What first captivated your interest in biology and oncology?

My fascination with biology began during my freshmen year when I took fundamental biology. Thanks to my teacher, I fell madly in love with the subject, and my enthusiasm has only developed since then. I interned at Saudi German Hospital two years ago, where I worked under a pathologist. She used a microscope to show me what I'd never seen in textbook diagrams: a live sperm cell. Such experiences helped me appreciate the complexities of the human body. Then I did a course at Harvard Summer School and collaborated with a group whose research focused on oncogenes, which sparked my interest in oncology.

You finished a baking module. Were you considering a job in the food industry?

I took The Wilton School's Wilton Method Course in high school, which is a four-stage course that explores the fundamentals of baking and decorating cakes. I enjoyed spending time in the kitchen carefully making flowers and delicately designing four-tiered desserts, but I discovered over time that the accuracy I was able to achieve in the kitchen could be applied to research and analysis in a laboratory.

Please tell us about your Instagram project, Biolicious Baking

Last year, I started baking and was learning new recipes in my kitchen, which I decided to share with family and friends. Around the same time, I was enrolled in the Medical Intensive Pre-College Summer@Hopkins class. One night, I had the brilliant idea of mixing the delectable sweets I was creating with the knowledge I was gaining from my curriculum. Biolicious Baking (@bioliciousbaking), my Instagram profile that combines two of my passions, biology, and baking, came up. I teach biology principles in my posts using a physical model: a crafted delicious treat. I aim to use a special forum to teach people how amazingly interesting biology is.

You're already an accomplished social worker

At college, I've been active in several projects aimed at fostering meaningful ties between students and the internal ASD community, and the larger Dubai community. As president of the service organization SEENAH (sustainable by economics, education, diet, and health), I centered this year on strengthening interpersonal interactions between students and the working staff hired by the school to help support the campus. Over a five-week span, we had over 60 staff and 40 ASD students participating!

Your dream career?

To work with a pharmaceutical firm conducting oncology testing. I want to graduate from Tufts University with a major degree in biology, which will enable me to pursue a Master's degree and then a Ph.D.

Have you made up your mind as to which college you want to join? What factors influenced your decision?

I applied to 11 universities in Canada and the United States with the guidance of Hale Education and my incredible counselor there. I was accepted into four schools from the first round. Tufts University, on the other hand, attracted me because of its culture and offers. What attracted me to Tufts in particular are the exclusive academic offerings. Tufts' opportunities, from excellent study abroad initiatives to the one-of-a-kind Experimental College, will provide me with the tools I needed to cultivate my fearless approach to learning. I figured I wouldn't be restricted to a box at Tufts, either educationally or interpersonally.