Black Futures Month: Black in STEM
This month, we decided to catch up with 2 Black STEM students who are doing amazing things! Check out their stories and experiences below:
1. Hiba Taha (She/Her)
Program: M.Sc in Medical Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine | University of Toronto
Instagram: @neurobby_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiba-taha/
Why did you choose a STEM path?
From a very young age, I was fascinated by science and medicine. What was even more fascinating to me was how knowledgeable, poised, and professional individuals in STEM are. Many of them had an incredible ability to communicate science at many different levels. Although STEM is such a vastly large field, every individual I met seemed to have an exciting and deep passion for their line of work, which often left me in awe. It was then that I made it a goal of mine to embody that scientific excellence and someday be able to educate, mentor, and inspire students in the sciences, especially students who looked like me. What truly led me to STEM was the possibility of helping another person’s pain and providing them with an opportunity for a better or longer life. After taking my first neuroscience course during my third year of undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, I had a crucial moment of clarity – that is when I realized, this is what I want to study for the rest of my academic career. It is at this moment where my journey into studying the coolest organ in the body began.
What would you say to Black youth who are hesitant to enter STEM?
As with any other field, the journey will be hard. You will have a lot of low moments which may feel long but remember, you will also have many more great moments. It is in these low moments where you will grow, flourish, and get to know yourself better than you have known your entire life. It is also in these moments that you must remember you are not alone. You will find many fellow students, mentors, and professors who will support you through your journey. Seek the type of people you want to grow with, the type you want to become one day, and the type you can always fall back on. Through all your hard work, you will soon see the immense reward of finding your true passion, which is a feeling I cannot begin to describe in words. Whether or not you find the STEM field for you, you will always find your way in the end. Trust yourself, believe in yourself, and keep pushing through. You got this!
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I think about this question often because of the vast opportunities available in STEM that you may not be entirely aware of until you expand your network and communicate with other individuals in the field. Ultimately, I see myself continuing my current work and graduating from a PhD program in neuroscience. I see myself continuing to mentor and teach students in neuroscience, whether it be as a Teaching Assistant or Lecturer. Another goal of mine is to complete a post-doctoral fellowship program within the field of neurological disorders to deepen my understanding and aid in the discovery of therapeutic interventions for individuals with these disorders. As science is continuously changing with new discoveries made every day, who knows what it will look like in 10 years? That thought alone leaves me with great motivation and excitement for what’s to come.
2. Mosana Abraha (She/Her)
Program: B.Eng in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (iBiomed) | McMaster University
Instagram: @mosana.abraha
Website: https://nsbemac.com
Why did you choose a STEM path?
My high school STEM courses allowed me to appreciate my interest for problem solving and employing my critical thinking skills to apply my knowledge for any given problem. Engineering would not only help me fuel this interest but also exercise my skills towards impactful applications through the chemical and biomedical specialization. Further, I chose STEM because I fell in love with the vast career options – most skills acquired are transferable which provides you the freedom to switch roles, companies, industry, etc.
What would you say to Black youth who are hesitant to enter STEM?
It is completely normal to feel hesitant, you aren’t alone. A lot of students don’t know what exactly they want to do with their career even after graduating undergrad. It’s important to network and tap into to as many opportunities that can connect you with students who are currently pursuing STEM – a few black student run organizations at McMaster include: The National Society of Black Engineers McMaster Chapter (NSBEMac) and Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster (BAP-MAC). Finally, be honest with yourself, make sure to note what you do and don’t like as it will help you stay true to what fuels you and guide you to where your passions lie.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
This is a great question – if you asked me this a couple years ago, I might have actually had an answer already in mind. With that being said, in 5-10 years, I will be a NSBEMac alumni and I hope to continue fueling my passion for black youth STEM advocacy through hosting or helping with workshops for students and acting as a source of support/mentor for black engineering students.