Oumaima Bougazzoul
2014 MCN Conference Delegate | Undergraduate University: Northeastern University | Place of Origin: North Africa
My MCN Story:
"I attended the Millennium Campus Conference (MCC) at Northeastern University in 2013. As a freshman at the time who just moved across the Atlantic to start her university career, I was not really sure what I exactly wanted to study or how to formulate what I wanted to do with my time in school. I knew that I was interested in science, medicine and community service; but I didn't really know how I could link all those passions together. In addition, I still wasn't entirely sure that’s what I wanted to do.
Most of the workshops I took part in at the conference were related to public health issues. They not only sparked my interest in a new field but also provided a potential bridge to connect all the dots. By the end of the conference, I learned about and was exposed to different healthcare issues in different parts of the world. I explored how different people go about solving these medical and public health issues in various ways: campaigns, social enterprises, etc. I started having a better idea of the type of work that is ongoing in the fields and thinking about how it would relate to my own experiences, vision and career goals. Attending the MCC along with starting my curriculum as an undeclared student opened my eyes to the idea of interdisciplinary learning. I realized that I did not have to focus on one single field if I what I enjoyed more was the intersection of all my academic and professional interests. Studying medicine and being an active member in the community through socio-medical projects became my ultimate goal. Having that kind of vision not only made it easier for me to choose my major in college, but also pushed me to seek experiences that were interdisciplinary by nature and that allowed me to integrate both science and service in my work."
Today:
"I have just graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience. I will soon be joining a research team at Pfizer to take part in behavioral pharmacology research on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. My experience at Pfizer will be an exciting combination of the laboratory and clinical aspect of research and a valuable addition to my past experiences. As a pre-med student, I have completed a hands-on internship on brain tumor-related academic research, as well as clinical experience working as a physical therapist aide. Experiencing the field of the pharmaceutical industry will also help me further explore my interests in research while also nurturing my passion for science, medicine and service. To me, it is important to keep in mind that the end goal of all this research is to serve our communities and to advance human health. With personal and family-related motivators also present, I aspire to become a doctor and contribute to ongoing research especially in fields related to neurological disorders."
*The "quotes" above have been edited for clarity and concision.