The Caravan Celebrates Women in Science

By : Aya Aboshady

@Aya_Abuchadiee

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 and the upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8 The Caravan selected three women from AUC to talk about their passions and inspirations, and how they overcame obstacles on the path to success.

Microbiology professor Rania Siam, former chairwoman of the Biology Department, had a keen interest in infectious diseases early on. After she graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University, she joined the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Mcgill University in Montreal, Canada, where she earned her PhD in 2001.

Because Siam is really passionate about unanswered scientific anomalies she started conducting research on the microorganisms that live in the deep sea – known as “polyextremophiles” – where conditions are very harsh.

She and here research team are currently studying the unique microbial communities which survive under such conditions, and find ways to derive unique enzymes from them that can be used in biotechnology.

But just like every successful woman in any field, Siam had to fight her battles and overcome the obstacles she faced in her career.

“I’m actually proud of that part in my journey,” she stressed.

Moving back to Egypt from Canada, Siam was told she would never attain the Chairwoman position she worked so hard for, especially if she had no connections in the country.

Then there was the battle to secure funding for her research.

But with the guidance of the Dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering at the time, the late Medhat Haroun as well as the former Chair of the Biology Department, Hamza El Dorry, Siam was able to get over $6 Million for scientific research.

“You can be anything you want. You do not need to be one thing. You do not need to just be a scientist. You can be a scientist, a mother, a wife. All at once, if you want to,” Siam told The Caravan.

She also credited Professor Jehane Ragai, former chair of the Chemistry Department, who was a major source of inspiration for her as well as Asma Amleh, associate professor of Biology.

Siam talked about how proud she is that she was able to juggle being a mother, a wife and a successful woman in her career, at the same time. She emphasized on how hard it is to find the balance – especially with the societal barriers on working moms being able to excel at everything – but never impossible for whoever wants to do it.

“Just don’t be put down and don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot be,” Siam added.

It is the success stories of women like Siam which empower a new generation of women scientists like Shahd Fouad, 23, who is currently working on her Oncology PhD in Cancer Research at Oxford University.

Her research involves studying molecules in the body that control the resistance of cancer cells to radiation therapy in order to make radiotherapy more effective for cancer patients.

In 2017, Fouad graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Chemistry from AUC and then got her Masters from Cambridge University.

“I’m passionate about learning, both in my field of work and outside of it,” said Fouad.

Fouad is inspired the most by the journeys of all the strong women who did and are still doing their best to make the world a better place, whether it is medically, socially, artistically or economically.

Such as Dr. Shahenda El Naggar, Research Director at 57357 Hospital.

“I really want to add my name to that list. I also cannot wait to make a contribution. That’s my dream,” Fouad added.

After she gets her PhD, Fouad hopes to work in the pharma industry, specifically on targeted cancer therapies, which is her field of study.

The 23 year-old is partially crediting her love for science to some of her high school teachers and college professors.

“I think one of my biggest achievements is keeping it together and still being in the headspace I want even after facing many obstacles,” Fouad told The Caravan.

While working toward her Masters Degree, Fouad had a hard time getting her experiments to yield the results she was hoping for. She was very close to failure, and at times may have felt exasperated.

“Just keep your eyes on your main goal throughout the challenges you’re bound to face,” she added.

Eventually, her perseverance paid off as her experiments started to produce the results she had hoped for and she went on to earn her Masters degree in Chemistry.

If it’s perseverance and determination which helps these young scientists reach their goals then Mathematics senior Catherine Yassa, 21, surely has these traits.

Passionate about bridging the gap between science and creativity, Yassa’s studies focus on statistics and data analysis. But she is also working toward a writing minor because she feels that they go hand in hand.

Yassa stressed that she’s aiming to work at the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH),  where NASA has an extension called the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“I’m absolutely in love with nature, the whole idea of living in a sustainable environment and being a citizen of the Earth, I want to be able to communicate properly what NASA is doing to the world ” said Yassa.

Yassa knew she wanted to study science around middle school. She is more fascinated with studying the natural world than anything because she believes that with science, knowledge will live for centuries to come.

Yassa has always struggled with people telling her she won’t get anywhere especially with a degree in Mathematics. However, she never gave up, grateful for her father, who is both her backbone and inspiration.

Her father never pushed her into following his footsteps in architecture. Instead, he nurtured her love for science ever since she was a child.

Yassa said she is also inspired by Statistics Professor Zainab Amin, who’s been her mentor for over a year now and a big influence in her life.

“Whatever one’s passion in life, it would be a great shame if she – doesn’t follow it,” Yassa advised.

The three women all expressed how highly they think of the other strong and intelligent ladies in science who came before them, who had to fight against sexist stereotypes and social barriers.