Najah Ahmed

Najah is so passionate about math, chemistry and physics that, while earning an associate degree at Mesa Community College, she sought out opportunities to tutor other students. She transferred to UC San Diego with a GPA of 3.85, and currently maintains a 3.75.

Najah loves attending college, but she also appreciates the value of real-world practice and has pursued hands-on opportunities to expand her knowledge. She’s completed three prestigious laboratory internships to date: one at the University of Chicago Institute for Molecular Engineering, another at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and a third at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center.

Najah’s work in these internships has ranged from immersion in terminologies, tools and techniques used in most labs, to optimizing a 3D paper-based device for the collection and analysis of tumor- derived exosomes. “I’ve become more interested in the cancer research field, and the experience I’ve gained has made me motivated and boosted my confidence to pursue an advanced degree in the future.”

Her journey to this point is an against-all-odds story. “My family fled Somalia because of civil war, and moved to Saudi Arabia where I was born. We were deported out of Saudi Arabia because we couldn't find someone to sponsor us after my father lost his job. We moved and lived in Syria as refugees until the civil war broke there.”

Though unable to attend college in Syria, she found ways to pursue meaningful work that would influence her future. In the refugee camp, she volunteered with the Syrian Arab Red Cross, “where I had the opportunity to help refugees like myself, yet who shared with me stories of the war they experienced in their countries, which were far worse than my own. It made me appreciate just breathing. I tried to help in any way, and I found a passion to help others.”

In camp, she taught children the disciplines of science and math that she had learned and studied. “Although the gesture was small, I felt so proud to contribute in any way I could, and it brought back the urge within me to pursue the education I’d put on hold.”

When Najah’s family emigrated to San Diego in 2013 she got her life and education back on track by enrolling in community college, then qualifying to transfer to UC San Diego. She is pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, and ultimately a career in drug discovery and development, “to solve complicated problems like cancer.”