Disney has the incredible ability to create enchanting stories that resonate across generations and cultures. Coming from an immigrant family, I have sometimes struggled to fit in, but always found comfort in Disney’s stories. As I watched and rewatched “Lilo and Stitch” I understood the value of family, and the sacrifices my parents made for my sister and me to have a better life. This story and countless others have transported me to worlds bursting with timeless lessons and limitless possibilities. I'm currently on the pre-med path with plans to apply to MD-PhD programs, and I've always been drawn to tales of unwavering determination. My dream is to save lives while pursuing both medicine and research. I can say with confidence that Disney has given me the courage to reach for goals I wouldn't have dared to imagine otherwise. From my childhood to now, Disney stories have taught me life lessons and enduring values I strive to carry with me always. They have encouraged me to always be empathetic, kind, resilient, and to pursue my dreams. With my education, I hope to aid underserved communities and improve healthcare access for everyone. Growing up with stories full of empathy and kindness has fostered my passion for helping others and the desire to make a lasting difference. I'm a first-generation college student, and going to medical school would be a monumental accomplishment not just for me, but for my entire family. Despite the challenges I've faced, Disney has ingrained in me the belief that chasing dreams is always worthwhile, no matter their size. I'm resolute in not only graduating college but also attending medical school. Disney tales have demonstrated that courage, persistence, and a touch of magic can conquer any obstacle. These stories have been a guiding light in my life, motivating me to strive for excellence in my academic career, while remaining true to my identity and values. Disney is more than just entertainment. What I love most about Disney is its consistent ability to reignite my sense of wonder, urging me to explore uncharted realms of creativity and learn from the resilience and determination of characters and stories. To me, Disney signifies a testament to the strength of storytelling and the persistence of dreams. As I anticipate the journey ahead, I'm excited to carry with me the lessons, values, and inspiration I've gained from Disney. This scholarship is an opportunity to honor the profound impact Disney has had on my life and further nurture my affection for the stories and experiences that have molded me into the person I am today.

I fell in love with medicine through my love of science. Throughout my education, I always struggled with my math and science courses - I felt them to be disjointed and thought they lacked relevance in everyday life. I knew they were important, but I could not get myself to care. As I was applying to universities, I decided to research various university faculty and came across a Professor at MIT who created his own bionic leg. Not only was he able to control his leg, sensors on the bottom of the foot were able to transmit pulses so he could feel the ground as he walked. This was all conveyed to me in a five-minute video. I can’t say I remember the remarkable professor who completed this feat, but I do remember that I was in awe. I had never thought that science could do such a thing - it all just seemed straight out of a science fiction novel. Through this very short video, science suddenly gained new meaning for me, and with science, I saw its application in the field of healthcare. When I look towards medicine, innovation seems endless, and opportunity exists to help millions. With my education, I plan to apply to MD-PhD programs, where I will be able to incorporate my research, and my ideas, to help my patients. As I got to University, I became drawn to the concept of bionic limbs, and synthetic organs. I got the opportunity to work at a biomedical research lab focused on using bioprinting printing for regenerative medicine. My experience there only strengthened my desire to be involved in science and medicine. For me, the most significant part of my experience was the chance to listen and talk to the postdocs and PhD students at the lab. The postdoc for whom I was a research assistant was studying possible ways to create synthetic skin. One PhD student cultivated neuronal cells to help with degenerative neurological diseases, while another 3D printed collagen-based structures to replace damaged cartilage in patients. Talking to the researchers there instilled in me the desire to follow their path. During my time there, I gained the confidence needed to conduct my own experience and learn as much as I could from the researchers there. I want to continue to continue this trajectory of learning and gain the necessary funding to complete my undergraduate years. From my experiences, I have become fascinated by the human body, and even more interested in how technology can be used to replicate it. Not only this, the applications of medical research will help an innumerable number of people. I once heard an MD-PhD student say “Every doctor wants to find a cure for cancer”. I want to do this and more. While the likelihood of me finding a cure for cancer is debatable, I want to be a part of the process. I understand that the scientific process is collaborative and happens in steps. In whatever way possible, I want to be one of the scientists who contribute to the never-ending progress of research. Being a first-generation college student, every step of my education has been something new and unexpected. The struggle of simply applying to colleges seemed unsurmountable. Now that I have gotten over that barrier, I want to do all that I can to graduate and pursue my MD-PhD. My parents are immigrants who have done everything they can for me to get an education. My success is also my family’s success, and I hope that one day I will stand as a physician-scientist.

Growing up as a Muslim, my parents have always emphasized the importance of education and seeking knowledge. The saying, "Whoever travels a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make the path to paradise easy for him," has stayed with me throughout my educational journey. As I listened to Islamic talks throughout my childhood, I distinctly remember how often Imams would praise and emphasize the pursuit of knowledge. I have learned to respect my education as a part of my faith and my duty as a Muslim. Education has been a constant theme in my life, and I deeply cherish how Islam places a strong emphasis on acquiring knowledge. For as long as I remember, I have had a deep love for books. I would spend hours a day reading every topic that caught my attention. As I delved into Islamic history, I found myself captivated by the Golden Age of Islam. This era not only saw remarkable advancements in culture and science but also demonstrated a profound thirst for medical knowledge. The commitment shown by past Muslim scholars in their pursuit of knowledge has left a lasting impression on my aspirations. Their dedication to understanding the world around them, especially in the fields of science and medicine, serves as a motivating force as I continue my educational journey. Currently, I am in my third year at NYU as a pre-med student with a minor in computer science and mathematics. As I continue my education, I have my sights set on applying for MD-PhD programs. I envision a path where I can contribute to medical research while practicing as a physician. Islam’s unwavering emphasis on education has been a driving factor in my academic pursuits. I am determined to honor my parents’ faith in me, and my faith as a Muslim. I am fortunate to be able to go to university, and I intend to make the most of this privilege. The values instilled in me by both my family and my faith serve as a compass, guiding me toward my goals. Seeking education is not merely a personal ambition; it's a continuation of a tradition that values curiosity and the desire to deepen our understanding of the world. This scholarship would provide the necessary support for my education. This assistance would alleviate a significant burden and enable me to focus more on my studies and aspirations. My journey as a Muslim seeking to complete my education is shaped by the teachings of my faith and the values instilled in me by my family. Striving for knowledge is a way of honoring both my heritage, my faith, and my aspirations. As I move forward, I aim to follow in the footsteps of those dedicated Muslim scholars of the past and contribute to the betterment of society.

Set up the raspberry pis, measure the distance, run the program, record the data, and repeat. I carefully measured the impact of distance and surrounding materials on Bluetooth signals. The experiment took more hours than it should have as I restarted due to a mistake. I signed up for the MIT BWSI PiPact Summer Project on a whim. Having never participated in a summer program before, I thought, “why not?”. The program focused on the potential to use Bluetooth to contact trace individuals exposed to Covid-19. Through this experience, I became interested in medical technology. I want to be able to combine my interest in medical technology with my lifelong love of the arts. When I look to the future, I hope to be able to use my interest in the arts to help with the creation of new and innovative medical technologies. I don't believe that the arts and sciences should be seen as separate entities, instead, they should be used in collaboration with one another. Cultivating my skills in drawing and design will in turn, hopefully, pave the way to medical innovation. The arts celebrate the ingenuity and present a unique set of skills I want to harness. Attention to detail, as well as endless patience, are things that I have learned from my artistic endeavors. Therefore, I consider whatever future technological creations I make to be an extension of my artistic skills. I hope that my art, along with my interest in technology, will soon be a vehicle through which I can save and improve lives.

Set up the raspberry pis, measure the distance, run the program, record the data, and repeat. I carefully measured the impact of distance and surrounding materials on Bluetooth signals. The experiment took more hours than it should have as I restarted due to a mistake. I signed up for the MIT BWSI PiPact Summer Project on a whim. Having never participated in a summer program before, I thought, “why not?”. The program focused on the potential to use Bluetooth to contact trace individuals exposed to Covid-19. Through this experience, I became interested in medical technology. I want to be able to combine my interest in medical technology with my lifelong love of the arts. When I look to the future, I hope to be able to use my interest in the arts to help with the creation of new and innovative medical technologies. I don't believe that the arts and sciences should be seen as separate entities, instead, they should be used in collaboration with one another. Cultivating my skills in drawing and design will in turn, hopefully, pave the way to medical innovation. The arts celebrate the ingenuity and present a unique set of skills I want to harness. Attention to detail, as well as endless patience, are things that I have learned from my artistic endeavors. Therefore, I consider whatever future technological creations I make to be an extension of my artistic skills. I hope that my art and my interest in technology will soon be a vehicle through which I can save and improve lives.