every moment spent with him makes you feel understood and cared about. I can hit him up at 3 a.m. to talk about anything going on in life. And he’s the kind who will willingly … guide me through whatever conflict I’m going through,” close friend Matthew Jiang (12) said.

Other than his empathy, Mihir’s friends value him for not only his laid-back personality but also his kind and caring attitude to anyone who needs it. Mihir’s friend Mihir Sharma (12) recognized this “admirable” quality in him since the day he met Mihir.

“When I first met Mihir, I thought, ‘Oh boy, there’s another kid like me.’ You know like: same name, plays tennis too, born three days before me, pretty [good-looking]. But he’s never given me an opportunity to feel threatened because he always wants what’s best for other people. This guy, he’ll be your biggest fan … and he’ll fight for you if you need him to. That’s the biggest thing about him for me,” Sharma said. 

At the end of the day, Mihir strives to make an impact in the world, whether it be through his volunteering, research or even his empathy. 

“I want to be known as an approachable guy who had a sense of decency — and I don’t mean that as though I had a lack of it during high school,” Mihir said. “I just want people to know that if they ever need my help, I’ll always be there for them. Even if it’s just to sit down, relax and share a [soda].”