About Me

I am currently majoring in neuroscience and considering minoring or double majoring in biochemistry. I chose neuroscience due to my fascination in the human brain, and my desire to tread paths of discovery no one has, considering how little we know about the brain and it's many mysteries. I am currently a second year student on track for Pre-Medicine.

My Experiences and Skills

As of now, my experiences mainly consist of manual and volunteer work like jobs. I mowed lawns and shoveled snow independently for my neighbors for a period of two years in high school, free of charge. Additionally, i took part in several volunteer experiences including setting up an interfaith event set up by my high school Muslim Student Association l as well as organizing and contributing to three different fundraising events (Canned Goods Drive, Pasta Bowl, Necessities Drive). All of the proceeds from these events went directly to food pantries and shelters in the community around us. Through these experiences, I learned that working, especially to the betterment of your community and the world around you, doesn't always need to be rewarded or recognized. Helping those in need is always an imperative service, and it just reinforced my desire to become a doctor since the work a doctor does is not supposed to be recognized.

Hamilton Southeastern Muslim Student Association Insignia.

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Logo.

During my time on campus, I have volunteered with the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IMM) to help guide and encourage marathon runners as well as any pedestrians nearby. I have also been a part of the Neuroscience Club, the IUPUI MSA, and the Middle Eastern Student Association here on campus.

I am also a recitation leader for the Peer Led Team Learning Program (PLTL) in chemistry. In this program, I guide students through a series of challenging chemistry related problems, and help them find the right methods to solve them while also making sure to not completely give them the answer. This opportunity has allowed me to gain more footing as a leader in my community and field, which will prove valuable in my future endeavors. Through these opportunities, I have learned what it means to be a role model for others, and how to guide future generations in their endeavors and passions while also leaving an impact on their community.

I am a part of the Honors Peer Mentoring program, which helps incoming Honors College students adapt and learn what college is like and to help students find an appropriate balance of their social lives as well as their academic lives. This experience has allowed me to gain insight from the perspectives of multiple different people from varying backgrounds about their college experience as well as their future hopes and aspirations. I have also learned how to guide and advise other individuals with regards to their decisions and future life choices, which was always a weak point of mine which I am glad I was able to work on.

In my time in this lab, I have developed several new skills. I now am able to complete many procedures including bisulfite conversions (used to detect methylated cytosine base pairs in a genome), immunohistochemistry with both OCT and paraffin coverings (used to stain and mount samples for further analysis and testing), and an array of sample analyses including collagen grading and colocalization of different genetic markers (both used to determine whether certain treatments have had the hypothesized results or not). I have also learned how to operate a cryotome, which is the tool used in the process of cutting micrometer thin samples of skin and placing them onto slides for further processing and analysis. I am also adept in using many image analysis programs including ZEN imaging and ImageJ to find results such as colocalization of two gene markers or the intensity of a gene marker in a particular location on a sample.

This is me using the cryotome to obtain a viable sample of skin.

In terms of my strengths and areas to work on, there are several of both. Through constant moves and changes in my life, I have gained the ability to adapt and learn new skills or tasks quickly. For example, in my current LHSI lab, I was able to learn the processes and setups behind a PCR procedure in less than a week through constant practice and study into how the process works. This skill is especially useful in things I find enjoyable such as working in the lab, which is why I dedicate myself so vehemently when it comes to learning each of the procedures required of me. An area which I need to grow in is my creative thinking and desire to think outside of the box. More often than not, when a solution isn't immediately present, I tend to become demotivated and frustrated looking for one. I want to be able to think of an unconventional solution on the fly, which is a skill that I need to teach myself and learn from others.

Teamwork

With regards to my strengths as a part of the team, I usually contribute in my ability to effectively communicate. I am always upfront in terms of me and my team's performance on our projects. When our work is well done and efficiently completed, I commend my team and also make sure to motivate the team. Additionally, I try to look for out of the box ideas and try to innovate the team's thinking in order to advance our team and make a memorable project. Finally, I am great at keeping the team motivated, even in the face of adversity. A team is only so when each of its members is dedicated to propelling the others forward into success, and I try to keep my mindset that way no matter what team I am a part of.

The experiences I mentioned above taught me a lot of what it means to be a part of a team. For example, being a part of the MSA Interfaith event at my high school taught me how important it is to collaborate with members of your community whilst also learning about each others differences and similarities and building upon them to further the success of everyone involved. I also learned through the different charitable events I participated in how essential working with a team and encouraging your community to contribute is. The statement that "teamwork makes the dreamwork" is sorely understated. The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon was also an event which heavily emphasized the importance of teamwork for me, since all of the volunteers for the event played a crucial role in diverting traffic or pedestrians as well as encouraging the runners to press forward.

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