ARJUN PATEL
ANTHROPOLOGY ANALYST
Projects
Selected highlights of my interests and explorations
Research That Connects Body, Culture, and Ethics
At the heart of my research is a deep curiosity about what makes us human: biologically, socially, and ethically.
My work spans multiple disciplines, from exploring the ethical implications of the human genome to identifying patterns in neurobiology that shape behavior, memory, and identity. I’ve also studied the intersections of food, immigration, and society, how what we eat reflects where we come from, how we adapt, and how communities are built across borders. Through each of these threads runs a common question: How do science, culture, and lived experience shape one another? Whether in the lab, the kitchen, or the clinic, I aim to explore the spaces where systems meet stories, and to try to publish work that not only informs, but invites reflection by the reader.
Research
Bioethics and Humanity
Scientific Research: "Advancing VLCAD Treatment: The Future Role of Targeted CRISPR-Cas9 Therapy"
Published in: Issue 47 February 2025 Part 2 of the Curieux Academic Journal (page 202)
Blog Post: The Human Genome and the Possibility of Curing Rare Diseases
Immigration and Society
Ellis Island: Where Hope Meets Judgement
An analysis of a historical institution and what acceptance really means!
More Research
Coming Soon!
Art in Many Forms
It’s in the meals I cook, the clothes I stitch, the poems I perform, and the stories I bring to life on stage.
My art has always lived beyond the canvas. As a painter, I’ve created works for and with my community. As a poet, I’ve found power in spoken word and shared spaces. As a self-taught seamster, I’ve completed over 100 handmade projects, each one an exploration of color, texture, and form, which can in turn be used to uplift others in my community. I’ve taught in the kitchen, written recipes rooted in memory and culture, and embraced performance through acting, dance, and music. This portfolio is a snapshot that reflects my multidisciplinary interests, a space where expression takes many shapes, but always comes from the same place: a love for creativity, connection, and craft.
Art Portfolio
Artist
Two time artist for painted pole display for Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Visitor's Center!
Community artist for bunny exhibit in downtown Lexington, Massachusetts!
Designed original wire sculptures of birds to be displayed in gardens throughout the Greater Boston Area to promote saving endangered birds!
Maker
Sewing: Self-taught seamster, sewing 100+ projects, clothes and gifts, with a pop-up shop coming near you!
Cooking: Chef, cooking instructor and recipe book author!
Robotics: Member of Hands for Hope initiative at Meadowbrook School making prosthetic hands for those in need!
Poet
Honorable mention in haiku competition hosted by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and invited to a poetry reading at the Lexington Depot!
Two time performer of original poetry at The Meadowbrook School of Weston's annual coffee house!
Performer
Actor: Selected for solo role and stunt in Meadowbrook's play Madagascar!
Dancer: Interstate Bollywood dance troupe performer, performing at a variety of venues, including Boston City Hall Plaza!
Musician: Performed as a solo artist playing each of trumpet and tabla in community musical concerts!
Lifting Voices, Growing Change
It’s about turning up the volume on voices that are not always easy to hear.
My advocacy begins with listening and leads to action. I work to uplift voices that are often unheard such as: people living with rare diseases, neighbors growing compost gardens, those calling for diversity in local government, and towns fighting to preserve culture, and care for our neighbors. Whether it’s saving teeth as a symbol of health and dignity, protecting endangered birds who live in our neighborhoods, or preserving history and heritage, I see advocacy as cultural stewardship that is like threading small voices with strong roots in our community. I'm driven by my personal experiences and thoughts on equality and compassion. I believe it is our everyday lives that shape who we are and who we can become.
Lifting Voices, Growing Change
It’s about turning up the volume on voices that are not always easy to hear.
My advocacy begins with listening and leads to action. I work to uplift voices that are often unheard such as: people living with rare diseases, neighbors growing compost gardens, those calling for diversity in local government, and towns fighting to preserve culture, and care for our neighbors. Whether it’s saving teeth as a symbol of health and dignity, protecting endangered birds who live in our neighborhoods, or preserving history and heritage, I see advocacy as cultural stewardship that is like threading small voices with strong roots in our community. I'm driven by my personal experiences and thoughts on equality and compassion. I believe it is our everyday lives that shape who we are and who we can become.
Strengthening our Collective Health Infrastructure
As someone who plays sports, I’ve seen how quickly accidents can happen, especially injuries like knocked-out teeth. While that might seem like a routine part of athletics, it actually reveals a lot about how different communities prepare for and respond to emergencies. Save-A-Tooth kits are more than just medical devices, they reflect cultural values around health, bodily integrity, and collective care. These small, portable kits contain a special solution that helps preserve a knocked-out tooth until a dentist can properly reimplant it. What’s fascinating is how such tools connect biology with social practice. In many communities, the availability of basic emergency resources like this can impact long-term health outcomes and shape community norms around injury and response. To help support local efforts and encourage better preparedness, I donated Save-A-Tooth kits to the nursing departments at nearby schools and summer camps. I also shared clear instructions and encouraged staff to review and adapt their first aid protocols. This small action aims to strengthen our collective community health infrastructure, which means the everyday systems we rely on to care for one another. Sports, play, and injury are shared human experiences. But how we handle those moments speaks volumes about our values and social organization. Let’s keep our communities informed, our first aid practices up to date, and our smiles intact.
Check out my blog post.
Advocacy
Why Community Compost Gardens Matter To Me
I started a community compost garden in my cousin’s neighborhood because I care about the environment and my cousin who has struggled with seasonal pollen allergies for years. What began as a simple effort to reduce food waste quickly became a way to support health, build community, and reconnect with the land.
As I learned more, I discovered that healthy soil is rich in microbes that can actually strengthen our immune systems. This idea, known as the “hygiene hypothesis,” suggests that exposure to soil and natural environments may help reduce allergies and other immune-related issues. Inspired by studies showing that kids raised around farms tend to have fewer allergies, I wanted to bring that kind of microbial diversity into our urban neighborhood. So, I built the garden, invited neighbors to contribute compost, and shared the science behind it. I also saw the project as a way to revive overlooked traditions of land stewardship involving care for the earth and caring for each other. Our compost garden is now more than just a way to recycle food scraps. It’s a space for community, learning, and healing, one scrap at a time.
Sources:
NIH, “The Hygiene Hypothesis”: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232924
Farm Effect Study: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23728332
Check out my blog post.
Speaking up, One Neighborhood Conversation
In November 2021, Lexington passed a bylaw to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, starting with commercial landscapers in 2025 and residents in 2026. When some landscapers pushed back, trying to rally opposition by calling the change costly and inconvenient, I chose to speak up. As a student, I know how disruptive the constant noise can be, especially when trying to study at home. So I took the opportunity to represent the voices of young people in my neighborhood who are often left out of these conversations. Instead of arguing, I had real conversations. I explained the long-term benefits of quieter, cleaner electric equipment, not just for students, like me, but for the whole community to my neighborhood landscaper. In fact, I took the time to help our landscaper see that he had time to plan ahead and protect his business while also protecting our environment. This experience taught me that change doesn’t always come from big speeches or crowds, it can start with a single conversation. Speaking up matters. No matter your age, your voice can influence decisions and shift perspectives. This ordinance may seem like a small step, but it’s a meaningful one toward cleaner air, quieter neighborhoods, and a healthier future for all of us.
Supporting Others and Building Connections
I believe everyone deserves a voice in our community, which is why I supported my neighborhood "aunty" when she ran for town government. She wasn’t just any candidate, she was someone I grew up with, who brought us sweets on Diwali and hosted dinner parties that felt like family. Her decision to run for the Select Board meant a lot to me, because it showed how people from all backgrounds can step up and lead. During her campaign, I helped spread the word by talking to friends, classmates, and even parents in our neighborhood. My family and I shared her story and values, and it made a difference because she was elected! Her win wasn’t just personal; it was a meaningful step forward for diversity and representation in Lexington. It showed me how powerful it is when our leaders reflect the full range of voices in our town. Inspired by her courage and leadership, I pitched and launched an Asian Affinity Group at my school. I wanted to create a space where students could connect over shared experiences, explore cultural identity, and feel seen. Just like my "aunty" made space for herself, and for others, at the town level, I wanted to make a space for students at school who could regularly come together and bond. Supporting her campaign helped me realize that building community is not just about who is in power, but it is about who feels empowered to speak, lead, and belong. Whether it is through civic engagement or starting something new in your own school, everyone can make a difference when they choose to show up for others.