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Mahazabin Akther

23x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am a Questbridge Scholar studying Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University. I’m grateful for the generous financial aid I’ve received, allowing me to attend college without overwhelming my family. I’m seeking scholarships to offset remaining costs not covered by grants. Growing up in a low-income household shaped my values around sustainability, and community. My parents’ resourcefulness taught me that innovation begins with maximizing what we already have. These early lessons sparked my interest in engineering as a way to design efficient, human-centered systems that improves lives. At Columbia, I work part-time and am a member of FSAE, where I collaborate with peers on automotive design. I’m especially interested in applying my education to fields like robotics, biotechnology, and vehicles that enhance accessibility. Whether improving the design of a car or a tool to support physical mobility, I’m driven by the idea of machines working in service of people. My goal is to become a project manager in engineering, leading a team that values sustainability. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Mechanical Engineering
  • Minors:
    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering

Piscataway Township High School

High School
2020 - 2024

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Industrial Engineering
    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

    • Dream career goals:

      Engineer, Project Manager, or Researcher

    • Research Assistant; TA for Robotics Course for Summer Pre-college Program

      Columbia University
      2026 – 2026
    • AP Chemistry Teaching Assistant

      Piscataway High School
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Administrative Assistant

      Columbia University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
      2024 – Present2 years

    Research

    • Mechanical Engineering

      Columbia University — Research Assistant, assist with dissections and preparing eyes for laser treatment, designed a suction ring to hold eyes in place
      2026 – Present
    • Materials Engineering

      Rutgers University — High School Science Competition Finalist, Presented poster on Improving Traditional Hydroponics Systems By Intertwining AI with Materials Science
      2024 – 2024
    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

      American Chemical Society Project SEED + Rutgers University — Research Intern; Discussed scientific literature with PI and ran chromatography experiments as part of a larger project focusing on modifying ATP to "glow" and create a new diagnostic tool for cancer.
      2023 – 2023

    Arts

    • Small business

      Jewelry
      2020 – 2022
    • Piscataway Teen Writers Guild

      Visual Arts
      Go BIG!, All is Not Lost, CELEBRATE!, I was a co-author and artist in all productions, and the cover illustrator in "CELEBRATE!"
      2020 – 2023

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Piscataway Public Libraries — Summer Reading Program Volunteer : Signing families up for summer reading and keeping track of their milestones, encouraging reading habits among children. Outside of summer, I organized books in the children's section as a library page.
      2022 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      National English Honors Society — Academic tutor; Helping peers with assignments like essays in the afterschool tutoring program, advertising the Writing Center, and reading to elementary students to foster literacy.
      2022 – 2024
    • Volunteering

      Science National Honors Society — Academic Tutor; Tutored peer in AP Chemistry, doubling her exam scores, organized experiments for elementary students, and ran electronic waste drives.
      2022 – 2024

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship