Hello, there! I am a recent PhD graduate of the Biophysics program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Prior to my graduate studies, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Bioengineering at the University of California in Santa Cruz. At the age of ten, I immigrated to the United States with my family from Kabul, Afghanistan. After moving to the United States, I realized the invaluable opportunity I had been blessed with in being able to gain an education, and thus strived to take full advantage of it by following my childhood passions for science and pedagogy.
Starting in high school and continuing into graduate school, I have volunteered and mentored students from various backgrounds to aid them in achieving academic success. As an undergraduate student, I served as a mentor for freshmen engineering students. I helped the mentees plan their course loads, schedule their academic milestones, and endure the rigorous engineering program. As a volunteer at a charter school in Detroit, I coached underrepresented students in mathematics to compete in Olympiads and excel in their courses. As a graduate instructor, I taught several courses in Biophysics, including intro and upper level courses and labs. Concurrent to my teaching duties, I mentored undergraduate students to gain research experience in the lab and prepare applications for graduate studies. These experiences gave me ample opportunity to work with students individually and in groups, aiming to support and guide them through courses and navigating future careers. My interest in teaching has always accompanied my fascination for science, which has led me to continue working with students throughout my academic career.
In my leisure time, I maintain a regular meditation practice in my day and contemplate on Persian mystical poetry. I also take every opportunity to hike and explore the outdoors when my schedule allows. Additionally, I enjoy practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to increase my strength and focus.