Her Story
About Saidah
I'm currently a senior at Ohio State University studying biomedical engineering, a field I chose because of my love of science and how it combines problem solving with medical solutions. My research focuses on nanotechnology, and I've been working on campus conducting research with plans to complete an undergraduate thesis this year before attending grad school. I work at the recruitment office for the College of Engineering, where I get to do STEM outreach programs and connect with prospective high school students through tours and panels, which is really exciting for me. I'm involved in several project teams focused on biomolecular research. One of my most notable achievements was working to fundraise and lead my project team to Japan in 2024, where we restarted our competition program after COVID and sent 500 graduate students to present our research internationally. I'm a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honorary and was recently accepted into the Mortar Board senior honorary. Outside of engineering, I love crafts, especially crocheting, and I'm passionate about volunteering and working with kids to introduce them to STEM. This summer I'm joining a program called Sea Brilliance that focuses on bringing STEAM education, including art, to young students.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Saidah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would have to attribute my success to my family. They raised me properly and gave me my perseverance. They're always supporting me and letting me know that even if you stumble, you don't have to fall. I definitely credit my family, and especially my parents, my mom and my stepdad, for where I am today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'm a big advocate for trying as much as possible if you're able to. When I do tours and talk with prospective students on campus, and they ask what's one big piece of advice I would give to a high school student who's applying to college, my biggest advice is that you don't know what you don't like until you try it. So if you have the opportunity, go ahead and just try it out, see if it's for you, and then you can know for sure, like, hey, I didn't like this, or maybe I like this part of it, but not this part. I think it's just very beneficial in picking a certain path to go down.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the bigger challenges in my field is that it's relatively new as an engineering discipline, so you kind of have to build your own journey. Currently, there are a lot of different ways it can be approached now, since it's not so structured like other disciplines such as civil engineering. But this is also one of my favorite parts, because I feel like it's breeding innovation. I really like how, especially with my field which is very research-focused currently, there are so many ways to build off of it, since it's relatively new compared to other engineering disciplines.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Definitely perseverance. I actually have autoimmune disease, so having to fight through certain difficulties is something I've had to learn through, because I was diagnosed in college. I think that's just one really important quality that I hold for myself. And then also just trying my best to enjoy what I'm doing, and remembering that it's supposed to be fun during whatever you're interested in. Those are just two things I try to focus on as I navigate through my life.
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