Diversity Archives - School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics /stem/news/category/diversity Just another 56吃瓜网 Bothell site Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:40:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 STEM Symposium Awards 鈥� 2024 /stem/news/2024/07/08/stem-symposium-awards-2024 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:57:22 +0000 /stem/?p=31860 On June 7, 2024, the School of STEM hosted the spring undergraduate STEM Symposium for students to showcase their research and work from the quarter across all four STEM divisions: Biological Sciences, Computing & Software Systems (CSS), Engineering & Mathematics (E&M), and Physical Sciences (PSD).

The School of STEM hosted its inaugural award recognition ceremony and recognized students and faculty for their outstanding achievements, academic excellence, resiliency, engagement, leadership and service during the academic year.

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On June 7, 2024, the School of STEM hosted the spring undergraduate STEM Symposium for students to showcase their research and work from the quarter across all four STEM divisions: Biological Sciences, Computing & Software Systems (CSS), Engineering & Mathematics (E&M), and Physical Sciences (PSD).

The School of STEM hosted its inaugural award recognition ceremony and recognized students and faculty for their outstanding achievements, academic excellence, resiliency, engagement, leadership and service during the academic year.

Faculty awards

Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed 56吃瓜网 Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award

Dr. Joey Shapiro Key and Michelle Gamboa

In recognition of outstanding contributions in undergraduate research mentorship, broadening participation from underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of 56吃瓜网 Bothell School of STEM graduates to make a positive impact in their broader community and the world.

Recipient: Dr. Joey Shapiro Key, associate professor, Physical Sciences Division

Michelle Gamboa created this endowment in honor of her father, Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa. But a special thanks to Michelle, your endowment will leave an everlasting impression on our School and your father’s legacy will support undergraduate research, inspire students and change lives. Thank you, Michelle, for founding this in the School of STEM at 56吃瓜网 Bothell. Read more about the .

Read the 56吃瓜网 Bothell story “A gift to 鈥榯he faculty who make 56吃瓜网 Bothell so special鈥�.”

I believe that someone’s path in life can change in a moment, all it takes is a person or an experience that influences that person and gives them a spark of inspiration.

Michelle Gamboa, endowment founder, STEM advisory board co-chair, alumna

Physical Sciences Division (PSD) awards

Student Success Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the chemistry or physics program through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.

  • Chemistry: Lauren Woods
  • Physics: Roland Rothwell

Academic Achievement Award

In recognition of outstanding performance in chemistry or physics coursework.

  • Chemistry: Sam Bowers
  • Physics: Abby Wang
  • Earth System Sciences: Neil Hicks
  • Earth System Sciences: Sylvia Gholson

Outstanding Peer Facilitator

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a peer facilitator and helping other students achieve their goals and potential.

  • Chemistry: Ben Green
  • Physics: Parbeen Sekhon

Outstanding Researcher

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in chemistry or physics research.

  • Chemistry: Shiho Higuchi
  • Physics: Randall Te

Earth System Sciences Recognition of Community Engagement

Recipient: Aidan McQuilkin

Biological Sciences (BIO) awards

Engagement and Leadership Award

In recognition of contributions to the biology program through achievements in community building and student engagement.

  • Recipient: 56吃瓜网 Bothell Biology Club
    • Tavleen Singh
    • Shrinithi Arun
    • Tavleen Singh
    • Ilhan Dirie
    • Michelle U. Vo
    • Esha K Gill
    • Ethan Y Park
    • Jiwan Kaur Tib
    • Dang Truong

Computing & Software Systems (CSS) awards

CSS Best Poster

In recognition of the best Computing & Software Systems (CSS) Division poster presentation during the Capstone Colloquium.

Recipient: Chrishansel Raphael Dimiputra

Engineering & Mathematics (E&M) awards

E&M Academic Excellence Award

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in mathematics or engineering research.

  • Mathematics: Andrew Cheney
  • Mathematics: Martin F. Martinez
  • Mathematics: Lana Young

E&M Leadership and Service Award

In recognition of contributions to the mathematics or engineering programs through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.

  • Electrical Engineering: Casey Duncan
  • Mechanical Engineering: Cory Morin

E&M Resilience Award

In recognition of resilience in overcoming significant obstacles and challenges in the mathematics and engineering programs.

  • Mathematics: Marie Culp
  • Mathematics: Morgan Futty
  • Mathematics: Taylor Gibbons
  • Electrical Engineering: Majeedah Abdul-Azeem

Service to the School of STEM

In recognition of exceptional work at the School of STEM Capstone Symposium and dedication to serving the students of 56吃瓜网 Bothell.

Recipients:

  • Haydn Tamura
  • Anna Ritchie
  • Erika Lee

The Symposium is the perfect venue to showcase student work, both individual and team-based, solidifying the connection between academic success and real-world application.

Wolf Yeigh, professor in E&M and award ceremony lead

Celebrating achievement

Each award recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation within their respective fields. Their accomplishments not only reflect academic excellence but also underscores their commitment to advancing research, fostering community engagement, and pushing the boundaries of STEM education.

The 56吃瓜网 extends its heartfelt congratulations to all award winners and expresses gratitude to the faculty, staff, and student community for their continuous support and contributions to making the STEM Symposium a resounding success.

Learn more information about the School of STEM Symposium.

鈥� Enter password: STEM2024

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Investing in diverse futures: Bothell students and faculty find community at the 2024 Women in Cybersecurity conference聽 /stem/news/2024/06/27/investing-in-diverse-futures Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000 /stem/?p=31837 As a leader in cybersecurity research and education, the 56吃瓜网 School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS) sponsored three students and one faculty member to attend the 2024 Women in Cybersecurity conference in Nashville, Tennessee.听聽

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The STEM field has seen remarkable growth over the past decade, with the workforce expanding by 20%, as reported by the . Despite this surge, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields, particularly in cybersecurity, where they make up only a quarter of the workforce 鈥�    

Enter the Founded in 2013 by Dr. Ambareen Siraj of Tennessee Tech University, WiCyS aims to recruit, retain, and advance women in cybersecurity, providing a platform for networking, mentorship, and professional development. As a leader in cybersecurity research and education, the 56吃瓜网 School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS) sponsored three students and one faculty member to attend the 2024 WiCyS conference in Nashville, Tennessee.  

Forging new paths  

Among the attendees was Anne Ha, a former medical resident and 56吃瓜网 Bothell alumna of the bachelor鈥檚 degree in Computer Science & Software Engineering, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity option. Ha found reassurance in her academic journey as she noted the diverse backgrounds of the other attendees and speakers. 

“I realized that there are so many other women that have come to the field with different backgrounds, and that’s inspired me a lot,” Ha said. 

As Ha continued through her undergraduate journey, she became more interested in cybersecurity and landed her current internship in a security engineer role. She decided that she should take some cybersecurity classes to help prepare her for the internship when she received the invitation from the CSS division to apply for the WiCyS conference. 

Comprised of keynote speakers, workshops, resume reviews, and socials, the conference offered attendees valuable career insights and networking opportunities. Ha highlighted that this conference was unique in that connections with professionals didn鈥檛 feel transactional. She was able to speak with people for up to an hour about her resume, career tracks, interviewing skills, and more 鈥� an experience that she felt was unique to the WiCyS conference.    

Ha noted that she鈥檚 generally an introverted person but the genuine kindness and encouragement from industry professionals at the conference helped grow her confidence.  

鈥淭his conference made me more open to other people,鈥� Ha said. 鈥滱nd I’d like to offer the same help to other women, to other students, if I have a chance to.鈥� 

Expanding expertise  

Rithi Afra Jerald Jothi at the Women in Cybersecurity conference next to LED signs that say "#SeeHerAsEqual" and "WiCyS."
Image by Rithi Afra Jerald Jothi

Graduate student Rithi Afra Jerald Jothi was working in a computer science role when she applied to 56吃瓜网 Bothell鈥檚 Computer Science & Software Engineering master鈥檚 program. While in the program, she took classes to dive deeper into the cybersecurity side of computer science since she was already doing some of the work in her job. Seeking more guidance about career and academics paths, Rithi applied for the CSS scholarship to attend the WiCyS conference because she felt like it would be a good opportunity to learn more about the security side of the computer science field.  

鈥淚 was a little confused if I have to direct my career toward the software development side or security,鈥� Rithi said. 鈥淪o, I was just looking out for opportunities which would enhance my ideas on these domains so that it would give me a clearer picture.鈥�  

At the conference, Rithi connected one on one with industry professionals and received a lot of advice on her career 鈥� valuable wisdom that she says she would not have been able to receive had she not attended.   

鈥淎ll of them were able to give me insights on how to find professions which would combine both of these fields,鈥� Rithi said. 鈥淪o that was the first benefit, the biggest benefit, which helped me to shape my career at this point.鈥�  

“I want to see more women in cybersecurity in my own classrooms and then in the industry and so on.鈥�  

Dr. Geethapriya Thamilarasu

Empowerment through community  

Geethapriya Thamilarasu pointing to her name on a large poster stating "#WiCyS2024 Welcomes...."
Image by Geethapriya Thamilarasu

For Dr. Geethapriya Thamilarasu, associate professor in the CSS division, the conference offered more than just professional development; it provided a sense of community and support.  

“I’m the only female faculty in cybersecurity here, so sometimes meeting with other women in the cybersecurity field provides that sense of community and support in a way that I don’t usually find here,” Thamilarasu said. 

Thamilarasu attended the conference twice before but shared that it鈥檚 always an inspiring experience because of all the different keynote speakers sharing their stories. 

鈥淣o matter what stage of career you are in, hearing from these successful women in cybersecurity can be extremely inspiring, motivating and empowering,鈥� Thamilarasu said. 鈥淎nd then you come back ready to pass the torch on to get more women in the field. I want to see more women in cybersecurity in my own classrooms and then in the industry and so on.鈥�  

Elevating voices  

Gender diversity in cybersecurity is something that resonates deeply with Thamilarasu as she is currently the only female faculty in cybersecurity at 56吃瓜网 Bothell. She believes that recruiting and encouraging women to join these fields of study will be 鈥渆xtremely important for the growth of the industry as a whole.鈥�  

Thamilarasu notes that a diverse workforce brings a broader range of perspectives and experiences to the table 鈥� essential for developing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies.  

鈥淵ou don’t know if this is a field for you unless you go and see people who look like me, who talk like me, who think like me are leading this field in so many different ways,鈥� Thamilarasu said.   

Thamilarasu’s commitment to diversity echoes the broader efforts at 56吃瓜网 Bothell, where initiatives like sponsoring student conference attendance are championed to support women in STEM fields. The university’s investment in fostering diversity and inclusion is further demonstrated by the proactive actions of students like Lily Aguirre and Margaret Lanphere, the president and vice president of the , who secured funding through the Student Academic Enhancement Fund to attend the WiCyS conference. Their initiative underscores the importance of empowering students to take ownership of their learning and professional growth.

The students and professors who attended the conference all echo the same sentiment鈥� they gained so much from their attendance.   

鈥淭he feeling of the inspiration and the empowerment that comes from the conference is unmatchable,鈥� Thamilarasu said. 鈥淚 think that is something everybody should experience.鈥� 

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Incarceration to Innovation /stem/news/2024/05/23/incarceration-to-innovation Thu, 23 May 2024 20:38:05 +0000 /stem/?p=31390 56吃瓜网 Alumnus Michael Cho honored with National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

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56吃瓜网 Alumnus Michael Cho honored with National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

As a university that primarily serves underrepresented student populations 鈥� comprised of about 40% first-generation, 72% students of color, and 44% eligible for federal Pell Grants 鈥� imposter syndrome is a common feeling amongst 56吃瓜网 students.

Michael Cho, a 2022 56吃瓜网 Bothell alumnus knows this feeling exactly.

鈥淚 struggle with it a lot still myself,鈥� Cho said regarding imposter syndrome. 鈥淏ut it is just about having the confidence in yourself that you can do these kinds of things.”

Michael Cho

Second chance

Cho began his journey into academia from a prison cell through the This experiment grants people who are incarcerated eligibility to receive the Pell Grant for postsecondary programs. Cho was part of one of the six pilot programs through Centralia College and was the first graduate for Washington State Prisons. Following his release, Cho was admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program at 56吃瓜网 Bothell.

鈥淚 realized that education’s really a great way to get out of the system and transformational for your life,鈥� Cho said. 鈥淚 was always learning, growing and I liked the academic environment.鈥�

As an undergraduate student, Cho engaged in research with Assistant Professor Afra Mashhadi, focusing on federated machine learning. This research utilized edge devices 鈥� mobile phones 鈥� to collaboratively train a machine learning model to mitigate biases. This process allows for more diverse user-driven data, which ultimately can lead to more comprehensive research.

鈥淗e’s been a very inspirational person with the way he challenges himself, like really being motivated to learn more,鈥� Mashhadi said. 鈥淲hen he said he wanted to do a Ph.D., I was just so happy because I think it really fits his personality of craving to be on top of research and learn more.”

Pursuing excellence

Cho accepted an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. offer from the University of Georgia Institute of Technology after completing his degree at 56吃瓜网 Bothell and is now working in a research lab focusing on the use of biosignals. More specifically, Cho is working on denoising, or making clearer, the signals from devices like smart watches and chest monitors. When the devices move on your wrist or chest, it can interrupt the signal and make it more difficult to interpret.

Inspired by his current work and the research he did as an undergraduate student, Cho decided to submit a research proposal to the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). The NSF GRFP is the country鈥檚 oldest fellowship program that directly supports graduate students in various STEM fields. It provides students with a three-year stipend and access to opportunities for professional development. NSF GRFP fellows can become knowledge experts who significantly contribute to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering.

鈥淚 thought it would be a good opportunity to tell my story and try to apply for things that would make more of an impact,鈥� Cho said.

Cho鈥檚 proposal for the fellowship combines his research in biosignals with his undergraduate work in federated machine learning. With enough user-generated data from a system like the one Cho proposes, the hope is that these biosignal watches or patches could more accurately detect things like cardiac diseases.

鈥淚t’d be cool to have a system that would be able to gather data from different sources and train it on these phones,鈥� Cho said. 鈥淵ou can get more diversity of data and have the system more inclusive to other populations and demographics.鈥�

Upon learning that he had received the fellowship, Cho recalled feeling excited, surprised, and very fortunate that he would be able to make his professors and advisors who helped him along the way proud.

Michael Cho

Embracing the past, shaping the future

Previously, Cho stated his plans to one day teach science behind bars, and while that is still a goal, he is not entirely sure of his path going forward. While he completes his doctorate and fellowship, Cho has begun looking locally for opportunities to give back. One nonprofit he reached out to is Common Good Atlanta, an organization that provides people who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated with access to higher education.

鈥淚 definitely want to bring back some of the things that I learned and some of the benefits I have from my academic career to places where I’ve come from,鈥� Cho said. 鈥淚 still kind of don’t know exactly where I want to go, like whether it’s industry or academia, but I definitely want to try some volunteer opportunities, especially for prisons.鈥�

Cho wasn鈥檛 immune to the imposter syndrome that challenges a lot of young academics, but his journey through academia is a testament to the resilience and determination of underrepresented students in academia.

鈥淚 always have that imposter syndrome, even at 56吃瓜网, but if you keep working at it and you’re passionate about what you do and you’re genuinely like a nice, friendly person, then I think that you’ll make it pretty big if you just keep trying,鈥� Cho said.

Cho was honored by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Sharon Jones for his fellowship at the 56吃瓜网 Student Academic Showcase on May 16, 2024 鈥� Mashhadi accepted the award on his behalf.

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GHC 2023 student scholarships instill confidence and inspire /stem/news/2023/12/08/ghc-2023-student-scholarships-instill-confidence-and-inspire Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:57:28 +0000 /stem/?p=30080 Thirteen students were awarded scholarships to the Grace Hopper Women in Computing conference, the largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists in computing.

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At the start of autumn quarter, 13 students from the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS) had more than just the first day of class on their mind 鈥� they were preparing to attend the largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists in computing.

Three students traveled to Orlando, Florida, to attend the 2023 in person and ten students logged on virtually. Students heard inspiring keynote speeches, attended workshops, expanded their network, met with company and higher education sponsors during the Career & Expo Hall, and felt empowered surrounded by a community of women and allies in the tech.

Increasing access and inspiring belief

The reality of attending a conference like GHC, especially out of state, feels out of reach for many students once they consider the costs to attend. Knowing this and recognizing the impact the GHC experience has on students is one of many reasons why the Division of CSS continues to sponsor the GHC conference every year and award full student scholarships to attend the conference in person or virtually.

For Greeshma Sree Parimi, a current Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering (MSCSSE) student who attended GHC in person, the scholarship made the trip accessible. 鈥淚t meant that I could fully immerse myself in the conference without the financial burden that often comes with attending such events,鈥� she said.

Attending a large conference can also feel a bit overwhelming and intimidating. When Breanna Powell, a current MSCSSE student who graduated from the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development (GCSDD) bridge program at 56吃瓜网 Bothell, learned she鈥檇 been awarded an in-person scholarship she felt a sense of validation.

Gresshma Sree Parimi posing in from of the conference entry doors with her badge around her neck.

鈥淔or me, it feels like people believe in me and my potential, even when I doubt myself,鈥� said Powell.

Breanna Powell posing for a photo in front of the Anita.org 2023 Grace Hopper Celebration, THE WAY FORWARD orange backdrop.

鈥淚t gave me the push that I needed to go out there and search for jobs and apply,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t also encourages me to keep hosting events on campus through the 56吃瓜网 Bothell Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) club and the Alliance 4 Sustainability club, because making connections is vital.鈥�

For me, it feels like people believe in me and my potential, even when I doubt myself.

Breanna Powell, current MSCSSE student and GCSDD alumna

Opportunity through conversation

Networking at conferences specializing in a student鈥檚 major can create opportunities and propel their career forward.

Powell met a woman at GHC who was developing a VR application to help women practice tough work conversations and saw the potential in following up with them to see if they鈥檇 be willing to test it out with 56吃瓜网 Bothell students.

鈥淚t was wonderful how open everyone was to just starting up a conversation, about anything they are doing, and how everyone really listened and seemed invested in connecting,鈥� said Powell.

Shree Parimi had the chance to connect with several employers, exploring potential career opportunities and learning about the exciting projects and initiatives they鈥檙e working on.

鈥淚t was an invaluable experience to engage with these organizations and gain insights into what they are looking for in candidates,鈥� she Shree Parimi.

One of Powell鈥檚 networking conversations led to an interview with the Los Alamos National Laboratory the next day. She fondly remembers that it was the least scared and most relaxed she had ever felt going into an interview because of their conversation the previous day.

Sustainability-focused sessions

GHC had a lot of sessions, so many that attendees had to prioritize what they wanted to attend (which was no easy choice!). Powell is very interested in green tech, so she was thrilled to see that there were several sustainability-focused sessions.

鈥淔arm-to-Plate AI鈥� from MathWorks was her favorite. It gave her an opportunity to use MATLAB for the first time and brought her together with a new friend, a student at the University of Missouri – St. Louis who shares her same interests.

鈥淲e got to see how to simulate a drone’s flight through a field and how computer vision and AI can help with every step of a mango’s journey to the table,鈥� said Powell. 鈥淭he strides that are being made in agrotech are going to have a huge impact on climate change initiatives.鈥�

Growth experience

Students that attend GHC end the conference with new skills, inspiration, confidence, connections, career strategies, and a reinforced belief in the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Looking down from the second story balcony to see hundreds of people filling the hall waiting for the expo hall to open.

When Powell thought about her experience, she realized it was not so scary to attend big conferences filled with software developers competing for jobs. Her experience got her thinking about how much of a difference it makes that these events exist.

鈥淚t made me even more excited to plan this year’s 56吃瓜网 Bothell ACM student hackathon,鈥� said Powell. The hackathon is a wonderful way for students to not only gain hands-on experience in programming and solving problems as a team, but it鈥檚 an opportunity to build their network and create something useful and fun.

Just like Powell, Sree Parimi would love to go back to GHC in the future.

鈥淚t’s an amazing event that fosters a sense of community and empowerment,鈥� said Sree Parimi. 鈥淚 believe it’s essential to continue attending such conferences to stay connected with the dynamic tech landscape and meet like-minded individuals.鈥�

Students, faculty and staff at the 56吃瓜网 School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems booth representing STEM Graduate Programs in the GHC Expo Hall
Students, faculty and staff at the 56吃瓜网 School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems booth representing STEM Graduate Programs in the GHC Expo Hall.

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A humble and accomplished student leader /stem/news/2023/06/22/a-humble-and-accomplished-student-leader Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:21:34 +0000 /stem/?p=27730 Hithem Ghadamsi wasn鈥檛 the type of student who would brag about his accomplishments. According to his professors at the 56吃瓜网, he was a disciplined student and a leader among his peers 鈥� but not the kind of leader who took credit for his work or boasted about his achievements. His work, however,...

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Hithem Ghadamsi wasn鈥檛 the type of student who would brag about his accomplishments. According to his professors at the 56吃瓜网, he was a disciplined student and a leader among his peers 鈥� but not the kind of leader who took credit for his work or boasted about his achievements.

His work, however, didn鈥檛 go unnoticed.

Ghadamsi was nominated by his professors for the 2023 President鈥檚 Medal, which he was presented in this year鈥檚 Commencement Ceremony on June 11.

Each year, the President鈥檚 Medal is awarded to a graduating senior with the most distinguished academic record. Students are nominated and selected from the top 2% of the graduating class in their program. In addition to their academic success, students are selected based on other honors and awards, research and publications, as well as future plans.

Ghadamsi graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. He is currently taking a gap year while he applies to medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor specializing in neuroscience.

A discovery of limitless potential

Ghadamsi always knew he would go to college. Higher education was a priority for his family going three generations back.

鈥淢y grandpa was the first person to go to college in his city where he grew up in Libya,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom then on, my dad and all his siblings went to college, and my dad got the opportunity to go to the United States and study. It was ingrained into the family that college education is very important.鈥�

From an early age, Ghadamsi had an interest in science and engineering. He enjoyed tearing stuff apart and discovering how things worked. Together with his dad, he worked on fixing cars. His interest in science deepened in high school with his biology and chemistry classes.

While college felt not only possible 鈥� even essential 鈥� to Ghadamsi as a young boy, he still believed what he could accomplish would be limited because of his heritage. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I could be a doctor until I was told I could,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see anybody like me who was a doctor.鈥�

Ghadamsi鈥檚 father challenged this perception and helped him imagine all that could be possible for him. Now, as a college graduate, what he once thought was鈥痷nimaginable has become his life鈥檚 ambition. And he hopes that, as a doctor, he will also be an inspirational figure for other young people like him to see what they can achieve.

Specializing in neuroscience

Ghadamsi’s interest in neuroscience in particular started at the age of 16 when he had a seizure while having dinner with his family. Once at 56吃瓜网 Bothell, he laid the groundwork for this specialization through his minor and by completing two summer internships: the 56吃瓜网  and the .

鈥淏eing able to participate in a neurosurgery internship where I gained lab experience and made clinical observations really reassured me in my goal to become a doctor who studies neuroscience,鈥� he said.

Pre-med adviser Kristen Labrecque helped him apply for the program. Then, after completing the internship, Ghadamsi in turn worked to encourage other students to apply.

鈥淗e was getting help and passing it on,鈥� said Dr. Alaron Lewis, associate teaching professor and chair of biological sciences in the School of STEM. 鈥淭his is totally in-line with what I know of Hithem 鈥� not just accepting help but passing that help on to others.鈥�

The internship also opened Ghadamsi up to the idea of doing his own research, he said. As a senior at the 2023 56吃瓜网 Undergraduate Research Symposium, he presented 鈥�.鈥�

An accomplished student and leader

Even beyond his two internships, Ghadamsi was an accomplished student who made the Dean鈥檚 List each quarter. Lewis recalls having to remind Ghadamsi of that very fact when she asked her Cell Biology class to practice writing cover letters.

鈥淚 pointed out to him that making the Dean鈥檚 List and being eligible for the President鈥檚 Medal were impressive accomplishments that he should tell people about, and he just shrugged about it self-consciously,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ithem is an excellent student but not in a flashy way. He is extremely modest about his own activities and accomplishments. He did not set out to get the best score, he just set out to do his best 鈥� and it turns out that his best is pretty darn good.鈥�

Lewis added that even in remote classroom settings, Ghadamsi鈥檚鈥痚ngagement with his peers stood out and his desire to learn was evident in the insightful questions he asked. As classes returned in person, his 鈥渜uiet and unassuming鈥� presence as a leader grew, she said.

鈥淗ithem is a wonderful, caring human being. He is absolutely a leader in class. Not a loud out-in-front leader, but a 鈥榯alk to everyone in your group鈥� leader and a 鈥榤ake sure everyone has a voice鈥� leader and 鈥榮top by the professor鈥檚 office to advocate for others鈥欌€痩eader,鈥� Lewis said.

A desire to help others

Ghadamsi鈥檚 role as a leader and a resource for his peers extended outside the classroom to his work across several student clubs and activities, as well. One club stands out as a passion project for him: the Student Association for Refugees and Immigrants.

SAFIR was founded in 2019 to support refugees and immigrants in the campus community to succeed academically and professionally. The club works with the International Rescue Committee to develop connections with 56吃瓜网 Bothell and refugees. It became inactive after the coronavirus pandemic disrupted campus activities. In the hopes of reviving the club when in-person activities resumed, Dr. Salwa Al-Noori reached out to Ghadamsi.

鈥淗ithem鈥檚 role in SAFIR has been significant,鈥� said Al-Noori, associate teaching professor in the School of STEM. 鈥淲ith the other club officers, he has worked tirelessly to facilitate events and awareness that support students from immigrant and refugee communities and which promote understanding, inclusion and practical benefits for students from diverse communities.鈥�

As president of SAFIR, Ghadamsi helped organize events such as clothing drives, youth mentorship programs and career networking nights.

鈥淚 want to help people because it鈥檚 the right thing to do,鈥� Ghadamsi said. 鈥淏eing a first-generation American, I鈥檝e witnessed what it was like for other people. Reflecting on my parents鈥� experience coming to the U.S. and having to struggle, I feel that I鈥檝e been fortunate to have a different experience, and I want to pay that forward to others who haven鈥檛 had the same opportunities.鈥�

Ghadamsi鈥檚 passion for SAFIR鈥檚 mission is part of his overall ambition to help others.鈥疕e aims to someday practice medicine both in the U.S. and in his family鈥檚 home country of Libya. In Libya, he hopes to develop a program or a clinic to help provide health care services to the communities that need it most.

Graduating on a high note

When Ghadamsi heard he was receiving the President鈥檚 Medal, he was excited to see his dedication to his course work and his extracurricular activities recognized.

鈥淚 knew how much hard work I put in throughout college,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t times school was very challenging, so being recognized for that is very gratifying.鈥�

His professors were thrilled to hear he had been awarded the medal.

鈥淗ithem has consistently over the period of his undergraduate studies demonstrated the characteristics that make him truly deserving of this award; he is an excellent student not only as reflected in his impressive performance in his coursework and through his engagement in research but for the dedication and passion he brings to learning,鈥� Al-Noori said. 鈥淗e also has a strong commitment to community as can be seen by his extracurricular engagement, especially in his contributions through SAFIR and the local Greater Seattle community.

鈥淚 truly believe Hithem is deserving of the recognition conferred by this medal, and I am confident that he will continue forward with the same commitment and dedication in his future.鈥�

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56吃瓜网 Bothell Graduate Certificate Program Help Women Change Career Paths into Engineering /stem/news/2022/06/09/grad-women-change-paths-engineering Thu, 09 Jun 2022 11:18:41 +0000 http://www.uwb.edu/?p=22297 Switching careers from biology to software engineering became a reality for graduates Lily Fan and Enina Bogdani when they discovered the nine-month Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development at the 56吃瓜网.

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from biology to software engineering became a reality for graduates Lily Fan and Enina Bogdani when they discovered the nine-month Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development at the 56吃瓜网.

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Undergraduates invited to research stem cells /stem/news/2021/12/28/undergraduate-invited-to-research-stem-cells Tue, 28 Dec 2021 13:38:28 +0000 http://www.uwb.edu/?p=21372 Three 56吃瓜网 Bothell undergraduates were awarded fellowships — usually bestowed just to graduate and post-doctoral students — to research heart development, kidney disease and osteoporosis. Read the story in 56吃瓜网 Bothell news.

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Three 56吃瓜网 Bothell undergraduates were awarded fellowships 鈥� usually bestowed just to graduate and post-doctoral students 鈥� to research heart development, kidney disease and osteoporosis. Read the story in 56吃瓜网 Bothell news.

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Dare to Transform at the Grace Hopper Celebration /stem/news/2021/11/22/grace-hopper-celebration-sponsorship Mon, 22 Nov 2021 11:52:41 +0000 http://www.uwb.edu/?p=21182 Thirteen STEM graduate students and the STEM graduate admission advisor virtually attended the 2021 Grace Hopper Celebration, the largest gathering of women technologists.

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Women technologists are underrepresented across tech, but thanks to organizations like , the world is moving towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. Inspired by the legacy of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, AnitaB hosts the (GHC), an annual flagship event to 鈥渂ring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront, and highlight the contributions of women to the tech world.鈥�

Over 30,000 women in tech, allies, and sponsors spanning 115 countries came together virtually from September 27-October 1, 2021 to connect, inspire and drive inclusive technology that will share the future.

The School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems sponsored the celebration to increase the talent pipeline of women in tech and support the Anita Borg commitment of promoting intersectional gender equity in the global technical workforce. As part of the sponsorship 13 master鈥檚 degree students 鈥� 11 Computer Science & Software Engineering and 2 Cybersecurity Engineering 鈥� were awarded a complimentary registration and year-long membership to AnitaB.org.

Dare to…

The 2021 GHC theme was #DareTo — a call to action for everyone who dares to…push boundaries, change the landscape of technology, defy expectations, build something bigger, make technology inclusive, sit at the table (and then flip it over!), dream, lead, create, mentor, transform, inspire, and connect!

President and CEO of AnitaB.org, kicked off the event with the amazing host and Emmy-winning television and radio personality (pictured on the right, next to Brenda). The celebration was full of virtual keynotes, sessions, workshops, competitions, awards, and mentoring and networking opportunities. Early, mid, and senior career women had a chance to attend mentoring circles to seek advice in small, targeted groups. A multi-day career fair gave attendees the opportunity to visit virtual booths to learn more about school and company sponsors.

Breana in a blue shirt on the left of Jeanne in a red shirt, on the stage for GHC

STEM Graduate Admission Advisor Dini Colabewala hosted a virtual career fair booth where she met with women in tech looking to take the next step in their career with a graduate degree. Attendees could pre-book Career Fair+ individual meetings at a specific day and time, or pop into the virtual booth to see live chats with prospects in real-time.

Sponsorships give back

The Division of CSS sponsorship supports diverse recruitment and gives STEM graduate students the opportunity to engage, learn, and work on their career development while in graduate school. A portion of each GHC sponsorship helps fund a year-round tech inclusion program for women who have been historically excluded from computing and tech, including women of color worldwide.

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Meet Keiara Windom, Avanade STEM scholar turned employee /stem/news/2021/11/22/avanade-scholar-keiara-windom Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:24:38 +0000 http://www.uwb.edu/?p=21181 Mathematics major and Avanade Scholar Keiara Windom shares her story with Avanade about how the scholarship supported her as a women in STEM and why she excited to be joining Avanade as business analyst. Read the story on Avanade's blog.

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avanade scholar keiara windom


Mathematics major and Avanade Scholar Keiara Windom聽shares her story with Avanade about how the scholarship supported her as a women in STEM and why she excited to be joining Avanade as business analyst. .听

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My Story: A tale of two Huskies & two heroes /stem/news/2021/11/02/my-story-tale-of-two-huskies-two-heroes Tue, 02 Nov 2021 12:00:14 +0000 http://www.uwb.edu/?p=21035 Christian Dunham, STEM graduate student, Green Beret, veteran and volunteer with Task Force Pineapple, works to get Afghan refugees safely out of Afghanistan and to the states. In so doing, he is paying forward a great sacrifice made by one of his heroes. Read the 56吃瓜网 Bothell news story.

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my story tale of two huskies two heroes

Christian Dunham, STEM graduate student, Green Beret, veteran and volunteer with Task Force Pineapple, works to get Afghan refugees safely out of Afghanistan and to the states. In so doing, he is paying forward a great sacrifice made by one of his heroes. Read the 56吃瓜网 Bothell news story.

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