Aisha Fakhroo, Class of 2019
Aisha Fakhroo, Class of 2019

CMU-Q’s bio sci program provided meaning, inspiration for 2019 grad Aisha Fakhroo

As we approach Graduation 2019, we are looking at just a few of the 78 graduating seniors who are finishing their undergraduate degrees and beginning careers in business, science and technology. Today we profile Aisha Fakhroo, who was selected as one of two Andrew Carnegie Society Scholars for the Class of 2019. Aisha will graduate with a degree in biological sciences.

When Aisha Fakhroo chose to study biological sciences, she thought she was headed toward a career in medicine. But once she was introduced to the lab experience, her plans began to shift. “I found genetics research so interesting, especially the problem solving and coming up with new ideas. Studying biological sciences doesn’t restrict you to a certain path, it’s a foundation that broadens your choices.”

During her undergraduate years, a close family member of Aisha’s was diagnosed with cancer. She noticed that within her studies, there were many opportunities for her to study the mechanisms that cause cancer, the impact of cancer diagnoses, and different areas of therapeutic research.

One of Aisha’s most profound learning experiences was her volunteer work at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research at Hamad Medical Corporation. Aisha had taken a class in health psychology at CMU-Q, where the students explored the psychological impact of undergoing cancer treatment.

“When people think of cancer, they don’t necessarily think of psychological processing. We don’t often talk about it in the Qatari culture. I wanted to explore psychological well-being among cancer patients and I was so fortunate to work with some patients who were very open and willing to share.”

For her senior college honors thesis, Aisha also chose a cancer-related topic. Working with assistant teaching professor of biological sciences Ihab Younis, she investigated a tumor suppressor gene and its regulation in breast cancer.

After graduation, Aisha will work with the Qatar Ministry of Defense, and long term, she is planning on graduate studies. Wherever her career takes her, Aisha credits CMU-Q with a broader, more open perspective.

“When I started at CMU-Q, it was a new environment for me. I was a shy person, not an extrovert, but CMU-Q has helped me a lot to expand my thinking. I’ve grown to become a more flexible and an open-minded person.”

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