A decade from now, Mei ElGindi hopes to have earned her doctorate and be running her own research laboratory. She’ll be one step closer to that goal on Monday, when she graduates among the first six students in Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s Biological Sciences program.
During her time at Carnegie Mellon Qatar, ElGindi has had the chance to develop a variety of skills that will help make her dream become a reality, including educating high school students on correct laboratory techniques. She has also worked on research that will help control the effects of secondary fungal infections in Qatari hospitals and clinics.
“It is an absolute honor to be one of the first students graduating from the biological sciences program. We have had the privilege of becoming role models to the younger students – not only to the current juniors and freshmen, but the future generations, too. We are the pioneers,” ElGindi said.
The biological sciences program, which welcomed its first six students in 2011, is set to mark the graduation of its first undergraduate class on Monday, May 6, at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Carnegie Mellon Qatar’s bachelor of science degree in biological sciences is a rigorous, quantitative course of study that requires substantial laboratory experience. This equips students for biological sciences graduate programs, medical school or careers in government, industry and academic research laboratories.
Prior to CMU-Q, ElGindi attended Weil Cornell Medical College in Qatar for two years where she completed the pre-medical program. Her research project at Carnegie Mellon Qatar involves the adherence of pathogenic fungi from the Qatari clinical setting. This research will contribute to limiting the effects of secondary infections by fungi in hospitals and clinics, which can be particularly problematic for people with diabetes or compromised immune systems.
Ilker Baybars, dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, commented, “I am very pleased with the success of our Biological Sciences program, and the interest from prospective students in Qatar and the region. The program is a testament to Carnegie Mellon’s commitment to furthering the Qatar National Vision 2030 and creating a knowledge-based economy. Graduates from the biological sciences program will be uniquely qualified to develop solutions to important problems in fields such as biotechnology, health care and global health.”
The biological sciences program, the latest addition to the programs offered at Carnegie Mellon Qatar, was launched in 2011, and is offered in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. The program uses interdisciplinary approaches to tackle some of today’s most important scientific problems, and provides students with the critical thinking skills necessary for modern research biology.
