STEM for Development

This week, STEM for Development Office Hours will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 3-4pm GMT, featuring Michael Adu, Hauwa Adedo and Joe Adabouk Amooli. During Office Hours, STEM students are welcome to ask any questions on graduate school applications and STEM research/professional development. All are invited to join us at the following link: https://t.ly/Dmfhw You can also sign up to receive email reminders and calendar invitations for Office Hours at this link: https://t.ly/4AJKD For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website at stemfordevelopment.org!

?How can you make your #STEM graduate application stand out? This weekend, nearly 500 students from 29 different countries signed up for STEM for Development's faculty panel, featuring Dr. Becky Mansfield (The Ohio State University), Ms. Amanda Mendez (Stevens Institute of Technology), and Dr. Chaowei Phil Yang (George Mason University). What did they have to say? ??Craft a Powerful Statement of Purpose (SOP): All three panelists emphasized that the SOP is more than a formality; it is your narrative. The panelists highlighted the importance of balancing specificity and flexibility. Be clear about your research interests but open to new opportunities. Reflect deeply on past experiences and future goals to articulate a coherent, compelling story. ??Align with Faculty Interests: Successful applications often hinge on demonstrating alignment with a program’s research focus. Panelists stressed the importance of thoroughly researching potential advisors and their current projects. “Make the connection clear,” one panelist noted, “and show genuine enthusiasm for the work they’re doing.” ??Leverage Transferable Skills: Many students worry that their background doesn’t perfectly match their desired program. The panelists reassured attendees that transferable skills—like teamwork, project planning, and data analysis—are crucial. “Show how you’ve maximized the opportunities you had,” they advised, “even if they differ from what’s common elsewhere.” ??Build Strong Networks: Graduate school is more than coursework—it’s about community. Panelists encouraged students to highlight their plans for engaging with support services, networking with peers and faculty, and contributing to campus life. They noted that at many institutions, holistic applications stand out because they reflect not just academic readiness but a commitment to the broader university community. ??Navigate Differences in Research Experience: For international students, bridging the gap between local research contexts and those abroad can be challenging. The panel recommended reaching out to faculty or admissions officers to discuss these concerns directly. Tailoring your application to highlight how your unique experiences contribute to the program’s diversity and goals can make a strong impression. Interested in our next event? Stay tuned and join the SFD community at t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website: stemfordevelopment.org!

?? Ready to Ace Your Graduate School Interview? Join STEM for Development’s upcoming webinar to learn proven strategies, practice common questions, and boost your interview confidence! Please see event info and the registration link below - we hope to see you there! ?? Event Title: STEM Graduate Applications: Interviewing for Success ??? Panelists: Stephanie Adama and Oluwadamilola Salau ??? Date: Saturday, December 7 ?? Time: 12 PM GMT Don't miss out! Secure your spot now: ??Register for the event: t.ly/72fN ??Join STEM for Development: t.ly/E9r5 Please share with your network!

??Exciting news! STEM for Development is now on Instagram! Our new Instagram account will be a hub for sharing meaningful stories, updates on our initiatives, and valuable resources for students pursuing higher education in STEM. By following us, you'll gain a closer look at how we're supporting the next generation of scientists and global changemakers. ??Follow us: https://lnkd.in/eweTQtsC You can also connect with us on Facebook to stay updated on our work: Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eqTEMRUh Thank you for being part of our mission to expand STEM opportunities worldwide. We look forward to connecting with you!

Applying to graduate school? With application deadlines fast-approaching, join STEM for Development's next event to learn from experienced university faculty and staff on how to strengthen your STEM graduate application. This panel will offer insider observations, practical strategies, and the opportunity to have your questions answered. Please see event info and the registration link below - we hope to see you there! ?? Event Title: Graduate Admissions Panel: Completing Your Application ??? Panelists: Dr. Becky Mansfield (The Ohio State University), Ms. Amanda Mendez (Stevens Institute of Technology), Dr. Chaowei Phil Yang (George Mason University) ??? Date: Saturday, November 23 ?? Time: 1 PM GMT Don't miss out! Secure your spot now: ??Register for the event: t.ly/72fN ??Join STEM for Development: t.ly/E9r5 Please share with your network!

This week, STEM for Development Office Hours will be held on Saturday, November 16 from 2-3pm GMT, featuring Michael Adu, Hauwa Adedo and Joe Adabouk Amooli. During Office Hours, STEM students are welcome to ask any questions on graduate school applications and STEM research/professional development. All are invited to join us at the following link: https://t.ly/Dmfhw You can also sign up to receive email reminders and calendar invitations for Office Hours at this link: https://t.ly/4AJKD For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website at stemfordevelopment.org!

This month, STEM for Development is highlighting Regional Partnerships team member, Anwar Abu_Alkahsi! Her outstanding accomplishments, detailed by Wealth Okete and Charity Afefa, is below. For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website at stemfordevelopment.org! --- SFD Staff Profile: Anwar Abu_Alkahsi This November, STEM for Development (SFD) is pleased to showcase the career journey and achievements of Anwar Abu_Alkahsi, a pharmacist and research assistant from Jordan. Anwar is a Regional Partnership Associate at SFD, a role that positions her to empower STEM students and professionals in the Middle East region. ? With a passion for understanding how drugs work and improving people’s health, Anwar’s training began as a Pharmacy undergraduate at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). After completing her Bachelor’s degree, she studied for a Master's in Pharmaceutical Technology at JUST, during which she developed an antimicrobial peptide to combat the growing burden of multidrug-resistant infections while simultaneously working as a pharmacist. After leaving pharmacy practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anwar taught courses in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Calculations and Compounding, working part-time at both JUST and The Hashemite University. Currently a research assistant in Dr. Shorooq Abukhamee's lab at Hashemite, she is developing a novel formulation that could help make antibiotic medications more palatable. The overall goal of this project is to improve patients’ adherence to antibiotics. ? Anwar is eager to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds access world-class education and training opportunities. This drive inspired her decision to join SFD as a Regional Partnership Associate. Through this role, she plans to help STEM students and professionals in the Middle East region learn about, access, and maximize the various opportunities SFD offers to reach their career goals. Alongside, she hopes to facilitate valuable collaborations between the organization and interested partners in the region. ? Although Anwar has had to grapple with various hurdles and uncertainties in her journey as a first-generation graduate, her passion keeps her going. She enjoins STEM students and professionals to not give up too soon. Even in moments of doubt, “remember why you began and keep working toward your goals”, she says.

?? Help Shape Our Responsible Conduct of Research Seminar! ?? STEM for Development is gathering questions for an upcoming session on responsible research practices. We would love your input on topics like: -- Authorship -- Plagiarism -- Research Misconduct -- Collaborative Research If you have questions or faced challenges in these areas, please share your thoughts in this quick, anonymous survey (1-2 minutes). Your input will guide us in addressing key concerns! ?? https://lnkd.in/emtenHjR ? Deadline: Nov 9, 2024 ?? Drop your own experiences or questions in the comments, and please share this post to help us reach more researchers interested in fostering integrity in STEM!

This week, STEM for Development Office Hours will be held on Saturday, November 2 from 2-3pm GMT, featuring Oluwadamilola Salau, Nicholas Offei and Joe Adabouk Amooli. During Office Hours, STEM students are welcome to ask any questions on graduate school applications and STEM research/professional development. All are invited to join us at the following link: https://t.ly/Dmfhw You can also sign up to receive email reminders and calendar invitations for Office Hours at this link: https://t.ly/4AJKD For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website at stemfordevelopment.org!

Are you interested in a STEM career in industry and entrepreneurship? Join STEM for Development as we host Dr. Parthiban Vijayarangakannan, Founder and CEO of Svastia Genetics, Inc., and learn about his career journey, work on personalized cancer therapies, and advice on the pathway to STEM entrepreneurship. ?? Event Title: STEM Careers and Entrepreneurship in Health and Biological Sciences ??? Speaker: Dr. Parthiban Vijayarangakannan ??? Date: Saturday, November 9th ?? Time: 12 PM GMT Don't miss out! Secure your spot now: ?? Register here: t.ly/gvaJS ?? Join STEM for Development: t.ly/E9r5 Please share with your network! #STEMCareers #HealthTech #BiotechInnovation #CareerDevelopment #Biotechnology #STEMEducation