Biochemistry Senior Nageen Sherani Awarded Fulbright Scholarship
Sherani plans to teach English and volunteer at local health clinic in Indonesia
Nageen Sherani, a University Honors senior majoring in biochemistry and a 2016 Maryland-Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research fellow, has been awarded a 2017-18 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Indonesia.
During her placement, Sherani also plans to collaborate with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers to create an after-school program where students practice conversation and presentation in English by working in groups on small STEM projects. She also hopes to volunteer in a local health clinic.
“I decided to apply for a Fulbright because I find both teaching and medicine to be rewarding,” Sherani said. “I hope this experience will teach me how to integrate these two interests.”
Sherani first realized how much she loved teaching when she became a Guided Study Session (GSS) leader for Biology II in 2015. In the same year, Sherani took a course in mammalian physiology. She credits the course and its teacher, Biology Associate Professor Joshua Singer, for awakening her interest in medicine.
“When I became a GSS leader, I realized that I loved explaining concepts and helping both my students and myself come to a better understanding of the subject,” Sherani said. “And taking mammalian physiology turned me into a pre-med student.”
Sherani is no stranger to volunteering her time to help others. Since 2013, she has volunteered with the Food Recovery Network, a student group that recovers and delivers surplus food. In 2014, Sherani participated in a student service project to help refurbish a school house in Los Andes, Guatemala. She currently volunteers at the emergency department of Prince George’s Hospital and serves as co-president of “No Taboo. Period.” This student group provides access to feminine hygiene products for poor and homeless women.
After returning from her Fulbright placement, Sherani plans to apply to medical school. Her goal is to provide medical care—maternity care in particular—to women in underserved areas, while advocating for their right to health education.
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Media Relations Contact: Irene Ying, 301-405-5204, zying@umd.edu
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