
Age
19
Hobbies and interests
Painting and Studio Art
Reading
3D Modeling
Art
Agriculture
Biotechnology
Crafting
Crocheting
Engineering
Upcycling and Recycling
Sustainability
STEM
Aerospace
Cars and Automotive Engineering
Volunteering
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Research
Reading
Classics
Novels
Fantasy
Science
I read books multiple times per month
Mahazabin Akther
23x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
Winner
Mahazabin Akther
23x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
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 programMajors:
- Mechanical Engineering
Minors:
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Piscataway Township High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
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
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 University2026 – 2026AP Chemistry Teaching Assistant
Piscataway High School2023 – 20241 yearAdministrative Assistant
Columbia University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences2024 – 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 place2026 – PresentMaterials Engineering
Rutgers University — High School Science Competition Finalist, Presented poster on Improving Traditional Hydroponics Systems By Intertwining AI with Materials Science2024 – 2024Biochemistry, 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
Jewelry2020 – 2022Piscataway Teen Writers Guild
Visual ArtsGo 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 – 2023Volunteering
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 – 2024Volunteering
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