Religion and Kinesiology Majors | Lovett College

Siddhant Patil, a native from Houston, TX, is a junior at Lovett College majoring in Religion and Kinesiology on a pre-med track. Passionate about scientific research, he is an undergraduate research assistant at the Xue Gao Lab, assisting in the discovery of microbiome-based natural products and enzymes involved in natural product biosynthesis. Interested in the study of the humanities as well, Siddhant has taken many religion classes and focused his interest on investigating how religious beliefs, practices, and cultural contexts intersect with the realm of healthcare. His studies have also led him to contemplate the role of spirituality in the healing process and how diverse faith traditions approach matters of health and well-being.

In his free time, Siddhant enjoys playing the violin as part of Aag, Rice’s South Asian music ensemble, as well as going to the gym, cooking, and spending time outdoors. He also remains active in Lovett College as part of the Properties Committee and as an O-Week Advisor. Siddhant stays connected to his faith by teaching the Bhagavad Gita to teenagers at a Sunday School in the Greater Houston Area, and having been exposed to a variety of religious experiences from a young age, he aims to introduce religion in a way that fosters a deeper understanding of how diverse faith traditions relate to contemporary life. After graduating, Siddhant aims to pursue a career in medicine: “Hoping to bridge the gap between medicine and spirituality, I imagine a future where healthcare is guided by not only a strong emphasis on scientific advancement but also on compassionate care that is rooted in deep cross-cultural understanding.”

Humanities Research Interests: Exploring the Impact of Religious Beliefs on Healthcare Decision-Making and the Role of Spirituality in Patient Well-Being.