Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa

Research mentor: Michelle Howard, PhD (Radiation Oncology)
Research topic: The investigation of novel therapeutic agents in combination with radiation therapy to treat the pediatric neural cancer, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

Background: I would consider West Des Moines, Iowa to be my home away from home, my true home being Baghdad, Iraq. After beginning my undergraduate studies at Des Moines Area Community College, I started at University of Iowa in fall 2020 and completed my Bachelors of Science degree (Neuroscience major) in May 2024. My interest in cancer research was sparked as an undergraduate working in the Howard lab. Learning about the complexity of the disease as well as its relationship to various pathways in the human body fostered a curiosity within me that could only be tamed by the pursuit of answers through my own research. 

My future goals are to become a surgeon through the MD/PhD route and continue growing my nonprofit organization to aid refugee/immigrant students and families take root of their new lives in the United States. As a first-generation immigrant myself I understand the confusion and frustration that comes with the identity. I hope to serve as a bridge between dreams and reality for people like myself by furthering my academic career and giving back to my community. In my free time I love to cook, weight-train, read books, and make art of any media.