What have you done so far to develop your Global Awareness? How do you plan to continue to work toward this goal? (For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.)

Considering my Egyptian culture, and my strong ties to people from many places around the world, I have always considered myself a very globally oriented person in that I do my best to stay informed and educated about the proceedings of the world. This year though, I had the opportunity to take this a step further by going on a Medlife service trip to Cusco Peru. It was inspiring to see what global public health could really mean in implementation. I always knew I wanted to help a less fortunate area of the world get access to medical care after I became a doctor, but this trip showed me how many factors affect the health of a society. The ways people eat, the water they drink, the places they live: these things all affect society and it was eye opening to see how Medlife clinic can integrate into these people’s lifestyles. I saw how many kids were in great pain for something as simple as parasites, or lack of access to pain killers. I saw the danger of having stray animals everywhere and children simply not being educated about the dangers. We learned about how impossible it is to get to college and surpass poverty because of minute government assistance. I also learned about warmth, and hospitality, and how people can be kind and accepting of a complete stranger and allow them into their house and share their food even when they have nothing themselves. This trip to Peru truly changed my life, and it has made an impact on how I perceive global medicine and how I would like to bring better healthcare to rural communities in Egypt and impoverished communities in the United States. While in the future it may not be feasible for me to go on another service mission abroad, I think I can do a lot of work learning and serving the poor communities in the U.S. and trying to learn more about the healthcare system in Egypt when I visit my family so that I may begin to understand the root causes.

What experiences have you had so far that have helped you to understand the research or creative process? How do you plan to continue to work toward this goal? (For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.)

Throughout my high school and early college career, my understanding of research had centered on writing research papers and reading articles and studies online. This was merely putting together the research that other people had done, and forming my own opinion based on their findings. This year I was able to take this a step further by being involved in a research lab. Initially,it was very difficult to get involved in research because PI’s were looking for people with previous experience, but I didn’t have previous experience. I am beyond grateful though that my continuous effort to find a lab paid off because I have learned a tremendous amount from the experience. In the beginning, the research I did was more following protocols and learning all the techniques that I hadn’t been exposed to in the past, whether that be staining, pcr, microscopy,  or handling of animals. In addition, by attending weakly lab meetings I was able to learn the language of research, and coupled with my neuroscience classes I began to understand the presentations much more clearly as well as the steps involved in research, what things can go wrong, and how you constantly have to trouble shoot. I also learned all the regulations involved in the research process and the care that has to be taken to insure accurate results.  Currently, I am moving towards the next step in my experience: beginning my own research project. I will be staying in Columbus over the summer as part of my STEP signature project and I will continue to work on this project and hopefully publish my results. In addition, as the other half of my STEP project I will try to attend a neuroscience national conference either as a presenter or a student. This will enable me to network with great minds in neuroscience and will expose me to novel research in the field I study everyday.

How does your Honors Contract demonstrate a commitment to the goal of Academic Enrichment? How does your planned curriculum relate to your future aspirations? (Consider, for example, the following questions: Why did you choose the major(s) (and minor(s), if any) you chose? Why did you select the GE courses you have chosen? How do your selections demonstrate a commitment to excellence?)

Initially, I had chosen to be a business Operations major. I thought that this major along with premed would prepare me for my goal of opening a hospital in Egypt, as well as improve my understanding of the increasing presence of business in medicine. What I found after a year in the major though, is that I wasn’t passionate about what I was learning. My mind yearned for the sciences that have always fascinated me, as well as the challenge associated with them. In addition, the advising and network of people I gained in business was not helping me towards my goal of medical school and medicine as much as the resources in neuroscience would. I concluded that neuroscience was a much better major for me and I would minor in public health to get exposure to global healthcare and if I needed, I could do and MBA. This year I have strongly felt the difference in classes. I am much happier with what I am studying and I want to work hard because I am extremely interested in the subject matter and how much I can apply it to life and my goals. When I was shadowing an endocrinologist, I understood what she was talking about regarding genetics because I had taken a genetics course. The information I learn in neuroscience helps me with my research, the information I learn in Psych will help me on the mcat and in my understanding of why patients act a certain way. My coursework will continue to be challenging as I aim to take graduate level courses in neuroscience next year that will challenge the way I think and force me to think critically and not simply memorize. In terms of GE’s, I tried to steer away from medicine. I wanted to take courses that would give me exposure to social issues rather than scientific issues and I have learned so much from them as a result. Through these courses I have been challenged to think about some of the social factors that impact people’s lives and in extension their health whether that be through institutionalized racism, gender roles, or inadequate access to basic human necessities. These are all things that are extremely important to know as a physician and an educated person and I am glad I got the opportunity to take these courses. Additionally, general education courses have forced me to write to a different audience and in a literary tone rather than a scientific tone which has been challenging, but it is necessary to be able to write to a common audience not just a scientific one.

With which activities are you involved? How does your involvement contribute to your development as a leader? How does your involvement relate to your personal and/or career goals?

Sometimes it seems to me as if I am too involved. I get a little bit frantic trying to juggle all the organizations I am involved in but the reward of being able to handle all of this is great. I am a part of Students Consulting for Non Profits, a club in which we work with different Columbus Non-Profits for a semester to fix a problem they face. These projects have ranged from marketing, to creating a system for in kind donations, to researching and prestentign optimal databases. This organization is great for me because I improve my social and professional skills through it. It also gives me an environment to think in a different way and to think about the best ways of being a leader, and a professional. At the same time, I am also being exposed to different non-profits and service organizations in the community that I can participate in as a volunteer in the future. I am also financial director of Cure, a new organization on campus. Cure raises funds for hospitals around the world, and our hospital specifically is located int the Philippines. Starting the Ohio State Chapter of this organization has not been easy and I have had to take on a lot of responsibility because our chapter growth has been small, but it always pays off to see the difference even a small amount of money can have on a kid. This organization also means a lot to me personally because they have a clinic in Egypt and this directly relates to my desire to take on the issue of public health and inadequate healthcare to medicine in rural, as well as impoverished areas in Egypt. Through the organization I have learned about a lot of the challenges that the people face as well ways to combat them. I am also involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. This organization has given me a lot of service opportunities, especially by being part of the service committee and planning my own events as well as attending mandatory leadership events every semester. These have introduced me to best practices of being a successful leader as well as wonderful events that have educated me about various issues in society, and healthcare. Finally, through Muslim Students Association, I have learned about the type of leader I want to be and it has given me the opportunity to find a network of people that encourages me to be the best person and best leader I can be. In the future I hope to hold leadership positions in this organization as well as Phi Delta Epsilon and Chimes Junior Class honorary which I have just joined.

List the service-oriented activities with which you have been involved (both ongoing and short-term commitments). How do you plan to continue to engage with the community?

I am a volunteer at James Cancer Hospital Restful Nights which is ongoing as well as a volunteer in many organizations with Alpha Phi Omega like Homework help and Ronald McDonald House. Additionally I try to volunteer at the free clinics whenever I have the opportunity and I hope to do a lot more service their as well as at riverside hospital over the summer.

On a short term basis I did service in Cusco Peru over winter break for 1o days, and I try to do any days of service that the University has.  When I am in Egypt I volunteer their making bags for Ramadan. I will also volunteer with Phi Delta Epsilon and Chimes in the future to increase my service hours and variety.